Outdoor Power
The power of the great outdoors
Jake Green, head of technical engagement at Scolmore Group, examines some of the factors to be considered when installing equipment outdoors.
A
s with all electrical installation designs, it is important that the installer takes due account of a range of factors, including amongst other things, nature of demand, environmental conditions, type of wiring and method of installation as detailed in Regulation Group 132.
Environmental factors
Any equipment installed must be fit for purpose. To ensure that any installed equipment is fit for purpose the designer/installer must select equipment that conforms to a suitable British or Harmonised Standard (133.1.1). This requirement does not preclude the use of equipment outside the scope of its standard, however where this is the case, the installer must confirm that the equipment meets the same degree of safety as that afforded by compliance with the Regulations (133.1.3).
In addition to these basic requirements, the installer must account for the environmental factors which are likely to prevail. Where equipment is installed outside, the factors to consider will include: • Variations in temperature • Variations in humidity • Ingress of moisture • Effects of flora and fauna • Effects of radiation (direct sunlight) • Vibration • Access to ordinary persons. Appendix 5 of BS 7671 provides details of environmental factors.
Installation
As with all installation work, good workmanship by skilled or instructed persons and proper materials must be used in the erection of the installation (134.1.1). The installer must take due account of manufacturers’ instructions, and although such instructions are not regulatory, where such equipment is used outside of its scope it is unlikely that any warranty will apply. The proper function of any equipment installed must not be impaired by the installation process. For example, an IP rating of IP66 only
24 | electrical wholesalerJuly 2023
“Rats and mice can gnaw through cables and also gain access to relatively small spaces… birds can damage equipment through defecating and nesting.”
applies where no damage has occurred to the device.
Section 522 (Selection and erection of wiring systems in relation to external influences) details particular requirements relative to the external influence.
Any equipment selected for installation must
be capable of safe operation for the highest and lowest ambient temperature likely to be encountered. In the UK this is likely to vary from one part of the country to another, however temperatures as low as -15 °C and +40 °C are to be expected (522.1.1). It is of note that for outdoor lighting installations, Regulation
ewnews.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
