Mounting a Strut to Switchgear

[OmgVlt]

Good Afternoon!
I'm working with a customer and their contractor mounted a strut to a piece of switchgear to guide feeder cables into a piece of switchgear, opposed to continuing the cable tray (Canada). My questions is in regard to the bolts and nuts, which are anchoring the strut to the gear. The contractor used Loctite washers and a single nut on the interior cabinet. Is it possible, overtime, if vibration could loosing the nuts, which would create a dangerous situation?

 

[melspuds]

OmgVlt,
My only question about the mounting of the strut, is the switchgear an ARC RESISTANT type gear that might mess things up. If not, without seeing the gear I believe it would be ok when using Loctite. I have put struts many times on the roof of swgr, mcc, ect, for cable strapping with top entry cables. It is lot better than cutting bottom of the tray.
I am a very big supporter of using cable tray systems in industrial settings.
Hope this helps,
Dave

 

[waross]

That may be lock washers rather than locktight, Dave.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[SceneryDriver]

The effectiveness (or lack thereof) of lock washers has been discussed over and over on this forum.

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=370111

They are of very little use when it comes to vibration induced loosening. Nylok washers are better - I use them all the time in electrical cabinets - but may still loosen in very high vibration environments.

I would feel very comfortable with Loctite thread locking compound. It's the best choice out of the three.


SceneryDriver

 

[OmgVlt]

Waross,

You are correct in that I am referring to Lock Washers.

melspuds,

No, this gear is not Arc Resistant gear.

Attached is a photo of the installation. It is a basic single nut and lock washer, which I will recommend re-installing with locktite!
Thanks for the information!!