Construction Features
– Reinforced floors to support heavy transformers and switchgear
– Walls and ceilings to support cable tray system or busbars
– Additional ventilation or air conditioning to control temperature
– Installation of double doors for maintenance of large equipment
– Special provisions for access by utility personnel if utility service entrance equipment and metering is present
Regulations
– Layout and construction controlled by local building code and electrical code regulations
– Requirements for fire safety and electrical hazards
– Secured access to electrical room, especially for equipment with exposed live terminals
– Two separate means of exit in rooms with circuits exceeding a power threshold
– Fire-resistant construction or active fire suppression equipment for rooms with oil-filled equipment
Grounding and Bonding
– Extensive provisions for grounding and bonding enclosures of electrical equipment
– Prevention of stray voltage and danger of electric shock
– Different measures for lightning protection compared to power-frequency faults
– Electromagnetic shielding to prevent interference to nearby sensitive audio or video equipment
– Access control systems for large facilities to control admission to the room
Fire Safety Measures
– Fire detection and fire suppression systems, such as carbon dioxide
– Special measures for fire resistance of cables and cable trays
– Ventilation and other measures in industrial buildings handling flammable gases, liquids, or combustible dusts
– Preparation of special electrical rooms to prevent explosion hazards
– Separation of electrical equipment in wet or corrosive environments to protect from atmospheric conditions
Working Space and Practical Design
– Minimal working space around equipment for safe access during maintenance
– Consideration of layout for initial equipment and future additions
– Compliance with building code and electrical code regulations
– Economic life of the facility taken into account for design
– Practical measures for accommodating additions and modifications over time Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_room
An electrical room is a room or space in a building dedicated to electrical equipment. Its size is usually proportional to the size of the building; large buildings may have a main electrical room and subsidiary electrical rooms. Electrical equipment may be for power distribution equipment, or for communications equipment.
Electrical rooms typically house the following equipment:
- Electric switchboards
- Distribution boards
- Circuit breakers and disconnects
- Motor control centers
- Transformers
- Busbars
- Electricity meters
- Backup batteries in a Battery room
- Fire alarm control panels
- Distribution frames
In large building complexes, the primary electrical room may house an indoor electrical substation.
