Friday, December 18, 2009

Temporary lighting installation

A construction site’s temporary electrical installation must also provide adequate lighting for the activities that are carried out at a particular workspace whether indoor or outdoor. Arguably more important than the light levels, the temporary lighting installation should be sufficiently safe for use and provided with adequate protection to prevent electrical shocks.

xxxxxxx RELATED PICTURES: High mast flood lighting | Temporary site floodlights  xxxxxx

1) Wire cages to prevent against mechanical damage should protect temporary light fittings at the construction sites. Damaged light fittings not only result in the repair cost, but they also present risks of electrical shocks to workers using them or those who are nearby. Precautions must be taken against the danger of electrical fires that because of damaged light fittings or the temporary supply wiring.

2) The temporary wiring supplying the lighting circuits should be connected to the special lighting section on the temporary switchboard. These circuits should be protected by 100 mA RCD (residual current circuit breakers).

3) Festoon lighting should only be used strictly in underground shafts, wells and tunnels. When this type of lights are used, the lamp holders should only be the moulded-on, non-removable type (the lamp holders are bonded or moulded to the wiring cables) and the lighting supply voltage is 32 Volts or below.

4) Either the temporary wiring or the newly installed permanent wiring may supply lift shaft temporary lighting. However, the light fittings used should be properly guarded against accidental mechanical damage and they should only be connected to the wiring using a lighting plug and socket. These lights should be installed at intervals of less than nine meters along the vertical length of the lift shaft. The control of the lift shaft lighting should be by means of two-way switches located near the shaft access points.

5) Normal duty lighting circuits are installed to provide general illumination for work and allow safe movement inside and around the construction site.

6) The installation of wiring for the temporary lighting should be carried out with proper supports and fittings to allow for wiring cables to be routed in ways that minimize obstructions, which can results in damage to the luminaries and wiring. These damages can present shock risks to the works and possibilities of electrical fires.

7) The use of lighting circuits supplied at safe extra low voltage levels (SELV - voltages less than 50 volts ac or 120 volts dc) is highly recommended for working in confined spaces where workers faces high possibilities of frequent contacts with temporary electrical equipment and wiring.

8) An illumination level of 10 lux is adequate for general movement within a building under construction. As an illustration, one length of 100 meter festoon light string fitted with 20 nos 100 watt lamps at 5 meter intervals will give a 10 lux over a rectangular area of 25 meter x 30 meter.

Read more on site electricity at this post, Temporary Electrical Installations.

You can also see a few pictures of site floodlight at this post,  Temporary site floodlights.



Copyright http://electricalinstallationblog.blogspot.com/ Temporary lighting installation

No comments: