anchoring switchgear

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mcelweec@gmail.com

CMAC1
Location
NYC
Occupation
Electrician
first post.i have a line of switchgear, consisting of 2000a utility section,2000a mcb, and two section distribution.This line is 15ft long and weighs in excess of 6,000lbs.The ahj is questioning anchoring requirements for this equipment.
My question is,is freestanding equipment required to be anchored .Btw i am working in NJ and the ahj are unbelievably meticulous so code references are appreciated.BTW this came up today[saturday] and hinged on a cut card .
 
You may not get a code ref out of the NEC, but I'm sure one can be found in other building codes - if you know what one you're on, I'm sure someone can site you one. Just as well so can the one who is hitting you on it.... And should have sited it when he/she did.

Sometimes I actually need an engineer (Structural) to wave a hand at the install, and sometimes I don't.

Any easy retrofit BTW is use of epoxied 3/8"+ anchor bolts. (If approved)

I also recently found out on the discovery channel that NYC was in a seizmic zone.
http://ecmweb.com/mag/electric_switchgear_shakeup_specify_2/
 
The requirement may be in the instructions for the unit itself....thus 110.3(B) would be the article.
 
e57 said:
You may be right about that as a 'catch all' - but I am sure the UBC has something on it. Couldn't tell you what....
Click to expand...

110.3(B) is cheap...but certainly effective.


Every piece of gear I ever set, has been bolted down ~ inside or outside application.

The easiest one by far was when we set some strut in the pad [prior to pour]...spring nuts, bolts and done!
 
mcelweec@gmail.com said:
first post.i have a line of switchgear, consisting of 2000a utility section,2000a mcb, and two section distribution.This line is 15ft long and weighs in excess of 6,000lbs.The ahj is questioning anchoring requirements for this equipment.
My question is,is freestanding equipment required to be anchored .Btw i am working in NJ and the ahj are unbelievably meticulous so code references are appreciated.BTW this came up today[saturday] and hinged on a cut card .
Click to expand...

I always anchored switchgear, transformers, etc. regardless of the weight/size of the equipment. I know it seems that this stuff couldn't possibly move because it is so heavy. see Art. 110.13(A)
 
celtic said:
The requirement may be in the instructions for the unit itself....thus 110.3(B) would be the article.
Click to expand...

It is, the installation manual has details about anchoring that if not done correctly can void the waranty on the gear. Make sure you do it right because chances are a testing company will be hirined to come in after you and check everything , they find anything wrong and you will be coming back out there.
 
Well we look at the submitals & cut sheets that come with the gear say Sq D or G E and it shows you a floor plan with measurements to do just that anchor it .we do it on every install with 3/8 anchors and 3/8 nuts and washers kind of a common deal and drill into the old house keeping pad . transformers are on spring supports but gear is bolted down tight . best to ya
 
It should be said that 3/8" bolts or whatever the gears instructions say is an absolute minimum. For seismic bracing I have had to do much, much more. Braces, and bolting to the walls and ceilings, oversized bolts cast into the slab, and even reinforcing the slab itself (NIC - by others). But thats out here in quake land. Even though it may have taken a crane and riggers to get the cab in place, if a quake hits it may just hop away.
 
I'd be all about anchoring the gear down with some 4" long X 1/2" qwik bolts (Redheads), or whatever 110.3(B) had for recommendation/requirement.

Failing that, see what seismic area you live in, and plan from there. Where I come from, it's a 4. Home of the big ones, so maybe I see things a bit different than you...

earthquakes10-4x3.jpg

1964 on 4th Ave.
I was only 7, but remember it like it was yesterday.​
 
Rockyd said:
I'd be all about anchoring the gear down with some 4" long X 1/2" qwik bolts (Redheads), or whatever 110.3(B) had for recommendation/requirement.

Failing that, see what seismic area you live in, and plan from there. Where I come from, it's a 4. Home of the big ones, so maybe I see things a bit different than you...

earthquakes10-4x3.jpg

1964 on 4th Ave.
I was only 7, but remember it like it was yesterday.​
Click to expand...

Didn't that quake cause a tsunami that hit the Organ/Washington coast ?
 
Talking about this -


he news of the December 26 tsunami had special resonance for residents of Crescent City, California. Their waterfront town of about 7,500 was devastated when a tsunami swept in from the Pacific Ocean early on March 28, 1964. The business district was leveled, and 11 people were killed.

Whole story.

Proves how important it is to prepare electrical equipment for service. Out east, proper hold down may stop/reduce damage during a tornado. Who knows what our electrical work may have to experience?
 
i do agree with the responses to this post,what i cant figure out, is why the manufacturer has made no provisions for anchors.i have also received additional floor mounted equipment with no provisions for anchoring.e.g a ups line up on 4 inch pedestals.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top