Interpretation ID: aiam0313
Automotive Products Division
Allied Chemical Corporation
353 Cass Avenue
Mount Clemens
MI 48043;
Dear Mr. Lewis: This is in reply to your letter of March 24, 1971, requesting ou interpretation of S4.5.2 of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208. You have asked whether the requirement of S4.5.2 that 'all electrical circuits' must be monitored would mean that a bridgewire circuit in an electroexplosive device would have to be monitored. Our answer is that such a circuit must be monitored, although it should be noted that monitoring need not be continuous, but may be designed to occur, for example, only when the ignition is in the 'start' position.; Your letter points out several potential problems with the inclusion o such a bridgewire circuit among the monitored systems. We are giving consideration to the self-monitoring requirement in the light of the comments we have received, with a view to possible amendments that may be found advisable.; Sincerely, Lawrence R. Schneider, Acting Chief Counsel