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Greenhouse Electrical Design Considerations Application Note Rev. April 2010 Greenhouse Electrical Design Considerations © 2010 Argus Control Systems Limited. All Rights Reserved. This publication may not be duplicated in whole or in part by any means without the prior written permission of Argus Control Systems Limited. Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty: The information in this manual is furnished for informational use only and is subject to change without notice. Although our best efforts were used in preparing this book, Argus Control Systems Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear. Trademarks: Argus Controls, Argus Graph, Argus Control Systems, Argus Titan, and the Argus logo are trademarks of Argus Control Systems Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Argus Control Systems Ltd. Telephone: (604) 538-3531 or (604) 536-9100 Toll Free Sales: (800) 667-2090 (North America) Toll Free Service: (888) 667-2091 (North America) Fax: (604) 538-4728 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.arguscontrols.com Written and designed by Argus Control Systems Limited. Printed in Canada. Revised: April 2010 ©2010 ARGUS CONTROL SYSTEMS LIMITED Table of Contents ABOUT THIS GUIDE .................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 2 WHERE DO YOU FIT IN? SOME GROWER PROFILES: ................................................................................. 3 The Small Grower ................................................................................................................................ 3 The Medium Grower ............................................................................................................................ 3 The Large Grower ................................................................................................................................ 3 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AND LOCAL CODE ISSUES .......................................................................... 4 Equipment Approvals ........................................................................................................................... 4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN .................................................................................................................... 5 A Good Electrical System Design Must Satisfy Many Objectives: .................................................... 5 Select an Electrical System Designer .......................................................................................... 5 Get Installation Quotations ........................................................................................................... 5 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INSTALLATION .......................................................................................................... 6 Selecting a Good Electrical Contractor ............................................................................................... 6 What Can a Good Electrician Do for You? ......................................................................................... 6 THE DESIGN PROCESS............................................................................................................................... 7 EFFICIENCY ................................................................................................................................................ 8 OTHER ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS:................................................................................................... 9 General Electrical Supply Considerations ........................................................................................... 9 Voltage Drop and Power Loss...................................................................................................... 9 I²R Power Losses .......................................................................................................................... 9 Power Factor Correction ............................................................................................................... 10 Harmonics ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Electrical noise .............................................................................................................................. 10 Three-Phase Electrical System Considerations: ................................................................................ 11 Phase Reversal ............................................................................................................................. 11 “Single-Phasing” ............................................................................................................................ 11 Voltage Imbalance ........................................................................................................................ 11 Optional Three Phase Protection ................................................................................................. 11 Environmental Considerations............................................................................................................. 12 Temperature .................................................................................................................................. 12 Condensation and Water Damage .............................................................................................. 12 Solar Radiation and Weather Protection ..................................................................................... 13 Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems .................................................................................... 14 Lightning Protection Follows Two Broad Strategies.................................................................... 14 Electrical System Grounding ........................................................................................................ 15 Standby Generators ............................................................................................................................. 15 Automatic Starting and Transfer Panels ...................................................................................... 15 Powering Safety Equipment ................................................................................................................ 17 EQUIPMENT SIZING AND SELECTION .......................................................................................................... 18 Electric Motors, Overload and Service Factor .................................................................................... 18 Circuit Breakers and fuses ................................................................................................................... 18 Manual Motor Starters.......................................................................................................................... 18 Motor Overloads ................................................................................................................................... 18 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters ......................................................................................................... 19 Electric Motor Speed Controls ............................................................................................................. 19 Speed Control issues: ................................................................................................................... 19 Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) ....................................................................................................... 20 Variable Speed DC Motors .................................................................................................................. 22 Reversing Motors ................................................................................................................................. 22 ©2010 ARGUS CONTROL SYSTEMS LIMITED Operating and Master Travel Limits ............................................................................................. 22 Reversing Motor Types ................................................................................................................. 23 GREENHOUSE LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................ 24 Layout ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Design Considerations ......................................................................................................................... 24 Maintenance of Fixtures ....................................................................................................................... 24 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................. 25 ©2010 ARGUS CONTROL SYSTEMS LIMITED ABOUT THIS GUIDE This document provides background information to help you understand how to use electricity efficiently, safely, and economically. With this understanding, you will be better prepared to work with your greenhouse and electrical equipment suppliers,