Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 3
4 Definitions....................................................... 4
5 General Requirements................................... 4
6 Design............................................................ 5
7 Electrical......................................................... 9
8 Testing and Inspection................................. 22
9 Shipment.... 22
1 Scope
This specification defines the requirements for instrument control panels, control
cabinets, and marshalling cabinets for location in electrically unclassified air-
conditioned buildings.
2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and their applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSS), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Process & Control Systems Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Process & Control Systems
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
Page 2 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
3 References
Page 3 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
4 Definitions
Control Panel: A surface with cut-out(s) used to mount control devices and/or
instrument indicators (e.g., totalizers, pushbuttons, pullbuttons, indicating lights, meters,
annunciators, etc.).
Marshalling Cabinet: A cabinet containing wiring ducts, DIN rails, terminal strips
and/or wire terminations only. The field homerun cables shall be terminated in the
Marshalling Cabinet.
Cabinets: Generically used within this specification; refers to all of the above.
5 General Requirements
All cabinet equipment and wiring shall be designed for continuous operation at
50C, and relative humidity 80% maximum (non-condensing) and 20% minimum.
Commentary Note:
The temperature of 50C allows for a 35C room ambient plus a 15C rise within
the cabinet.
5.3 Heat dissipation calculations shall be submitted for any cabinet that houses
power supplies, PCs or other heat generating components. The calculations
shall show that the components installed inside the cabinet will not be exposed
to a temperature above their temperature rating.
Page 4 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
6 Design
6.1 Style
The cabinets shall be rigid and self-supporting. Unless otherwise specified, the
cabinets shall be free standing, floor mounted type. Instruments and electronic
accessories shall be wired in accordance with this specification. Indoor cabinets
shall be made of metal. When multiple cabinets are provided, it is highly
recommended that they are identical in construction and external appearance.
6.2 Drawings
6.2.1 The cabinet fabricator shall supply detailed drawings for review and
approval.
6.2.4 All Vendor literature and drawings shall be of sufficient size and
quality to be clearly legible.
Page 5 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
6.3 Construction
6.3.1 The cabinet shall be a NEMA Type 1 as a minimum per NEMA 250 and
NEMA ICS 6 or as specified in the functional specification document.
6.3.4 Fans with suitable filters and louvers may be used within control
cabinets to assist in heat removal. This can be achieved by installing a
filter fan at the air inlet (typically at the bottom of the cabinet door) to
blow cool air into the cabinet or by installing an exhaust filter fan at
the air outlet (typically at the upper section of the door) to draw hot air
out of the cabinet. The fan filter shall be easily accessible for
maintenance or replacement without dismantling the fan assembly.
6.3.5 If the fans are required to dissipate heat when the HVAC is running,
redundant fans shall be provided. If the fan(s) are only required to
dissipate heat when the HVAC is not running, a single fan is adequate.
In both cases, fan failure or over-temperature detection and alarm are
required in the DCS.
6.3.7 Where two or more front sections are required for a Control Panel, the
interior shall be an open-frame construction.
6.3.10 Cabinet doors shall be full-height. All doors shall be dust-tight and
reinforced against buckling. The maximum door width shall be
900 mm (36 inches) unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order.
Page 6 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
6.3.11 Cabinets intended for marshalling shall have front access only and
shall be stand-alone. If it is deemed necessary, marshalling cabinets
may have dual doors on the front. The distance from the front surface
to the surface of rear terminal blocks, shall not be more than 400 mm
deep to provide for safe access. The cable entry to the marshalling
cabinet shall be through the bottom unless it is practically not possible.
6.3.13 Where practically possible, control cabinets and panels covered by this
SAMSS should only have a single front door access.
Exception:
6.3.14 When front and rear accesses are provided for control cabinets, each
section of the cabinet shall be treated as a stand-alone cabinet that fully
meets the requirement of this material specification document.
In addition, each section shall have its own full size mounting plate.
Cables and wires extending from one side of the cabinet to the other
shall be routed through the bottom. Cable/wire routing through
penetrations in the mounting plates, or spaces on top or sides of the
mounting plates is not acceptable. If there is no heat dissipation issues,
full height divider plates is highly recommended between the two
section, in addition to the mounting plates.
6.3.15 All doors shall be provided with integral lockable door handles with the
same lock and key combination, unless otherwise specified on the ISS.
6.3.16 Equipment that are installed within cabinets or panels and are normally
used by the operator shall be readable and operable with the operator in
a standing position.
6.3.17 The inside of each door shall be equipped with a pocket suitable for
holding A4 documents and/or cabinet drawings.
6.3.18 Cabinets intended for bottom cable entry shall be provided with a
gland plate at the bottom of the cabinet.
