A new range of traffic cabinets has been released that have been designed to ensure the safety of highway engineers. McCain Inc has introduced the LX cabinet series, an innovative new line of traffic cabinets focused on personnel safety. Through minor modifications to key cabinet assemblies, the LX cabinet series safeguards against accidental electrocution of workers accessing the cabinet interior. The company says the LX cabinet’s design reflects a new way of thinking when it comes to the safety of those working on traffic cabinets. There are a number of people that may gain access to cabinets at intersections, such as traffic engineers, signal technicians, consultants, and city employees. Though many may have received some level of training on working with high voltages, it is unlikely that everyone granted access is aware of all the live and potentially dangerous high-current components. Through simple design modifications to the power distribution assembly (PDA), as well as output and input files, the LX cabinet series protects against inadvertent contact with live or arcing parts. Such guarding of live or arcing parts is readily addressed in the USA’s national safety standards, including the National Electric Code (NEC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The incorporated changes are marginal yet effective and, most importantly, do not hinder the ability of trained technicians to quickly access, program, or troubleshoot assemblies in the field.
The first models of the new LX cabinet series include three four-door versions: the 342LX and 346LX Cabinets that feature an oversized design, easily accommodating components for intersection management, while providing ample space for additional equipment for alternate ITS applications, such as dynamic message sign (DMS) control, CCTV, or communication equipment; and the 344LX Cabinet that has been designed for ramp metering deployments. The range also includes a general purpose 342/4LX Hub, CCTV, ITS Cabinet, an industry-standard 170/2070-style cabinet that is suitable for accommodating a wide variety of roadside communications and ITS components. All the cabinets in the LX range adhere to industry-standard size requirements and capabilities. They also adhere to the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) 2009 Transportation Electrical Equipment Specifications (TEES) and TEES 2009 Errata No. 2. Several models from the LX cabinet series are already featured on the latest Caltrans Qualified Product List (QPL). Additional two-door models, such as the 332LX, 334LX, and 336LX are scheduled for release later in the year.
“The design for the LX cabinet series is unparalleled,” said Reza Roozitalab, vice president of hardware engineering at McCain. “It marks a truly new approach to cabinet design and worker safety, inspired by the nation’s foremost experts on safety; NFPA and OSHA. We are excited to bring this product to market and offer a realistic means of keeping people safe in the field.”
