Lighting Panel for Control Tower

[timm333]

We have a control tower of a small airport, it looks something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/familyman5k/2122174841/

There is a room at the top which does not have brick walls at all, it has all glass windows. So we cannot put the lighting panel in the top room. Can we place the lighting panel outdoors at the bottom underneath the stairs on ground level? The problem with putting it outdoors is that it will not be safe to open it if it is raining. Please let me know ideas...

 

[hillbilly1]

You shouldn't have to open it that much, especially in the rain, unless you are using the breakers as switches, if so install contactors, and mount control switches up in the tower.

 

[Smart $]

We have a control tower of a small airport, it looks something like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/familyman5k/2122174841/

There is a room at the top which does not have brick walls at all, it has all glass windows. So we cannot put the lighting panel in the top room. Can we place the lighting panel outdoors at the bottom underneath the stairs on ground level? The problem with putting it outdoors is that it will not be safe to open it if it is raining. Please let me know ideas...

You sure can put it outside. It's not all that rare. The panel must be listed for outdoor use.

An alternative to consider is putting it in the top room mounted to strut space out from and secured to top and bottom of the glass framework, or use strut "feet" secured to the floor.

 

[timm333]

Is it ok in NEC to put the panel outside? My concern is that if someone gets electrocuted, and the main breaker needs to be shut off, then it might not be safe to open the panel door if it is already raining outside.

 

[Smart $]

Is it ok in NEC to put the panel outside? My concern is that if someone gets electrocuted, and the main breaker needs to be shut off, then it might not be safe to open the panel door if it is already raining outside.

While I cannot say opening the panel door in the rain is just as safe as during dry weather, I will say that I don't believe the danger is as imminent as you are making it sound. Typical outdoor use panel covers hinge upward, keeping rain [unless blowing sideways] out of the panel.

 

[timm333]

Ok that makes sense. Will it be ok to put the panel in the top room on a strut-channel support, the support is secured to the floor only (the top of the strut-channel support is not secured at all) ?

 

[jeremysterling]

Is it ok in NEC to put the panel outside?

Yes, see 312.2.

My concern is that if someone gets electrocuted, and the main breaker needs to be shut off, then it might not be safe to open the panel door if it is already raining outside.

I'm with Smart $ on this one. You could ride the "what if" scenarios all the way to:

It is a raining, at night, airplane with empty fuel tank on landing approach, electrocuted cow with hoof stuck in runway lighting socket, can't find the umbrella...

 

[BJ Conner]

Murphys Law.

Murphys Law.

While I cannot say opening the panel door in the rain is just as safe as during dry weather, I will say that I don't believe the danger is as imminent as you are making it sound. Typical outdoor use panel covers hinge upward, keeping rain [unless blowing sideways] out of the panel.

Put a weather proof plywood on the inside of the tower. Build a roof that sticks out about 2'
Water won't run into the panel if it's outdoor rated? That's not always true. Even if it didn't run in the panel it will run on you. Things like this never need attention except on bright sunny days. <%^)]

 

[Smart $]

Will it be ok to put the panel in the top room on a strut-channel support, the support is secured to the floor only (the top of the strut-channel support is not secured at all) ?

Yes (as long as it provides sturdy support ).

 

[Smart $]

Water won't run into the panel if it's outdoor rated? That's not always true. Even if it didn't run in the panel it will run on you. Things like this never need attention except on bright sunny days. <%^)]

I didn't say water. I said rain, and I even included a disclaimer for torrential rain.

Rain getting on a person will obviously increase their conductivity. :blink:

One would think outdoor-use-listed panels have been tested for safe operation in the rain.

 

[jumper]

You could ride the "what if" scenarios all the way...

 

[Cmdr_Suds]

Hey, I have been in one of those towers. The one I was in had a toilet with no walls or anything to help protect your modesty. Does that one?

 

[hillbilly1]

Hey, I have been in one of those towers. The one I was in had a toilet with no walls or anything to help protect your modesty. Does that one?

Would be a good idea to be able to keep an eye on air traffic if there was only one controller on duty! Nobody could see you without binoculars anyway, and the pilots couldn't see you either unless they buzzed the tower, which is frowned upon by the FAA.

 

[timm333]

No we don't have a toilet, lol...

 

[steve66]

You need a 3'x30" clear space in front of the panel for working space.

Maybe there would be room for a column width panelboard.

 

[BJ Conner]

The real "What If"

The real "What If"

The real what if is when the owner has to climb down the tower and reset a breaker in a driving rain. Or he keep rolling his chair into a panel sticking up out of the floor. Following the NEC doesn't prevent stupid. The real what if is when the owner say "Who is the dumb %&xx@## who did this &%$x@@ job? ? I wouldn't call them again to change a cover plate on a receptical. "

 

[ActionDave]

You need a 3'x30" clear space in front of the panel for working space.

Maybe there would be room for a column width panelboard.

FWIW my experience working air traffic control towers consists of exactly one. The inspectors worked for the FAA. At the very top of the list of things they did not care about at all was NEC requirements concerning work space.