Download I have reviewed the Minutes and they correctly represent the actions

I have reviewed the Minutes and they correctly represent the actions taken by the Commission.
________________________
Tony Ainley, Chairman
ELECTRICAL COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG
MUNICIPAL CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM A
MONDAY, JULY 18, 2005
Members Present:
Tony Ainley, Chairman
Dominic Bratta, Member
Tom Lesiewicz, Member
Chuck Malchiodi, Member
Richard Sipple, Member
Others Present:
John Nipaver, Vice President of Production, John Portman & Associates
Rolf Stute, Engineer, John Portman & Associates
The chairman called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Member Rich Sipple and seconded by Member Tom Lesiewicz to
approve the minutes of March 7, 2005 meeting of the Electrical Commission. All Ayes.
MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Schaumburg Convention Center – the use of 70 volt low voltage wiring
Chairman Ainley explained to the members that in the Schaumburg Electrical Code
Amendments (152.40) (A), it states all conductors that are rated 50 volts or greater,
shall be installed in rigid heavy wall galvanized steel, conduit, intermediate conduit
or electrical tubing or pvc. Chairman Ainley went on to explain that the convention center
will be installing a music/pa system which will be operating at 70 volts and the architect and
sound engineer involved were requesting a variance to install it free rather than in conduit.
Chairman Ainley stated that if a hard lid or drywall ceiling exists, then conduit will have to be
used.
Member Dominic Bratta expressed to the members his concerns with add-ons. He wondered
how add-ons would be possible without having it strung all over. He feels if there was
conduit present someone would have the ability to pull from point A to point B.
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July 18, 2005
Page 2 of 3
Chairman Ainley then introduced John Nipaver and Rolf Stute from John Portman &
Associates, to the members of the committee. Mr. Stute stated that their purpose for being at
meeting. Mr. Stute expressed to the members that this would only pertain to the speaker
power cables. He explained that the fire alarm speakers would be a stand alone system and
would comply with NFPA requirements. He explained that the speaker system would be used
for background music and/or has different zones. He stated that the industry is currently using
between 50-70 volt systems. The speaker system that they are proposing would be classified
as class 2 and class 3, so they are only addressing the power distribution from the amplifier
to each speaker and the amplifier needs to be rated for that purpose, that would then give
the opportunity to provide cabling from the amplifier to the individual speakers as a plenum
rated cable without installing it into metal conduit. Mr. Stute stated that there were sections
in the Electrical Code which would allow this type of installation, however it is up to the
interpretation of the local authorities. He referred to Article 725, 640.9, which talks about
class 2 and class 3. They do not want to use a class 1 as it would require a higher voltage.
He went on to say that each and every power circuit that is feeding a certain group of speakers
and amplifiers will be protected by an over current detection device that is limited to 20 amps.
Chairman Ainley asked if they had planned on using conduit in the dry walled ceilings. Mr.
Stute stated that no conduit would be used and they are requesting to install the whole system
into a plenum rated cable and bundled in accordance with Section 725. Mr. Stute stated that
the cable may be across an area 20 or 30 feet where there is no accessibility, but once you get
to the other side, there is a lay in ceiling.
Chairman Ainley explained to Mr. Stute that he was unaware that the variance included
running the system over dry walled ceilings. Chairman Ainley stated it doesn’t matter what
the voltage is in that case, it’s an accessibility issue. Mr. Stute stated that if a hard ceiling is
crossed where the speakers are connected there is accessibility to the connection point, but
there is not the capability of pulling a cable out, because if it is secured properly there is no
means to pull that cable. Mr. Stute stated he did not foresee a reason why this would happen
because the cable they use is 14 or 18 gauge wires.
Chairman Ainley asked Mr. Stute if 14 or 18 gauge wires ever go bad. Mr. Stute stated
he could not say whether they do or not, but if they did there would be a problem. Mr. Stute
stated that this was not the optimum solution, but that there were budget problems. He went
on say that inadequacy of removing or replacing a cable becomes an operational issue and that
the owner was aware of this.
Chairman Ainley expressed to Mr. Stute that the cables will go bad or maybe the cabling
would need to be changed or run a new type, and doubts that the old wires would be pulled out
to replace it, so how will the cable get back in the same loom or in the same area that it was
before it was drywalled.
Mr. Stute explained to the members that a 70 volt system is a common industry standard and
because this is a big system there is no choice but to use a 70 volt or higher system because of
the distance the cables need to travel and with a smaller system like a 25 volt system, the
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July 18, 2005
Page 3 of 3
cables become monstrous and economically not feasible. He has used this system with a class
2 and class 3 amplifier in various parts of the country before, with approval.
Mr. Stute & Mr. Nipaver then left the meeting and the members discussed the accessibility
issue. The members were very uncomfortable with allowing the wiring to be installed in a dry
walled area that would not be in conduit. Member Chuck Malchiodi read the code section to
the others members and stated that the code is very specific on this issue and it must be
installed in conduit.
After much discussion a motion was made by Member Rich Sipple and seconded by
Member Chuck Malchiodi to allow the use of a 70.7 volt wiring system in the accessible
areas without conduit, inaccessible areas the 70.7 volt wiring system is to be installed in
conduit, and the maximum volts not to exceed 70.7. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Ikea – pre-manufactured wiring system
No representatives from Ikea were present at the meeting to discuss the pre-manufactured
wiring system.
Since there was no further business, a motion was made by Member Rich Sipple and
seconded by Member Rick Connolly to adjourn the meeting at 7:50p.m. All Ayes.
MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Witkowski
Recording Secretary