Steel Processing, Forging,
Quarrying/Aggregates, Mining
Operations (Heavy Industry)
• Extreme or continuous vibration
is often a consideration in
these environments, not just
in process areas, but also
in adjacent buildings
and structures.
• Industrial heating equipment,
such as furnaces and dryers,
can create temperature extremes
that will quickly destroy cabling
and compromise equipment
in data enclosures if the
appropriate heat zones
and maximum temperatures
are not identified.
• Processes that result in the
continuous production of dust
make enclosure selection and
cooling options key. Enclosures
should be at least NEMA 12
rated, and cooling fans
(although they may be initially
functional) are usually a poor
long-term choice. Unless fans
are inspected and filters replaced
regularly, they actually become
a liability instead of an asset,
ultimately allowing more dust
into an enclosure due to poor
maintenance. Air purge can be
a good choice if plant air is
available, since very little air is
24 I ICT TODAY
required to maintain a positive
pressure within a sealed
enclosure. However, be sure the
air is dry, and as a precaution,
install a hose inside the cabinet
such that if moisture does
become evident, it is directed
to an area where it would not
cause damage.
INSTALLER
CONSIDERATIONS
Most ICT communications
installation professionals are well
equipped with the skills, techniques,
and efficiencies that are required
to perform installations in the
commercial business and
institutional spaces, but for many,
the factory floor is foreign territory.
Differences include:
• Workplace safety, food safety
(and other industry specific
work protocols)
• Physical topologies that deviate
from the standard hierarchical star
• Different connector types
to terminate and test
• Different materials used for
pathways, hazardous areas,
and unique grounding
and bonding challenges
Workplace safety in production
and manufacturing facilities is
extensive and stringent. It is
becoming more common that
companies require third party safety
compliance before a contractor
is approved to perform work. With
or without the requirement for third
party compliance, additional
training may very well be needed
to ensure installers understand how
to recognize, assess, and mitigate
the safety risks in these varied
environments. When considering
safety, one primary difference for
installers is the physical location
of the device outlet. Most outlets
are required within enclosures that
also contain open electrical
apparatus typically only accessible
to qualified electrical personnel.
If an installer is not deemed
qualified to work within these
enclosures, this can pose
a significant challenge. One option
is to power down and lock out
power to these enclosures, but many
facilities do not have this luxury
due to the significant impact this
would have on production. How
then can the infrastructure be
installed and terminated into
these spaces without affecting
production? The only option is
to hire qualified electricians
and train them with the
communications infrastructure
The challenges encountered when installing a grounding/bonding system
within an industrial environment are prevalent due to the dynamic
nature of the electrical distribution and control systems.