Date: 201304
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Central Computer
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician; Inspector
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Other Paperwork Audit
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Manuals; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Manuals

Narrative: This statement is in response to an inquiry/notification as to how/why the wrong Part Number (P/N) for a Centralized Fault Display Interface Unit (CFDIU) was installed on an A320 aircraft. When I was assigned to work on the A320; there was a chronic non-routine load to change the CFDIU as a precautionary step to help troubleshoot an intermittent fault message. The part number was listed; and the part was shown as ordered and ready for pickup. When I removed the existing unit and unboxed the new unit it was apparent that the new part was not the same as the one being replaced. I then went to the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) for the aircraft type; (A320); to verify that the part number for the new unit was in fact correct for that aircraft. The applicable section for the IPC was anything but clear; because of the numerous notes re: revisions; parts shown as being forward and backward interchangeable; numbers superseded; and being pre-modification (pre-mod.); post-mod.; etc.  After reviewing the available information; I determined that the part in question was acceptable to use on that aircraft. The part was installed per the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and the required Operational (Ops) Check was performed and passed. The company has since informed me that I was incorrect in my determination that the part in question was applicable to that particular aircraft. I have also been informed that the IPC which was in use at the time was in fact; incorrect; but has now been corrected.In retrospect; it seems that a combination of factors including: unfamiliarity with fleet type; unfamiliarity with the merged air carrier's manuals; maintenance records and procedures; as well as errors in the manual system itself; contributed to the inadvertent error. Although I realize and understand that as the installing Technician; I am ultimately responsible for installing the correct part.The incorrect part has already been replaced during subsequent maintenance. [I] have spoken with company officials regarding the events and contributing factors.

Callback: Reporter stated the way the merged air carrier's Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) references for the CFDIU was worded; almost made no part acceptable as a replacement. Although the IPC has been corrected; he was given time-off for a discrepancy involving multiple factors that he did not have control over.



Synopsis: A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports he installed an incorrect Centralized Fault Display Interface Unit (CFDIU) in an A320 that had chronic; intermittent fault messages. The CFDIU had passed all required Operational Tests. The merged air carrier's Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) was found to be confusing with incorrect reference data.