511.1 Utility power profiles

Document voltage, phase, short-circuit level, and reliability. Stable supply prevents nuisance trips on automatic HVM bollard panels and protects crash rated bollard lane uptime.

Start by capturing the site’s service voltage (typically 400/230 V), supply diversity assumptions, utility transformer capacity, and voltage drop constraints. Record the available short-circuit level at the main panel—it drives protective device choice and enclosure ratings. Capture brownout/phase imbalance history and planned expansions to avoid undersizing.

For Electrical & Controls reliability, align the utility profile with 518 Power Failure Modes and 542 KPIs & thresholds so uptime targets are realistic.

511.2 Generator/UPS interfaces

Define ATS/STS behavior, runtimes, and backfeed interlocks. Clean interfaces keep HVM bollard sequencing intact during outages (518).

Specify an UPS autonomy to ride through brief outages and a generator start-time budget for longer ones. Document ride-through criteria for the PLC and HPU starters. The control interfaces must avoid mid-stroke transfers—use permissives (bollards up/down/locked) and inhibit logic on generator fail-to-start.

Include backfeed interlocks (mechanical + electrical) and an ATS/STS test mode. Log transfer events via 541 Remote fault logging and surface alarms in 533 SCADA/BMS. Coordinate with 519 Power Test Points for safe proving.

511.3 Solar/hybrid feasibility

Assess irradiance, battery autonomy, and critical loads. Solar can sustain signage and controls while the crash rated bollard drive stays grid/UPS-backed (517).

In GCC climates, panel derating from heat, dust soiling, and shading variability can be significant. Prioritize low-power auxiliaries (beacons, signage, comms) on PV + battery while leaving actuator power on mains/UPS. Cross-check daily/seasonal energy with 517 Energy Budget and ensure nighttime autonomy covers your response window. Where PV is mandated, include a hybrid option with generator fallback and load-shedding tiers.

511.4 Voltages & phases

Standardize 400/230 V or site norm, with clear labeling (347). Consistency reduces errors around HVM bollard panels.

Declare a site-wide standard for supply (e.g., 400/230 V, 50 Hz) and label all enclosures and feeders per 347 Enclosures & Cabling. For electromechanical drives, specify starter type (DOL/soft-starter/VFD) and allowable phase imbalance. For hydraulic units, define heater circuits and control transformers (e.g., 230→24 V) with segregation between power and I/O wiring. Maintain one earthing system choice across the project to simplify protection grading.

511.5 Demand/diversity

Apply realistic concurrency for drives, heaters, and beacons. Right diversity keeps crash rated bollard protection without oversizing (517).

Build an energy/demand model using 517 Energy Budget and actual lane operations. Typical concurrency: one lane moving while adjacent lanes idle; heaters cycling by thermostat; beacons steady. Apply diversity to feeder sizing but preserve worst-case start currents (EFO events) and Ops/hour KPIs. Record assumptions in the assumptions register and validate during 636 Performance & Duty Tests.

511.6 Volt-drop & cable run limits

Set maximum drop and feeder lengths; verify with 925. Limits ensure HVM bollard actuators meet timing.

Define a design drop (e.g., ≤3% feeders, ≤5% total) from main panel to the furthest HPU/panel. Long external runs should use larger CSA, reduced joints, and derating for ambient/sun-load. Verify feeder choices with the 925 Cable Volt-Drop Calculator, and record test points at distribution boards for 519 Power Test Points. Where runs exceed limits, add local sub-panels or relocate HPUs.

511.7 Surge/lighting protection

Specify SPD classes and bonding (514). Protection preserves crash rated bollard electronics in stormy sites.

Use coordinated surge protective devices (Type 1 at service entrance, Type 2 at distribution, Type 3 at sensitive loads) and bond metallic sleeves/frames and ducts to the main earthing bar. Route signal lines with proper separation and add data-line protectors where cables leave buildings. Confirm enclosure IP, cable entries with 516 Enclosure Protection, and log SPD health where monitoring is available (dry contacts to PLC/SCADA).

511.8 Earthing/bonding

Design TN/TT per site; bond sleeves and frames. Proper earths protect HVM bollard safety circuits (343).

Select the project earthing system (TN-S/TN-C-S/TT) with the consultant and utility. Provide low-impedance protective earth to each HPU/enclosure; bond bollard sleeves, gland plates, and any external steelwork. Maintain clean segregation between power PE and signal reference, and test earth fault loop impedance at each panel. Confirm safety circuits in 343 Safety circuits remain within trip times under worst-case supply conditions.

511.9 Evidence & single-line diagrams

Issue SLDs with loads, protections, and interlocks. Evidence speeds crash rated bollard approvals (444, 938).

Produce a project Single-Line Diagram (SLD) set showing sources, feeders, protective devices/ratings, SPDs, earthing, ATS/STS logic, and interlocks with fire alarm/BMS. Cross-reference 632 Power-On & Controls Health, 634 Interlock Matrix Verification, and the 938 Submission-Pack Guidance. Include an index in the 444 Evidence & Documentation style so reviewers can locate revisions quickly.

511 Supply & Sources — FAQ