Black boxes for airfield lighting

A Fibox product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 17, 2002

Edward Dewhurst of Preston is a supplier of aeronautical ground lighting systems for both civil and military use and is a major user of Fibox enclosures.

Take-off and landing activities are the least safe elements of air transport, the safest form of travel.

The obvious need for permanent availability of aeronautical ground lighting (AGL) systems means that the highest achievable quality is required from suppliers.

The scrutiny of solutions encompasses everything and, thanks to continued research, Fibox, the international enclosures specialist, is able to deliver the enhanced performance that is now required for the housing of electrical equipment.

Edward Dewhurst of Preston is a supplier of AGL systems for both civil and military use and is a major user of Fibox enclosures.

The company is currently using the EK IP67 range of modular polycarbonate boxes for safety isolation and test (SIT) units because of the flexibility available with these enclosures.

The SIT unit was initially developed to meet the specific needs of British Aerospace at Warton where a safety device was required that was easy to operate and complimented existing permit to work systems.

The unique difficulties raised by AGL systems relate to long circuit lengths, high voltage, constant current drive and access for repairs.

A special assessment of these factors concluded that the greatest risk was to maintenance staff and solutions needed to deliver safe systems of work that complied with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

The Dewhurst response was an SIT unit that has been designed and tested in conjunction with British Aerospace Defence Systems.

Each installation uses Fibox EX insulated enclosures with moulded on gland plate faces and transparent polycarbonate hinged covers that are lockable to comply with safety and security requirements.

The enclosure forms the outer body, onto this is mounted a transparent polycarbonate chassis and extension frame that increases the available fitting depth and supports the electrical links and locking device.

This back plate assembly also acts as an insulation screen and provides a clear indication of the circuit integrity.

Individual devices are tested to 2.5kV as standard after successful type testing to 10kV DC for 30min.

The Fibox EK range is modular and the extensive range of sizes uses pre-pressed flange panels to produce the modular assemblies appreciated by equipment suppliers.

With the EK range it is easy to design panels that fully use restricted locations and there are few problems with late changes or the extension of equipment supplied some time ago.

Built in pillars for DIN rails (for component mounting), and the option to add further enclosures for terminal wiring are amongst the detailed features welcomed by users.

Fibox offers a full customisation service that may include anything from a single machined opening through to moulding modifications, customised tooling special colours and printing.

A Centre for Excellence, which is used by almost 40% of Fibox customers is staffed by experts in the production and use of enclosures and provides the information needed by customers, particularly that relating to materials performance and compliance with the standards that apply in almost every country.

As Derek Calloway, Airfield Services Manager of Edward Dewhurst, commented recently, "High quality solutions encompass everything that is delivered to the end user and the development of state-of-the-art AGL systems must include the enclosure.

Fibox delivers a quality product that has outstanding performance and excellent technical support, factors that have contributed significantly to the successful performance of over 250 SIT units at UK airfields from Stornoway to Jersey".