Ancillary loads: heaters, lighting, cameras, and power budget.
Beyond drives, lanes need reliable power for devices and signage. Build an ancillary load inventory, apply diversity, and select UPS/backup or solar where appropriate. Coordinate distribution/protection (514), cabling/volt-drop (515, 925), and control integration (521, 533). Metering/monitoring supports KPIs (542). Commissioning checks (631–636) close the loop before SAT (638). Include one-sentence context that naturally links upward to the parent hubs (this section and the chapter hub). Add SIRA context with a link to SIRA Bollards (UAE) when relevant. Link installation pages only if helpful: What to Expect and Installation Guide.
Important: This is a general guide. For live projects we develop a tailored
Method Statement & Risk Assessment (MS/RA) and align with authority approvals (e.g., SIRA) where in scope.
349.1 Ancillary load inventory
List beacons, heaters, fans, ANPR, and signage (345, 544). Inventory prevents HVM bollard under-sizing.
Start with a lane-by-lane inventory that distinguishes essential loads (e.g., safety beacons, traffic signal aspects, loop detectors) from optional items (cameras, signage lighting). Capture nameplate ratings, duty (continuous/intermittent), and environmental add-ons such as heater-thermostat packs. Note IP/IK requirements from Enclosures & Cabling and confirm whether any items are rating-critical for the bollard system.
Group loads by location (field vs panel) and voltage (ELV, LV). For each device, record spares/MTBF expectations and whether failure affects safety devices & measures. Cross-check with Operational Dashboards & Reporting to ensure each load has a monitoring point or alarm where useful.
| Aspect | What matters | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Tested system (bollard + footing) | Crash Ratings & Compliance |
| Operations | Duty cycles, fail-state, safety | Installation Guide |
349.2 Diversity & demand
Apply realistic simultaneity; reserve EFO margin (517, 354). Accurate demand protects crash rated bollard performance.
Use a documented diversity approach rather than simply summing nameplates. Separate “always-on” (detectors, comms) from “on-demand” (lighting, fans) and apply simultaneity factors by scenario (day/night, peak operations, emergency). Maintain an explicit margin for EFO so ancillary loads never starve the drive system during critical moves.
Document the final demand figure in the Energy Budget (517) and keep it linked to the Interlock/State logic (342, 352). If power sources are constrained (temporary supplies or genset), create a mode that sheds non-essential loads automatically.
349.3 Power quality/UPS options
Filter surges, add UPS where required (514). Quality power keeps HVM bollard logic alive during dips (518).
Protect controls with surge protection, proper earthing, and EMI practices (see Electrical Supply & Protection). Consider a UPS sized for PLC, communications, and safety relays to ride through short outages or brownouts. Define target autonomy (e.g., 15–30 minutes) and battery technology suitable for ambient temperatures noted in Hot Climate Design.
Specify clean shutdown behavior: log a Change-of-State log, store counters, and park the lane in the safest state if the UPS reaches low-battery. Pair this with Power Failure Modes (518) testing during commissioning.
349.4 Solar/backup considerations
Assess solar for remote sites; confirm runtime targets (511). Backup sustains crash rated bollard availability.
For remote or resilience-driven sites, evaluate solar PV or hybrid solutions for ancillary loads first (signage, low-power comms) and keep drives on mains/genset unless proven otherwise. Define realistic autonomy targets (e.g., 24–72 hours for comms and signals) and include battery derating for temperature. Where backup generators exist, coordinate auto-start thresholds and Supply & Sources changeover times so PLCs/UPS bridge the gap.
349.5 Distribution & protection
Provide segregated MCBs/RCBOs and labeling (527). Clean distribution supports HVM bollard fault isolation.
Build a tidy distribution board layout that separates drive power from accessories. Use dedicated MCB/RCBO ways for beacons, photo-eyes, traffic signals, cameras, and heaters so faults don’t cascade. Label circuits to the Panel Wiring Standards, and provide a Test/Isolate switch where maintenance needs safe local isolation without disabling the whole lane.
349.6 Cabling & volt-drop
Size feeders by run and duty; verify with 925. Low volt-drop maintains automatic HVM bollard speed (341).
For long runs to field devices, check conductor size using the Cable Volt-Drop Calculator (925). Keep ELV signaling within manufacturer limits and avoid nuisance faults from excessive voltage drop. For heaters/fans, assess starting current, duty cycle, and ambient temperature per Hot Climate Design. Use proper glands, drip loops, and segregation from power to minimize EMC issues.
349.7 Control integration
Coordinate energization with modes (525) and SCADA points (533). Integration keeps a crash rated bollard lane predictable.
Map which ancillary loads energize in each mode: Normal, Night, Maintenance, EFO, and Power-Save. Reflect this in the Interlock Matrix (352) and the SCADA/BMS Signals & Reporting list so operators can see when loads are inhibited or shed. Expose alarms such as “Beacon lamp fail,” “Heater fault,” and “Low UPS autonomy” with priorities aligned to the Alarm Philosophy.
349.8 Metering & monitoring
Add submeters/counters (542). Data exposes HVM bollard inefficiencies.
Install a small energy sub-meter or counters on key circuits to track consumption and correlate with throughput KPIs. Log hours-run for heaters/fans and count activations for beacons/signals to plan maintenance and spot anomalies. Feed data to the operational dashboard (544) and trend against weather data (heat, humidity) for optimization opportunities.
349.9 Commissioning checks
Prove loads, trips, and runtime on SAT forms (631–638). Checks demonstrate crash rated bollard readiness.
During commissioning, verify each accessory circuit: correct labeling, protection trip values, and mode-dependent energization. Simulate power disturbances to confirm UPS ride-through and graceful recovery (518). Record detector/indicator settings in the ITP (714) and carry them into SAT witness scripts (638). Where local approvals apply (e.g., SIRA sites), include these checks in authority submissions and maintain evidence in the handover pack (736).
Related
External resources
- ASTM F2656 — Crash-rated overview
- NPSA — Hostile Vehicle Mitigation guidance
- FEMA 426 / DHS — Reference manual
349 Accessory power for HVM Bollards — FAQ
How do I decide which accessory loads are essential?
Classify loads by safety and operations. Beacons, traffic signals, and detectors tied to safety devices & measures are essential; signage lighting and cameras may be non-essential. Document this in the Interlock/State logic so non-essential loads can be shed without affecting safety or EFO behavior.
What UPS autonomy should I target for controls?
Common targets are 15–30 minutes for PLC, I/O, comms, and safety relays—long enough to ride through short outages and allow an orderly shutdown or generator start. In hot climates, derate batteries and prove ride-through during commissioning.
When is solar viable for bollard accessories?
Solar can support low-power accessories (signage, comms) at remote sites with clear autonomy goals. Drives typically remain on mains/generator due to power and reliability demands. Validate with measured duty and environmental derating.
How do I prevent volt-drop issues on long cable runs?
Use the Cable Volt-Drop Calculator (925), increase conductor size as needed, and keep ELV signal runs within manufacturer limits. Separate power and signal cables, use proper glands and drip loops, and verify performance under load during commissioning.