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Airbus 313VU left speaker
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 This article is about the 313VU left speaker panel of an Airbus A340 airplane. This isn't the most spectacular part of the cockpit, but it is a part of the cockpit. My findings an reverse engineering is shown below.
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 The 313VU left speaker panel is a rather simple panel. (Especially compared to the hydraulic, fire and electricity panel...) There isn't even backlighting applicable. It's 'just' a panel with a loudspeaker, a illuminated push button, a connector, an interconnection block and some wiring. It's noted that the final result is rather 'lean' but reliable designed. Compared to military equipment it's clear to see that low weight is more important. Interesting is that the used connector pins are gold plated. The not connected (dummy) pins are not gold plated. Since circular connector contacts are expensive this is a wise choice. It seems that it's cheaper to stock two different pins than to use the same more expensive pins... This is the left speaker panel. The right one is rather similar and is recognised by the number 314VU.
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 The speaker panel has a little dust on it so I planned to clean everything. I dismantled the panel and a lot of dust became visible as shown om the image. With a dry paintbrush, a vacuum leaner and some compressed air the dust was removed. The metal parts were cleaned with a cloth and some alcohol so every bit is cleaned. After cleaning everything is assembled again. Shiny fresh like new.
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Of all the Airbus panel parts I reverse engineered, this was the first. The schematic isn't that complex, but it did took some time to draw the schematic. Every part has an identifier label like the switch, connector and wire loom. Even the ground bonding point has an identifier label. After measuring the connections of the illuminated button, the internal routing was documented. There's also a interconnection block used. Therefore it's possible to link wires without having to fit multiple wires to one connector pin. This is one of the things I learned about avionics. The idea to fit only one wire to each connection point is brilliant. The result is much 'cleaner' and more reliable. This makes reverse engineering also much easier.
I think the drawing is rather self explaining...
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It's noted that every part has it's own identifier number. The final assembly is marked with the F925 10170 000 00 code. But also the rubber gasket, front panel and stand-offs are marked with a F925 number. This indicates that this is professionally designed and used equipment.
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Every panel has an identification number. In this case the identification is 313VU. Also is *AV307* mentioned on every panel of the cockpit like the overhead panels. It's likely that *AV307* is de identification of the original airplane the panel was installed in.
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 There's a warning light/switch installed in the left speaker panel. When the light is activated, the following message can be read: "PULL UP" in red and "GWPS" in yellow/orange. GWPS is the abbreviation for Ground Warning Protection System. So when this indicator is illuminated, the aircraft protection system detects that the airplane is too low. And therefore the pilot needs to pull up as suggested by the yellow/orange text. The button can be pushed so it's likely when pushed, the warning is reset.
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The 313VU speaker panel location in the Airbus A340-500 is indicated in the image below.
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