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Temporary routing of cables

Temporary routing of cables

Temporary routing of cables

(OP)
We need to run temporary cables (less than 12 months) from a 13.8kv transformet to a 13.8 kv bus. It will be outside where people need to travel. We are proposing building a tray with a cover out of treated lumber to protect the cables. the cables are 2- 2000 mcm per phase.

any thoughts?

RE: Temporary routing of cables

Yes, a very bad idea. You can't be serious!

12 months will not qualify as "temporary' period in most jurisdictions in the USA. I am not sure where are you located. How would you feel crossing live 13.8 kV cables every day?

 

Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com

RE: Temporary routing of cables

Overhead might be the way to go for this.  A steel gantry and a few porcelain insulators can be quickly and inexpensively fabricated.  Other wise you need to bury them deep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
If it is broken, fix it.  If it isn't broken, I'll soon fix that.

RE: Temporary routing of cables

And remember, most AHJs have been around for a long time and have seen so called "temporary installations" that remained year after year. You may need a compelling reason to convince the AHJ that an installation will be removed/changed before the end of the stated period, despite economic downturns. I saw an instance where a fire marshal threatened to close a major transit terminal because the time allowed under a temporary permit had been exceeded. The facility operators believed him and spent big bucks meeting the final deadline. It would have been much cheaper to complete the work in a timely manner.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

RE: Temporary routing of cables

Hard to say without more information, but I share the concerns of the others.  If this is an area accessible to the public, then absolutely not.  If it subject to a lot of foot traffic of plant staff, probably not a good idea.

You might consider use of armored cable, such as CLX.  This could be run overhead, or attached to the side of the building, or direct buried.  

 

David Castor
www.cvoes.com

RE: Temporary routing of cables

You don't say the type of cable. I would not want some jury-rigged wood structure where it is exposed to general public. Spend the extra for listed cable tray and proper support structures. Many types of cable can be direct buried if that's an option.

Alan
"The engineer's first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is." Unk.

RE: Temporary routing of cables

Are the people "general public" or power plant employees?  If they are the latter they may be considered "trained" and you can make your installation less intense that building it over a public sidewali downtown.
First forget the wood. Us cable tray (It's listed and you won't have the problems you would with wood.  Froom your name I assume it's in some installation (like a power plant where the NEC doesn't apply and you won't have any code inspectors.
REad NFPA 70 E very carefully. The NESC also has sections that apply.  There are clearences to maintain and you have to baracade sections of the installation.  Depending on your organization you may have a safey department that will (should if they know what their doing) review your job.  
If there are no code inspections you can build it any way you want.
That is until you have an accident and hurt someone, start a fire or damage equipent. After OSHA and your insurance company investigate you may find you insurance company won't pay and the company may face a big fine.  If someone is injured or killed you could be named as a defendant in criminal and/or civil proceedings

RE: Temporary routing of cables

(OP)
Thanks for the input, more information is that we are going to baricade the area where this wood tray will be.  It will be marked "DANGER" AND barriers will prevent people (mostly security and operationd would go in this area) from stepping on or getting within a foot or two of the tray.  

RE: Temporary routing of cables

Do you have a "Safe Limits of Approach" policy in place? It's usually more than "A foot or two" for 13.8kV.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

RE: Temporary routing of cables

"from stepping on or getting within a foot or two of the tray"
Check with your campany HR dept.  See if they will defend you in court.

Have you conisdered putting it underground?

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