Engineer News Network The ultimate online news and information resource for today’s engineer
Precast concrete construction methods are being employed in almost all sectors of the construction industry. But how should electrical installation be managed during concrete construction
Used for industrial buildings, residential developments and even the newest super-prisons, precast concrete enables contractors to cast either sections off-site and construct a building in a modular fashion or cast on site in-situ.
Spelsberg’s IBT junction boxes are designed to offer simplicity and quality – helping to further speed up this construction process.
The use of precast concrete panels allows construction companies in the UK to reduce construction time and building costs for large projects.
Panels can be cast to size in a factory and then transported to the building site to be assembled or can be cast onsite. This not only accelerates the construction phase, but also the finishing phase of the project, since the panels are delivered or cast onsite with a high quality finish that is ready for painting without further plastering or preparation.
However, when using precast panels or casting onsite in-situ it is important to consider any electrical installation requirements which must be integrated into the building’s structure.
During casting, it’s important that manufacturers facilitate conduits and housings to allow the necessary wiring and electrical connections to be made once on site.
Choosing the right accessories is critical as the reliability and quality of these parts can have a major impact on the ease of installation, electrical reliability and the overall aesthetic quality of the building.
The requirements of the electrical housings in these applications are extreme.
First they have to be incredibly strong and stable, and absolutely resistant to leakage. In addition, there has to be assured security of positioning.
The IBT System from Spelsberg meets all of these requirements. Products are designed to be as strong and stable as the concrete itself, while assuring ease of assembly, simplicity of use on-site, and a high quality finish.
Chris Lloyd, Spelsberg UK Managing Director, explains: “These are the only housings we are aware of that have been designed specifically for use in precast concrete construction projects. They offer a specialised diaphragm seal which prevents any concrete from getting into the housing during pouring, which is an issue many of our customers report with conventional metal solutions.”
The IBT enclosures are fixed to metal or wooden formwork using either magnets, epoxy or nails, the required conduit is connected before the concrete is poured.
When the concrete is set and the formwork removed, the face of the IBT housing is visible. It is then a simple matter for the on-site engineer to remove or drill through the face of the housing to gain access.
All the required housings and conduits are in place ready for cabling and electrical installation.
As one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of non-metallic electrical enclosures and housings, Spelsberg is continually investing in R&D.
As such, the IBT range continues to evolve as the requirements of the precast industry develop. The current range includes universal boxes, junction boxes, installation boxes, wall and ceiling transfers, special boxes and a full range of accessories – from sealing plugs, caps, blank bases, cleats and support bars to a variety of punch tools.
Spelsberg UK offers expert advice and engineering support throughout the design and planning phase of any project and will work to ensure that the most efficient solution is specified. The IBT System will help any pre-cast concrete construction project to increase time efficiency and reduce costs.
