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Electrical Wiring for a Welding Platform within the Oil Industry

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

I was wondering if you could help us out has I'm presently working on a 4 Storey Platform for a project for the Oil and Gas Industry.



Now this Platform is basically for Welders to work on now there is a Power Source that is a Permanent Fixture in a building containing 110v,230v and 400v connections and these connect in a way like a long extension lead using Caravan type Hook-up Extension Leads to the 4 Storey Platform structure.



Cables used for this structure are for 110v Single Phase Neutral and Earth Cable (32A),230V 32A Single Phase Neutral and Earth Cable and for 400v this is 32A 3 phase Neutral and Earth Cable which connects to the Platform itself.Now the Lighting on the Platform is in the form of 26W LED Type Lighting of there are 3 sets  of these on each floor but my question is what type of cable would run the lights to power them up would it still be 110v 32a Single Phase Neutral & Earth Cable or would it be Twin & Earth 1.5mm2 Cable.And the Sockets for the office containment on the first floor would they be of 2.5mm2 or 4mm2 and not 230v 32A Single Phase Cable.I Can understand there is a interface connection for the Welding Equipment this being 230v Single Phase Neutral & Earth Cable Connection. So was wondering has to your thoughts on the sockets and the lighting on this structure?.



Regards



Jimmy2Rivers


  • 0
    What does the spec. require?

    Will the COMPEX requirements be needed?


    For sealed lighting units, 230V single phase lighting has the biggest choice and variety available to buy.

    Socket outlets, again, you would need to see what the Client requires, there is no point putting in 230V sockets when 110V is required from a central transformer.

    I've done work in a large fabrication shop, there were all types of voltage outlets available. 

    3 phase commando socket outlets for large welders and other machines, 230V commando style outlets for smaller machines, and the usual 230V BS1363 3 pin sockets for other equipment - usually the workers radios. A feed also went to a wall hung 110V transformer which supplied up to 8x 110V socket outlets.

    You really need to see if COMPEX standards need to be met.
  • 0
    There are specific requirements for this type of installation on oil and gas platforms. The requirements also differ depending on whether the rig is in production. You really need to consult an expert on offshore rigs - a “design by internet” solution for this application is not the best option. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Hi Alanblaby,

    Thanks for your help and ideas now all I really know about the wiring of this structure has the Spec is Vague,Is that the Power Soucre has three connections that seem like Caravan Hook-up Connections.

    Now these Power units are for 110v,230v and 400v so assume these ranges are all a requirement.I Believe the lighting circuit is hardwired to the Power Soucre but the spec is very vague.Now I Noticed on the 16kW Welding Machine the Spec asked for 239v Single Phase Neutral & Earth requirements but a max input current of 30A but I thought that the current would be higher with being 230v and not 400v but it did state it was a low Frequency Induction Welding Machine so whether this has something to do with low current but not sure.Now Sockete the Spec is Vague at first I thought 230v but with you stating 110v I didn't realise this could be used but can put this to the client has it is in an proposal state at present so there is a lot of questions being fed to the client.So if you have anymore new ideas I can collate them together has its a head thinking status part of the project cause there is a lot of vague information been given by the client.My guess with the 400v 3ph is for the Motor Starter for the Pump.Anymore ideas would be appreciated?,

    Regards

    Jimmy2Rivers
  • 0
    I think that you should go back to the client and ask exactly what he wants. I assume that the power comes from a generator on the rig, how big is it? This affects the design of the power distribution system, and the circuit protection. Welding equipment also has somewhat unusual characteristics, and older transformer stuff poor power factors, whilst inverter ones can take very large currents if the supply voltage drop is excessive (to give constant output power). You say a caravan type hookup, does that mean there is no fixed wiring, and everything is in flexible cables which can be moved around? If so you probably need a distribution point on each level with the various sizes of sockets, CPDs, etc with a big cable back to the generator. This kind of thing can be bought from Rubberbox and others Link here.

    Suitable HO7RN-F cables then complete the job, although the oil industry sometimes uses even more tough cables, so check. 63 or 125 A coloured connectors to BS4043, see link are very rugged and strong and used for the primary distribution to the boxes.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    How you manage the welding return currents might be worth a thought as well - I worked at one facility, where you couldn't touch the galley handrails, they were that hot - and the degree of corrosion visible on some joints was epic due to the current flow in the structure. Whilst there were return current earth bosses in place for use, the local guys were in the habit of just clipping on the facility structure as it was easier than setting up on the workpiece (which in itself was a pretty big structure, but supported off the ground on high precision jacks which proved to be quite insulating)


    Regards


    OMS
  • 0
    You mention it is the oil and gas industry, but is it a land base installation (e.g. refinery) or an offshore platform (e.g. oil production) as there may be different requirements. For instance, for an offshore platform the cable standard could be BS 6883 or IEC 60092-360, but these standards are specifically for offshore installations rather than land based (through a quirk of the standards organisations rather than because they would be unsafe).

    Alasdair
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Hi All,

    Yeah,basically this set up is land based and the Power Soucre which contains 3 Different Power connections (ie 110v,230v and 400v) and within the power source there are 2 4kVA Transformers.Now the actual Rig contains 6 independent Power Soucres 3 on the Left Side and 3 on the Right Side of which the Caravan Type Connections (ie Hook-ups) from the Main Power Soucre in the Building separate from the Rig connect to so to provide Power where its needed on the rig its a bit like a long extension lead.Now I was wondering has to the cabling requirements for the Sockets within the 4 Storey rig that belong in the Office Area of the Rig and also the wiring requirements for the Lighting has there are 9 in total 26 Watt Lights 3 on each floor apart from the top floor has this doesn't have any lights.

    Regards

    Ian Stokes
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    JIMMY2RIVERS:

    Hi All,

    Yeah,basically this set up is land based and the Power Soucre which contains 3 Different Power connections (ie 110v,230v and 400v) and within the power source there are 2 4kVA Transformers.Now the actual Rig contains 6 independent Power Soucres 3 on the Left Side and 3 on the Right Side of which the Caravan Type Connections (ie Hook-ups) from the Main Power Soucre in the Building separate from the Rig connect to so to provide Power where its needed on the rig its a bit like a long extension lead.Now I was wondering has to the cabling requirements for the Sockets within the 4 Storey rig that belong in the Office Area of the Rig and also the wiring requirements for the Lighting has there are 9 in total 26 Watt Lights 3 on each floor apart from the top floor has this doesn't have any lights.

    Regards

    Ian Stokes


    Hi Ian, hope all is well, you seem to have not made much progress with these works lately, if you could post any pictures they do speak 1000 words :)


  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Well everytime i try to send a picture of this Platform the talks just go around in circles.Do you have an email address then i can send some pictures but as long as we can progress with something.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    JIMMY2RIVERS:

    Well everytime i try to send a picture of this Platform the talks just go around in circles.Do you have an email address then i can send some pictures but as long as we can progress with something.


    Hi ,you have posted a couple of files of hand written notes, do you have any photographs of the installation?


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