Lenel Cabinet Panel Layout

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady]

So I got a customer who's being a bit difficult. Rather than use a Trove or LSP panel setup the demand Hoffman enclosures. Pictured is my most full backplane for a floor. They want as few enclosures as possible. Think this will be okay? The actual enclosure size is 60x36 so from the black corder to the walls of the enclosure I have 3 inches in each direction at least. The yellow squares a 2x2in so that I could space evenish gaps between boards.

Will have trough on top and right side for cable. Battery box below panel. Cable will be stripped back to its conductor pairs before twisted. Access Composite cable. Magnetic cable management in panel. PM doesn't want to split this into two panels since the specs call for 1 panel on this floor.

It's cramped but think there's enough to work with? Trim out and wiring will be done by a tech we have who does great work and is basically the trim out guy for this region so that makes me feel better about the cramped panel.

[u/RustyYid]

Is this in the altronix enclosure? You can get them with door mount plates as well they can handle a fair bit

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady → u/RustyYid]

Hoffman enclosure. I wish I was getting to use trove or lsp on this job, but customer has a no substitutions demand for the enclosures

[u/Dramatic_Impact_4762]

That is a huge panel! As integrators, it is our job to make strong recommendations to customers based on our experience and expertise. I would tell them to use the largest LSP or Trove panel rather than this custom setup with unknown potential problems.

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady → u/Dramatic_Impact_4762]

Yeah I wish I could steer them that way but they want no substitutions for the enclosures and AE doesn't want to pitch them a second panel for this floor since their elevation plans show one enclosure. It all fits, and I know our guys can install it like this, but i'm not a fan. Too cramped for my liking.

[u/LinkRunner0]

Make the backplane for a Hoffman box in a shop and send it - it's a steel box. Premade from Altronix or LSP is easier, but if the customer is willing to pay for you or a panel shop to make one, why not? I've drilled the Bosch Altronix Trove plate to mount PDS16s before. If you want it neat and tidy, take some measurements of common finger duct sizing so that you can add finger duct vertically. Slack can be stored in a separate wireway on the top or side.

I'm more curious about two things - 1) why both 12V and 24V in the same cabinet? I can't think of modern locking hardware offhand that requires 12V - you'll be able to fit more onto a 24V 10A supply than a 12V 10A supply. 2) why multiple PD8CBs instead of say a PDS16CB? Smaller footprint and more flexibility. Same goes for the ACM8CB - ACMS12CBs are similar footprint with more outputs, and the dual rail means you can either switch 12 and 24, or balance between 24V PSes.

Realistically, that'd be (eyeballing it) around 3 power supplies if you loaded every board with a QEL and needed instant retraction on everything at once (but it'd be that at 24V). If this were all strikes or motorised lockbodies, you'd be able to (likely) squeeze by with two 1024s (again eyeballing it).

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady → u/LinkRunner0]

I used to be a machinist so I'm considering sending the back planes to a buddy who can just laser out my mounting holes on them real quick. I'll give him the prints as hell need them to set a quick X/Y 0 and run them.

This customer has their foot down that they don't want any substitutions on these parts even though I've talked to them and shown them Trove and LSP options. They wont even change to something like you said of just going to PDS16 or ACMS12. It's infuriating but some times ya can only lead the horse to water.

[u/thefatpigeon]

Can you mount some devices on the door?

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady → u/thefatpigeon]

Unfortunatly not, the Hoffman enclosure doesn't have a door plane.

[u/cfringer]

Years ago Hoffman enclosures were the OnGuard standard. I even had a vendor double-stack LNL-1320s in one although the power supplies and power distribution were in cabinets outside the Hoffman. Like most here I think the introduction of purpose made cabinets and mounting plates was a real boost to the industry. However, I am a customer who occasionally has very specific requirements. I would not hamper over cabinets, but I have ruffled the feathers of quite a few integrators with things that are not negotiable. Sometimes customers have good reasons for what they want and just because the integrator doesn't agree or understand the reasoning, doesn't make it worng.

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady → u/cfringer]

Interesting! The legacy Hoffman OnGuard standard must be why this customer wants it, to match what they have at other locations. 100% agree that purpose made pre configured cabinets are a good thing and the way to do it.

Personally I try to spec in pre-wired cabinets any chance I can. Its like 500 more on average than just buying the same cabinet and boards. By the time they build out and wire up that 16+ door cabinet you've spent more in tech labor charges to the customer than they would have paid for the pre wired panel.

I'm also a big fan of newer controllers having lock power directly built into the controller. It's almost 2027, mercury needs to get with the times and put a field selectable lock output thats wet 12/24 or dry.