since 1895

Passive Safety Cabinet tested to BS EN 12767 (100 NE3)

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Ritherdon & Co Passively Safe Highways Cabinet... Until now crash-tested, passively-safe roadside cabinets have been unavailable. Cabinets on trunk roads have typically been installed either behind barriers or some distance from the carriageway. However Ritherdon & Co have now developed a cabinet which is passively safe to EN 12767.

Crash Testing the Passively Safe Cabinet at the Transport Road LaboratoryRitherdon crash tested their “RB800 Passive Cabinet” at TRL early in January 2013. Two BS EN 12767 crash tests were conducted where cabinets (including internal weights to represent installed equipment) were hit by 900 kg cars at 35 kph and 100 kph.In both tests the cabinet’s shearing mechanism created a controlled breakaway on impact. The passenger compartment of the car was not penetrated at all, indicating that the driver/passengers would have been able to open the doors and walk away from the crash. The cabinet was given a classification to BS EN 12767 of 100 NE 3.

Electrical Isolation As well as testing the mechanical performance of the cabinet Ritherdon & Co installed the Poletech electrical isolation systems into the cabinet. Four multicore cables and breakaway Poleplugs were included with the isolation system to represent the supply of power and data to the cabinet. The system worked perfectly in the test, with the impact sensor isolating power to the cabinet and the Poleplugs disconnecting cleanly at the shearing interface. A new cabinet could have been readily installed to the existing undamaged foundation unit without having to feed through new cables.

ConclusionIf you need to install electrical equipment in a cabinet or cabinets for a road scheme where they would be vulnerable to vehicle impact you may well find a passively safe cabinet provides the cheapest and safest solution.

Ritherdon & Co passively safe cabinets can be fully fitted out prior to delivery, with Poletech Poleplugs at the interface, to facilitate a “plug and play” approach to installation (or for replacement following a collision). This approach improves the safety and cost of installation and minimizes traffic delays and traffic management.

The concept of a “passively safe road” with only passively safe street furniture is a great concept for a road scheme and Ritherdon & Co’s new passively safe cabinets take us another step closer to making this achievable.

The cabinet after the 100 kph impact

showing the separated

“PolePlugs”

The plinth and cables after the 100 kph impact (the cables

and underlying cast-in foundation unit are totally undamaged)

The car after a 100 kph crash test with the Ritherdon

cabinet

Passively safe sign and lighting columns (tested to EN 12767: 2007) are proving exceptionally safe with almost no recorded severe injuries in vehicle impacts. Their economical advantages have also become clear as less protective barriers and energy absorbing terminals are needed.

Call 01254 819100 or visit www.ritherdon.co.uk for more information