The DOTPLUG breakaway system is composed of a modular color-coded cable system consisting of rubber cords with integrally molded watertight submersible connectors, inline fuses, submersible surge arrester and breakaway connectors. The system provides power from the junction box to the luminaire. The cables extend from a junction box near the base of the pole to the luminarie(s) at the top of the pole. Pursuant to AASHTO Guidelines and other Passive Safety Standards, upon knockdown, the pole cable system electrically disconnects at the foundation, leaving no more that four inches (0.10 m) of wires, cables, or connectors protruding from the electrical conduit. All fusing for electrical fixtures is located and protected below grade. A pole cable system must be considered on all breakaway lighting systems and even may provide additional safety, maintenance, and economical benefits to non-breakaway lighting systems.
Components Overview
Distribution Block
The red molded body contains a three (3) wire female outlet integrally molded to a two (2) foot (0.61m) length of three (3) separate #10 DLO cables with a 12 inch (0.3m) length of 10/2 SOWA cable terminating in a red female connector to match the red male Surge Arrester cable (where applicable). The block is watertight and submersible when the integrally fused plug on the power cable is engaged and fully seated. Dimensions are approximately 57mm x 95mm x 95mm due to limited space in the junction box. The Distribution Block and each connector are made of thermosetting synthetic polymer that is non-flame supporting.
Power Cable with Fused Plug
This cable is typically a minimum of eleven (11) feet (3.35m) 14/3 SOWA cable with a fused male plug on one end and a orange (or black) female connector at the other end. The fused plug is molded in red and the female plug can be molded in orange or black. The fused plug contains two (2) 5 amp 600 volt fuses (13/32" x 1½") or equal. The fused plug provides a watertight submersible seal when mated to the Distribution Block. The female connector will pass easily through a standard size 1¼" PVC elbow.
Luminaire Cable
The luminaire cable (aka pole cable) is a variable length of 14/3 SOWA cable with a male plug molded in orange or black to match the orange or black end of the Power Cable. The connector requires a maximum of 25 pounds (110 N) of force to mate or disengage from the female end. When engaged, the connection is watertight and submersible. The cable strain relief extends approximately two (2) inches (50mm) from the connector. The length will be the length of the pole and support arm plus five (5) feet (1.5m).
Surge Arrester with Cable
Provided with a 12 inch (0.3m) length of 10/2 SOWA cable with a male plug to match the connector on the distribution block with the other end integrally molded to the submersible surge arrester. The standard system can be provided with a surge arrester of 480 Volt Single Phase that is parallel connected and resets after each surge. The arrester have a current drain of <100 microamps and MCOV-330Vrms. The response time is 1 nanosecond and with a pulse life of 1000 10K amps impulses. Protection Modes L-L, L-G, N-G. Surge current of 50K amps per phase. Operating frequency of 0-400Hz. Category C Tested. The enclosure is waterproof and submersible. The arrester meets or exceeds 600 volt insulation requirements.
Conductors & Splicing
The Pole Cable System can be provided with the optional solderless split bolt connectors as manufactured by O.A., Burndy, Thomas and Betts or approved equal. The connector is sealed in re-enterable silicone based gel that easily peels away leaving a clean connection. The gel is contained in an enclosure that when snapped shut around the split bolt provides a submersible connection without the use of tools or taping. This enclosure is UV resistant, impact and abrasion resistant, and meet ANSI C119.1
ELCI - Equipment (sometimes "Earth") Leakage Circuit Interrupter
Safety concerns have been raised over the last decade over the Electrical Shock Hazards that have been associated with municipal and roadway lighting systems. Insulation breakdown from aging infrastructure has been documented from coast to coast (see these articles for reference), along with missing access covers, animal penetration, wind damage, water damage, and salt corrosion. Implementing the use of an ELCI will help eliminate these hazards and reduce the liability associated.
ELCI stands for "Equipment (sometimes "Earth") Leakage Circuit Interrupter", and is a device intended to mitigate ground fault leakage specifically for the protection of equipment. A "GFCI" (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is essentially the same as an "ELCI", but for the most part differ in trip threshold of leakage current and/or circuit voltage. A "GFCI" indicates that "Personnel" protection is being provided. This calls for a trip threshold of 4 to 6 mA with a maximum response time of 25ms and circuit voltage from any single current carrying conductor to Ground cannot exceed 150V. Thus, even if a 4 to 6 mA trip threshold is employed, on a 480V circuit, or even a 240V elevated (L1, N), providing personnel protection is not feasible. In order to provide personnel the greatest level of protection given circuit criteria, use of an "ELCI" is prescribed for personnel protection. Other applications for "ELCI" devices may call for higher trip thresholds of 10, 30, or even 100mA as baseline leakage as some of these applications may well exceed 6mA when a load device is functioning properly.
ELCI stands for "Equipment (sometimes "Earth") Leakage Circuit Interrupter", and is a device intended to mitigate ground fault leakage specifically for the protection of equipment. A "GFCI" (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is essentially the same as an "ELCI", but for the most part differ in trip threshold of leakage current and/or circuit voltage. A "GFCI" indicates that "Personnel" protection is being provided. This calls for a trip threshold of 4 to 6 mA with a maximum response time of 25ms and circuit voltage from any single current carrying conductor to Ground cannot exceed 150V. Thus, even if a 4 to 6 mA trip threshold is employed, on a 480V circuit, or even a 240V elevated (L1, N), providing personnel protection is not feasible. In order to provide personnel the greatest level of protection given circuit criteria, use of an "ELCI" is prescribed for personnel protection. Other applications for "ELCI" devices may call for higher trip thresholds of 10, 30, or even 100mA as baseline leakage as some of these applications may well exceed 6mA when a load device is functioning properly.
Avoiding Electrical Hazards
Studies Published in the IMSA Journal (September - October, 2008) estimated 1 in every 337 lighting poles posed an electrical hazard. That did not include utility poles, electrical junction boxes, traffic signal poles, cross-walk signs and other sources that have been found also posing an electrical hazard to the public. The New York Times reported that after an incident in New York City where a woman was electrocuted on a sidewalk while walking her dogs, prompted city wide inspections of thousands of construction plates, manhole covers, light poles and street-level electrical boxes throughout the city. Con Edison (NY power company) found more than 300 locations with stray voltage, including 30 with more than 50 volts, which can be enough to kill.
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