515.1 Cable types & ratings

Specify UV/heat-rated power and screened control types (337). Right types protect automatic HVM bollard signals.

For feeders to automatic bollards, specify outdoor-rated power cables with elevated temperature performance for GCC climates and abrasion resistance. Screened, low-capacitance signal cables help reduce noise on control and EMC-sensitive runs. Where hydraulic systems are used, route power to the HPU separately from field-device control looms.

Choose jackets and sheaths with UV resistance and oil/fuel tolerance. In hot enclosures, check the cable derating curve against enclosure heat loads; cross-reference with heat-load estimates (926) and verify protective device settings (514).

515.2 Segregation (power/control)

Separate power, control, and safety per minima (347). Segregation prevents crash rated bollard faults.

Maintain physical separation between power, control, and safety circuits along trays and inside panels. Use dedicated trunking/ducts or dividers; cross power and signal at 90° where crossings are unavoidable. Keep loop detector leads away from VFD/motor feeders to avoid induced noise. Document the segregation approach on the Single-Line and cable routing drawings.

At terminations, land power on separate gland plates and segregated DIN rails; keep SELV/PELV I/O looms in screened bundles. Reference your site panel build to (527) Panel Wiring Standards and enclosure layout (528), and align external runs with (347) Enclosures & Cabling.

515.3 Glanding & sealing

Use IP-rated glands and water-blocks (334, 245). Seals keep HVM bollard enclosures dry.

Select metal glands with the required IP rating and fit entry rain-hoods where cables enter from above. In pits, specify raised gland plates and sealed bushings to limit water ingress. Use non-wicking fillers or water-blocking compounds on underground runs to combat capillary paths into panels.

Bond screens at a single end (or as specified by the device) and provide strain relief with proper clamps, not cable ties alone. Check for corrosion risk at dissimilar-metal interfaces and consider isolation washers in coastal sites.

515.4 Underground ducting

Set depth/cover and draw-pit spacing (246). Good ducting preserves crash rated bollard cabling.

Use a coordinated duct bank with minimum covers suitable for vehicular areas and distinct color/marker tape for identification. Long-sweep bends ease pulling and protect sheaths. Space draw pits to limit pull tension and allow mandrel testing; see (615) Ducting & Draw Pits and CAD details at (934) Ducting & Trench Details.

Coordinate routes against utilities and foundations (331–335) and keep a clear path to the bollard array spacing (232) without creating pinch points at the surface.

515.5 Bend radius & pulling

Respect minimum radii and pulling tensions. Care avoids HVM bollard conductor damage.

Apply manufacturer minimum bend radii (typically multiples of cable OD) and calculate pull tensions for long runs. Use rollers, stockings, and lubricants compatible with cable jackets. For complex routes or high friction, break runs at intermediate pits per (246) Ducting & Pathways.

After pulling, inspect jackets for scoring, confirm continuity, and verify insulation readings before terminations. Log the results into the project’s ITP (714).

515.6 Identification/ferrules

Use durable ferrules and core IDs (527). Identification speeds crash rated bollard fault-finding.

Adopt a site-wide cable schedule with unique IDs that match panel labels, device tags, and as-built drawings. Use heat-shrink or printed ferrules on cores, plus weatherable wrap labels on jackets near each termination.

Inside panels, use consistent terminal numbering and door cards. In the field, add marker posts or paving studs at key changes of direction to aid fault-finding without intrusive digging.

515.7 Spare cores & futureproofing

Include spare ways for upgrades (446). Spares reduce later HVM bollard disruption.

Provide spare cores in control looms to support additions like photo-eyes or ANPR. In duct banks, reserve spare conduits with pulls left installed and capped. This supports upgrade paths and change requests without trenching across finished surfaces.

Where bollard lanes may gain SCADA/BMS signals (533) later, leave space in trays and panels, and capture design allowances in the change-control pack (537).

515.8 As-built routes

Record routes and measurements (731). As-builts aid crash rated bollard maintenance.

Survey installed routes with chainages between pits/turns, pit depths, and gland-plate references. Embed the measurements, photos, and redlines into As-Built drawings (731) and the Asset Register (732). Use a geo-referenced photo log so maintainers can locate buried changes quickly.

Where UAE approvals are in scope, ensure documentation aligns with SIRA expectations for security systems cabling layout and labeling.

515.9 Inspection & tests

IR, continuity, and function tests enter the ITP (714). Tests prove HVM bollard readiness.

Test insulation resistance, continuity, and polarity before energization. For control circuits, verify shielding/earthing continuity and check for noise under motor starts. Record results in the ITP and include witness points for the SAT (638). Confirm voltage drop at loads using the Volt-Drop Calculator (925), and re-verify after any route changes.

Before live work, enforce LOTO (725), document the energization plan, and include a “reset-to-normal” checklist in handover (739).

515 Cables & Routing — FAQ