Which Enclosure?

Hi Forum,

I'm looking for some advice regarding electrical enclosures for DIN modules. I need a enclosure with the same specs as the Clipsal 4FC75MFD but can take up to 30 DIN modules wide. I had thought of putting two 4FC75MFD's together but I don't have the required space.

On another note, is there any reason for the wide spacing between the rows of modules in the Clipsal units?

Looking for useful advice as black tape won't fix this one.

Steve

 

you could try Hager infinty range to get the 24 pole rows.

I prefer the clipsal boards you mentioned but two rows wide for dimmers you may have to use the Hager.

The main reason for the width is so you get plenty of room the terminated all those cable and allows some nice looming to be done in between dimmers etc.

Try terminating 80 odd cables in a standard flush mount of standard surfacemount board and you will see why the space is heaven

 

You could get a sheet metal worker to build one if you have the clipsal variant to copy and suggest what you want though I don't know if there are many that are aware of the standards that need to be adhered. But price wise shouldn't cost much more.


The one great thing about the clipsal panel is its removable door - be wary that the new standards are very precise in opening distances etc. Section 2.9


The only way my installation is within the standards is the removable door means I don't need to take that clearance into scope. The only thing that sucked is the MG cb's I use don't fit properly with the clipsal designed escutcheon depth.

 

Try ellsteel I think. 26 or 28 modules wide.

 

I have decided to get a switch box manufactured locally, but before I proceed is there anything I should be aware of in regards to Australian Standards, ideally a copy of AS relating to switch boxes would be great.

I?ve been quoted about $350.00 for a box 1000mm x 1000mm x 200mm with 5 rows of 30 DIN module cut outs. They would manufacture the enclosure from 2mm aluminium with a lockable door.

Steve

 

Steve,

You can download a copy here http://www.saiglobal.com/shop/Script/Details.asp?DocN=AS0733783910AT



For just $113.40...

 

While there is a thread on switchboards.. i have a question.

is there any boards out there that will take 2 cbus relays or dimmer modules in width ( side by side) that still have the earth and neutral bars in them?? ie;

|----------------|
| Dimmer Dimmer |

not

|-------|
| Relay |
| Relay |


As in you are doing a Cbus install that requires minimum:
4 x 12 channel relays
2 x dsi dimmers
1 x pci
and room for expansion....

and find the largest clipsal enclusure ( unless im wrong, and i dont have teh model number on me a.t.m. ) only takes a max of
3 x relays
2 x dsi dimmers
1 x pci

and anything else requires another board to be installed to accommodate any extra addons down the track.

 

Custom is definatley the way to go especially if you have a lot of equipment and space becomes tight. It is also great for odd shape locations as well.
Nine times out of ten it work out cheaper to custom build than to buy off the shelf once you require more than 2 large enclosures. Be prepared to spend some time designing and working out the logistics if it is your first one.
Get to know your local sheetmetal worker or air con duct manufacturers as they have all of the gear and know how to make what you require at surprisingly good price. Some of the ones i have seen were powder coated and finished up looking really smick & professional.
And believe it or not sometime times real cash can be benificial to both parties

 

Hager infinity 24 poles wide
Hager infinity 24 poles wide
Hager infinity 24 poles wide

It may solve your problem

 

Why does he need 3 of them???

 

I've started designing what I hope will be a suitable enclosure, 7 rows of 30DIN and will include Neutral and Earth Link Bars in the enclosure. My question is, how many 1.5mm and 2.5mm stranded wires can be terminated in each 5.5mm tunnel of a link bar. As looking at the number of wires to be terminiated could make for a very large link bar (a minimum of 80 Neutral and 80 Earth).





Disclaimer
I am not a electrician, I do have a electrician supplied by the builder, they will be doing all the termination of the LV connections.

Thanks

Steve

 

You don't want a neutral link with 80 tunnels, you want multiple neutral links. And the preference would be one wire one tunnel.

One unprotected neutral link if the RCD's are is in the same enclosure, and a protected neutral link for each Din rail unit that can fit in.

If you have three 12 Channel relays, two 8 CH dimmers, each powered from their own RCD and you have home run all lights, then a neutral for each channel will be needed, plus the neutral for the supply from the RCD and if a dimmer, one for the dimmer as well (13 for a relay, 10 for a dimmer).

Now find enough room for all of this, especially if its a metal board and you have to raise the bars of the enclosure. This is the predicament that I am in with a 4C48fD enclosure - not enough room for all the neutral bars. I am actually thinking of going with a din rail mounted terminal.

Just some food for thought.

Where are you going to mount this, it is huge. If flush mount in a timber stud wall, you will be modifying the wall to get it in as stud are not spaced that wide apart (450mm - 600mm max) and you want plenty of room around the units for wiring. Your sparky will curse you if you make it very tight.

How much heat will be generated with 14 din rail units all running in that enclosure - hopefully not enough to overheat them. A well spaced out enclosure will have a larger volume to allow heat dissipation - you get where I am going.

Mick

 

Thanks for the info Mick, most helpful and opened my eyes to the difficulties in cabling a compact switchboard.

I've spent the best part of two days looking at ways to terminate a minimum of 25 Protected Neutrals (I assume protected side of RCD, two relays per DIN rail plus RCD). One idea was to have two BPM165/12's side by side with one higher than the other mounted at the end of the DIN rail, would be very tight. Another option was multiple DIN mounted 7 or 12 way BusBars mounted on the top and bottom DIN rails.



These particular ones come with either a green or blue base which could be used for Earth and Neutral.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Steve

 

custom made board

(pic attached) this is a custom made board that we had made for a job. A bit of effort went in to the design but the finished product worked well. This board also contained one of the sub boards for the residence which included essential and non essential supplied

 

What are these and where did you find them? Some part numbers etc would be great

Thanks

Mick

 

They are made by Entrelec and marketed by ABB and sold in your local RS Components store.

ABB Link http://library.abb.com/global/scot/...NC160001C0207-CH-G Distribution terminals.pdf

Page 386

Having a look at ABB they have a few other nice DIN connectors to, the ones on page 393 could also be suitable.

RS Link http://australia.rs-online.com/web/...matchallpartial&N=4294864576+4294959468&Nty=1

RS Part No. 383-1526 less than $10.00 each.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

Upate

This is what I've finally come up with, after searching high and low for a suitable enclosure I decided to get one manufactured at a local metal shop. As you can see its still a work in progress (as are most things I do), but its heading in the right direction. Still have room for PAC and other bits. There is a panel covering the modules and a lockable door which is normally fitted.

Steve

 

Hi Steve

Well done!

Thanks for sharing your solution with us.