New LU Universal Conduit Fitting
Solves Wiring Problem On Drilling Rigs
Land-based drilling rigs require safe, reliable electrical systems but their unique construction poses special challenges. Rigs are typically constructed as compact modules so they can be easily disassembled, transported and redeployed at different locations. Traditionally, these rigs use cable tray systems to manage electrical wiring. However, this leaves the wiring exposed and subject to damage and/or theft as the rigs are torn down and transported from site to site or stored at remote locations.
All Star Electric, an electrical contractor based in Houston, Texas, specializes in installing electrical systems on drilling rigs. On a recent project for a prominent customer, the specification called for electrical conduit — rather than cable tray — to be used to house the wiring to prevent damage and theft.
Ken Stolte, vice president of All Star Electric, immediately recognized that running the wiring through traditional conduit would be difficult and expensive, given the compact and disassembly requirements of the rigging. With tight right-angle bends at each of a rig's many corners, pulling long bundles of heavy-gauge wiring through typical conduit would be time-consuming, if not impossible. Stolte thought the only way to manage the process was to run the conductors through straight conduit and splice them together at the corners — a less-than-ideal solution.
However, that was before Stolte received a sample of T&B's BlueKote® Universal Conduit Elbow (called the LU). The LU is a right-angled conduit fitting featuring a much wider radius and a large-access opening in the center of the bend. In many applications, this allows wire to be pulled through the LU for enormous labor savings.
The T&B LU conduit elbow's wire-fill rating is 40 percent, which is the same as conduit, and increases the amount of wire that can be run through smaller fittings. Additionally, where codes require an inspection port after a 90-degree bend, the LU functions as both an elbow and inspection port.
Another benefit of the LU fitting include BlueKote® four-layer protection that provides both internal and external corrosion reisistance.
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