Published:
16 May 2003
Category:
News
Power supplies to the 300 plus computer work-stations in a new administrative facility at the Wellingborough, Northants, headquarters of the major computer products supplier, Misco, are protected against earthing problems using specially designed desk uni
Many computers produce a small current in the earth conductor and in certain earth fault conditions this will produce a potential difference between the earth in the computer and ground, leading to metal casing becoming live. The IEE Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2001) have been revised to provide appropriate protection through high integrity earthing.
High integrity earthing can be provided in different ways. One of these is through the use of socket outlets with two earthing terminals, which are standard in Ackermann floor boxes. Another is to use individual socket outlets supplied by a busbar system to comply with 607-02-04 of the IEE Regulations (BS7671:2001 Section 601), which is the method used in the Misco installation. It was considered that safety would be enhanced if the dual earth sockets were at desk level, fed by duplicate leads from the tap-offs, the leads being built into the desks. Connections in the floor boxes are made via individually fused Wieland connectors.
Over 1km of Ackermann Interact underfloor power track is installed in the Misco facility, comprising 326 x 3.6m lengths, 16 x 2.4m lengths and 15 x 1.2m lengths of track. There are 98 floor boxes each with four outlets serving 336 tap offs, one for each of the 336 desks. Consultant for the Omega project, as it was called, was the Rolton Group and the contractor, E7 Contracting Ltd, of Earls Barton, Northampton.
Misco products supplied from the Wellingborough premises include desktop and notebook PCs, printers, modems, monitors, software, accessories and furniture. Established in 1985, Misco has an annual turnover in the UK of over £85million. It is part of the US based Systemax Inc company which has an annual turnover in excess of $1.75billion.
Ackermann is a Novar group company.
High integrity earthing can be provided in different ways. One of these is through the use of socket outlets with two earthing terminals, which are standard in Ackermann floor boxes. Another is to use individual socket outlets supplied by a busbar system to comply with 607-02-04 of the IEE Regulations (BS7671:2001 Section 601), which is the method used in the Misco installation. It was considered that safety would be enhanced if the dual earth sockets were at desk level, fed by duplicate leads from the tap-offs, the leads being built into the desks. Connections in the floor boxes are made via individually fused Wieland connectors.
Over 1km of Ackermann Interact underfloor power track is installed in the Misco facility, comprising 326 x 3.6m lengths, 16 x 2.4m lengths and 15 x 1.2m lengths of track. There are 98 floor boxes each with four outlets serving 336 tap offs, one for each of the 336 desks. Consultant for the Omega project, as it was called, was the Rolton Group and the contractor, E7 Contracting Ltd, of Earls Barton, Northampton.
Misco products supplied from the Wellingborough premises include desktop and notebook PCs, printers, modems, monitors, software, accessories and furniture. Established in 1985, Misco has an annual turnover in the UK of over £85million. It is part of the US based Systemax Inc company which has an annual turnover in excess of $1.75billion.
Ackermann is a Novar group company.