Equivariant embeddings of principal Z-bundles into complex vector bundles

Let π: E→X be a principal $\text{Z}$_n-bundle and p:V→X an m-dimensional complex vector bundle over, say, a connected CW-complex X. An equivariant embedding of π into p is an embedding h:E → V commuting with projections such that h(e · z)=zh(e) for all eεE and $\text{zε}\text{Z}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{?S}{}^1\text{?}\text{Z}$. We compute the primary obstruction $\text{cεH}{}^{\mathrm{2m}}\text{(X;}\text{Z}\text{)}$ to embedding π equivariantly into p. If dim X?2m, then c=0 if and only if π admits an equivariant embedding into p. If dim X>2m and π embeds equivariantly into p, then c=0. Other embedding criteria exist in case p is the trivial m-plane bundle ε^m. We use these criteria for a discussion of the classification of the equivalence classes of principal $\text{Z}$-bundles that admit equivariant embeddings into ε^m. Finally, we offer an example of a principal $\text{Z}$-bundle that admit an ordinary but not an equivariant embedding into ε¹.