Electrical Systems and Utility Cabinets
Anytime someone is working with electrical systems and components, care and safety must always be of primary concern. This includes when electrical systems and components will be stored or housed in utility cabinets that can safely and securely contain that type of equipment.
Electrical Systems
A main focus of any electrical system is the transformer. A transformer is a device that transfers electric power from one circuit to another circuit via inductive coupled conductors, which are the transformer’s coils. A varying current creates a varying magnetic flux in the core. This creates a varying magnetic field through the secondary winding. This step stimulates a voltage in the secondary winding, also known as mutual induction.
Many individuals are most familiar with transformers by the large bucket-shaped pieces of equipment found at the top of the many utility poles found in neighborhoods around the country. There are, however, many other places transformers can be found in a person’s everyday life and they may not even realize it.
Transformers come in a wide variety of sizes; from miniature coupling transformers to huge components connected together to make up a region’s electrical power grid. Regardless of their size, all transformers function on the same basic concepts. While there are some technologies that have been developed as of late that no longer require transformers, they are still found in many products and locations that range from small household voltage systems to high voltage power transmission equipment that allows for power to travel long distances to homes and businesses everywhere.
How Utility Cabinets Help Keep Electrical Systems and Transformers Safe and Secure
It is very important to keep electrical systems and its parts, including transformers, safe and functioning properly. A key part of that is using the right utility cabinets that can both keep the system secure and safe from those who should not have access to it. Additionally, utility cabinets for transformers and electrical systems need to meet or exceed all the specific regulations related to the housing such an electrical system. They should meet UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards to ensure safe functioning of all systems. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) also provides specific guidelines regarding how to properly house and protect systems within utility cabinets. For example, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction 1926.405(a)(1)(i), requires “metal raceways, cable armor, and other metal enclosures for conductors shall be metallically joined together into a continuous electric conductor and shall be so connected to all boxes, fittings, and cabinets as to provide effective electrical continuity.”
It is obvious that electrical systems and transformers must be kept secure, regardless of their location. This includes the use of OSHA, IEEE and UL-approved utility cabinets to make sure all systems are kept in full working order. This will also help protect those who are charged with keeping those systems online safe from potential injury or other electrical hazards associated with working on this type of equipment.
