Outdoor Power
Overcoming the risks of outdoor power
Jake Green, technical engagement manager, Scolmore Group, considers the risk factors associated with supplying electrical energy to outdoor equipment.
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t has long been recognised that there are additional risks associated with supplying electrical energy to outdoor equipment. The physical risks include, amongst others, variations in temperature and solar radiation, presence of water and high humidity, presence of corrosive substances, impact and vibration. Additionally, there is a very real increased risk from electric shock, as a person is more likely to be in simultaneous contact with the equipment and general mass of Earth. Such risks can be mitigated with the correct installation practices, accessories, and equipment.
Environmental risks The designer/installer of the electrical installation 28 | electrical wholesaler July 2022
is required to select an installation method such that protection against expected external influences is provided in all appropriate parts of the wiring system (522). To this end the designer/ installer must factor into their design all relevant external influences as well as simply selecting the correct size and type of cable.
For electrical equipment selected for use outdoors the external influences are varied. Ambient temperature – Regulation 522.1.2 states that wiring system components, including cables and wiring accessories, shall only be installed within the limits stated in the relevant product information given by the manufacturer. It is important that due account is taken of the technical information supplied by a manufacturer. For example, the OVIA lighting technical specification for the Centuri LED wall light states that the critical operating temperature is within the range -20 °C to +50 °C. The installer of the product must ensure that during normal operation these limits are not exceeded.
Presence of water – Regulation Group 522.3 details the requirements of BS 7671
ewnews.co.uk
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