Up to now, if you wanted to install tap cables in order to provide power for a wide range of applications, it meant a lot of effort – especially if regulations required additional components to be installed.
Take tunnel lighting as a typical example: in tunnels, each light is generally required to be individually protected so that in the event of damage, only one light is ever lost and all the others continue to be safely supplied with power. Because of the length of the sections that need to be serviced in tunnels, the installation of tapping boxes, subdistribution boards and circuit-breakers requires an immense amount of wiring which can be extremely time-consuming.
The new Rapid-Box from Spelsberg can bring immediate benefits for such tasks in the form of significant savings on time and costs. The new housing system has been specially designed for the protected installation of uncut tap conductors up to 50 mm² (Cu).
Protected tapping can be carried out using either a 2.5 mm² conductor or CEE sockets (3-pole or 5-pole) in the housing cover. Fuses and sockets are completely prewired.
Because the new system only takes 15 minutes at the most to assemble, it is not only suitable for retrofitting but also considerably reduces the effort required in the case of new installations. So besides tunnel installations, other places with long cable runs such as industrial premises or high-rise buildings also make ideal applications for the Rapid-Box.
In addition, the main terminal can also be used as a terminal for connecting two cut conductors. By using CEE sockets, equipment such as lights, can be connected, maintained and repaired particularly quickly and efficiently.
The modular design of the Rapid-Box makes it the right solution for virtually any application. There are two basic versions: the standard variant in accordance with EN 61439-2 (VDE) and the variants for fire protection installation with system integrity in E30, E60 or E90 in accordance with DIN 4102 and EN 1363.
The individual Rapid-Box components can be applied in different combinations according to the specific task in each case. Options include sockets in the cover or cable glands on the side of the housing along with external earthing and circuit-breakers with various types of protection. All switchgear assemblies are VDE- and MPA-certified.
Options are also available where terminals are concerned. The maintenance-free high-set terminal block can be provided with 1 to 5 poles. The spring-loaded housing nuts for through-wiring ensure fault-free operation even with strong vibrations. The actual process of tapping is carried out using a spring-type terminal. There are various cross-sections and rated currents to choose from, enabling the inside of the Rapid-Box to be precisely configured for the task in hand. The cover design can also be varied as required.
There are seven different gasket dimensions, including cable glands, to choose from according to the conductor diameter in each case. The Duroplast housing is extremely robust and UV-resistant and is also able to withstand extreme weather or dirt without any problems, making the installation suitable for use in areas at risk from corrosion too. In the event of a fire, the “low-smoke” characteristics of the material ensure low levels of pollution and smoke development.
The new Rapid-Box can be fitted to ceilings or walls and can also be installed in cable trays. The fixing points are on the outside of the housing so that the Rapid-Box can be installed without it having to be opened up.
In addition, the cover and screws are captive - a major benefit, especially when working up a ladder or for overhead working.
Rapid-Box has been certified across Europe: the switchgear assemblies are in accordance with EN 61439 and the fire resistance test complies with EN 1363.