Spelsberg's AKi range of modular IP65 junction boxes have been used by Andromeda Telematics Ltd to produce a wide range of automated building control systems for Heathrow T5.
Building control expert, Andromeda Telematics Ltd, has used Spelsberg's AKi range of modular junction boxes to produce a wide range of automated building control systems for Heathrow T5. The boxes easily attach in any configuration using innovative connecting bars, allowing the company to use one range of enclosures to produce a wide variety of smart bespoke control gear quickly, while maintaining a high ingress protection rating of IP65.
The Andromeda system will control over 125,000 light fittings with automated emergency light testing, live status and fault monitoring facilities. Toilet alarms and other LV equipment are also being interfaced with the system, hence a variety of termination, switching, controllers and circuit protection is being installed in each enclosure. Escalators and travelators in concourses A and B are also monitored, as is the multi-storey car park and the Energy Centre. All the control panel and monitoring interface enclosures are Spelsberg AKi polycarbonate units, and over 700 of the 600 x 300mm units have been installed so far.
Senior Project Engineer, Graham Boaler, comments: "Andromeda adopted a modular approach to the control panel design. The AKi range looks and feels like a high-quality enclosure, which is desirable in a high-profile project such as Heathrow T5. It is the flexibility and speed of assembly that really made the difference to us, providing the ability to expand a panel to suit the application. All panels are built off-site in our workshop and delivered to site to be installed by the construction teams and, to date, not a single panel has been damaged, which is testimony to the robust construction of the AKi unit."
Assembling Spelsberg's tough polycarbonate AKi boxes to create a bespoke control system is a quick and flexible process allowing the connection of anything up to 14 enclosures in one panel. Once the panel has been designed, boxes are positioned, cable gland knockouts and square joining holes are matched up, punched out and then assembled using connection bars. The bars are then fixed using wedge-shaped pins that exert a pulling action against a pre-cut adhesive gasket as they push into position, forcing the two units together and sealing the boxes to IP65.
The wedge pins feature a notch and groove system that provides a fixed location point, standardising the force required to join the boxes and allowing units to be easily dismantled for use in different configurations. This enables any required extension or upgrade to be assembled at Andromeda and its engineers to arrive on site with a new module and, in a matter of minutes, securely integrate it into an existing panel. "This has saved both us and our customers time and money", comments Graham Boaler. "The AKi range is also aesthetically appealing; it often encourages our clients to replace their existing switch cabinet with a matching Spelsberg one!"
Enclosure bodies in the AKi range are supplied with four standard side lengths of 150, 300, 450 and 600mm and four different base sizes. Base depths are 132mm as standard and the three largest models in the range are available with an optional depth of 210mm, ensuring that junction boxes can be assembled in almost any shape or size. Units are available with smooth sidewalls and are complemented by a choice of polycarbonate cable glands and lids in either grey or transparent plastic.
AKi units comply with VDE 0660 0507 standards, making them excellent for use in environments where exposure to harsh weather, washdowns, chemicals, accidental knocks and contact with flames may occur. The AKi series forms part of a range of enclosures that consists of over 300 different models, making it what is claimed to be the widest selection of plastic enclosures available ex-stock in the UK. Spelsberg UK's headquarters are centrally located in Telford, providing customers with immediate access to technical support and next day delivery on all standard items.
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