Seismic Panel: Special Features

It would be for use in earthquake zones. I don't know what the requirements are, except robustness.

Can the author of the document be asked?

There is plenty of information available but it is very location and usage specific; i.e., if your panel is for a nuclear power plant then the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), or the local equivalent, has jurisdiction; if it's a military installation then the DoD (Dept of Defense) has engineering guidelines; ditto for certain areas in California.

Contact your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) then hire a an experienced engineering consultant, this is not a job for the inexperienced.

A typical Seismic Control Panel connects to acceleromters that sense vibrations and earth movements and activate automatic valves and other things to provide for safety. The panel itself is designed to be immune the vibration and shaking.

I sincerely thank all the participants. The seismic panel has to withstand certain vibrations. What I mean to ask is, to withstand those vibrations what is actually required to be done different from standard panels? The specific questions could be as below

Are following things acceptable in seismic panels?

1. DIN Rail / channel mounted components.

2. Contactors and relays.

2. PLC components.

3. Pin type ( boot lace type) wiring lugs.

4.MCBs / MCCBs

5.Switchfuse / Fuseswitch units.

etc etc.

In the technical specifications of these components I do not find any reference to seismic withstanding capabilities.

The two issues under consideration are mechanical shock and vibration.

I have never heard of the components you list being certified against vibration.

The panel as a complete unit must be isolated against mechanical shock and vibration.

That leaves you to consider the methods available to mount the panel eg flexibles wherever possible, the panel base-mount designed to damp vibration etc..

Only your creativity limits the design, but I would suggest wireless connections between the sensors and panel, which should be located as remotely as possible from the fault/ impact area. Then you need to consider a Master Panel connected wirelessly to one/ more local control panels, with real time interface. Should your local panel be destroyed, you would have information until that moment. Think Black Box at all times...

I thank Mr.Hilton. The important issue in this is making the panel as a whole to withstand the shocks and vibrations of earthquake. The individual components do not take into account seismic vibrations ( or any vibrations for that matter) in their design specs.

I once again thank all the participants.

Hi,

I just begin to follow this conversation. What it important to well understand is te differents between a home made LV panel and a tested panel regarding the sismics contrains. If you use a tested panel this one has been tested including all the most unfavorable configuration with all the devices, the busbars, links, and so on. During the test we check if there is no openings on each devices, no mechanical problem on the frame, supports, doors...Only few people havethe experience and can imagine the impact of a seismic contrains. I let you a link where we can see the test. And as usual video is better as long conversation...regards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQHBpXbmxZs