Is it necessary to separate cables in the instrument cable trench?
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There has always been a confusion regarding the instrument enclosures and cable trenches in the plant’s piping network. Is it necessary to separate cables in the instrument cable trench using tray boxes? SH/T 3019, the Design Code for Instrumentation Piping in the Petrochemical Industry, specifies that when cables are run through instrument tray boxes, cables of different voltage levels must be separated by partitions; however, no such requirement exists for cable trenches. I’m seeking advice from experts: is it necessary to install cable partitions in the instrument cable trench? If a separation is needed, how to do it?
Needless to say, you definitely can’t just throw the cables together and dump them in a ditch. Either don’t place cable trays in the cable trench or use shelf systems – it’s up to you to decide
Cables of different voltage levels must be separated from each other; cable trenches also need to be separated. There are also distance requirements for cables of different voltage levels； Based on experience, even at 380V, if it’s a cable coming from an inverter, make sure the shielding is in place and maintain the proper distance; otherwise it will be frustrating...
Separate! Separate high-voltage and low-voltage circuits! If there are many, those of different types should also be separated to facilitate maintenance!
Hello, I am an instrumentation cable, not an electrical cable. The maximum is only 220V; 99% of them are intrinsically safe, explosion-proof type cables. Is there any instrumentation specification that states that instrumentation cables in cable trays need to be separated?
Any standard requires that intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe circuits be laid separately, although I don’t think it’s necessary.
While meeting the relevant regulations, it is also necessary to ensure ease of maintenance in the future; typically, instruments are powered by 220AC and 24DC, so 220V and 24V circuits must be separated. Put it in a trench, and use a PVC pipe to separate it inside. Personal opinion
Along both sides of the trench, if you’re still concerned, install raceways for low-voltage circuits on one side, while laying 220V circuits on the other side
A trench is just a passage; even in a trench, trough boxes need to be installed, or at the very least, layers should be arranged using tiered racks. The greater the distance, the better it is for future maintenance. If any issues arise in the future, it will be difficult to resolve them, so it’s better to take action ahead of time.
It’s better to use separate layers; by keeping cables with different voltages apart, their mutual influence is reduced.