Page 7 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
6.4.1 The exterior and interior cabinet finish shall be the Cabinet Fabricator's
standard finish, unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order.
A minimum of primer, undercoat and finishing coat of enamel or
lacquer is required. Electrostatic applied powder paint coatings which
are then baked (such as polyester urethane) is acceptable.
6.4.2 Interior cabinet color shall be white or of a light color such as light gray,
off-white, etc., or as specified in the purchase order.
6.5 Nameplates
6.5.1 Nameplates for cabinets and panels letter height and spacing shall
follow ISA RP60.6, Appendices A and C, unless otherwise specified in
the purchase order.
6.5.6 Each cabinet, front and rear, shall be identified with a nameplate located
above each door or pair of doors. The nameplate, as a minimum, shall
be the cabinet name/number as given in the cabinet drawings.
6.6.1 Unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order, each cabinet shall be
provided with the following spare capacity to allow for future system
modifications:
a) 20% installed spare terminal blocks of each terminal block type
Page 8 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
b) 10% spare relay bases in cabinets where there are ten relays or
more. For less than ten relay installations, one spare base should
be installed.
Exception:
6.6.2 The Cabinet Fabricator shall supply a minimum of two (2) spare fuses
or 10% (whichever is greater) for each type of general power and
termination strip fuses used within each cabinet. This requirement
includes supplying spares for fuses integral to installed electronics
(i.e., flow computers, field termination assemblies, etc.).
7 Electrical
If the cabinet is equipped with only one circuit breaker for cabinet
lighting, spare breakers are not required.
7.1.2 Power wiring for field instruments, all input and output points, two-
wire analog transmission loops, field switch contacts, etc., shall be
individually fused and provided with a means of disconnecting the
power without disturbing terminated wiring (e.g., knife-switch-type
terminal blocks). Daisy chaining of external loop power using wires or
wire crimps is not acceptable.
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
Exceptions:
Commentary Note:
Note: The basis for the upper DC voltage variations is due to installations where battery back-
up is used without voltage suppression and the batteries receive periodic charging.
7.1.8 Power Supply terminal block distribution wiring shall not be daisy-
chained using wires or crimp connectors. Jumper bars or preformed
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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
jumper combs designed for the specific terminal blocks being used are
acceptable methods of distributing power supply wiring.
7.2.1 Splices are not permitted in wiring. When wiring must be extended,
connections shall be made via terminal blocks.
7.2.2 Twist-on wire nut connectors shall not be used for making any
electrical instrumentation terminations.
Table 2
4-20 mA 24 VDC Copper
Signal Milli Volt
Analog Power/ 125 VDC 120 VAC Network
Category T/C RTD
24 VDC Digital Cable
Milli Volt 0 0 25 150 150 0
T/C RTD 0 0 25 75 75 0
0 0 0 75 75 0
4-20 mA
0 0 0 25 25 0
25 0 0 25 75 0
24 VDC
25 0 0 0 0 0
150 75 25 0 0 50
125 VDC
75 25 0 0 0 25
150 75 75 0 0 75
120 VAC
75 25 0 0 0 50
Copper
0 0 0 50 75 0
Network
0 0 0 25 50 0
Cable
Notes:
1) Upper Value Spacing is for wires in plastic ducts.
2) Lower Value Spacing is for wires separated by:
a) One metal conduit or
b) A 1/16-in. thick grounded steel divider.
3) Voltages shown are nominal.
Page 11 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.2.3.1 Separate plastic ducts are preferable for all Signal Categories
that require separation for organization and noise reduction.
Signal Categories with upper values of zero separation may
be mixed in a plastic duct. Signal Categories shall not be
mixed within any single multicore cable.
Example:
Page 12 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
Commentary Note:
7.4.4 When a cabinet contains CPU and I/O modules, the racks shall be
arranged so that the processor modules are installed in the top and the
I/Os are installed next to the processor modules or beneath them.
7.5.1 When specified, annunciator shall have a horn relay wired to terminals
for connection to the remote horn system.
Wiring for millivolt, microamp, pulse and frequency signals under 1 Volt such as
thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTD), vibration elements,
analyzer elements, thermistor elements and transmitters with pulse outputs may be
directly connected to the I/O unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order.
7.7.2 Terminal strip spacing shall allow ample room for plastic wire ducts
and permit lacing of cables, and fanning of individual wires to
termination points. Each terminal strip shall be labeled above or below
with the terminal strip number, as shown on wiring diagrams.
Terminals for similar (AC or DC) current service shall be grouped
together and physically separated from terminals for different service
by means of dividers, separate mounting rails or separate enclosures.
7.7.3 Standoffs for terminal strips are preferred to bring the terminal blocks
forward to be flush with the top of the plastic wire duct. This wiring
method assures that all wires can be accessed without interference
from other wires as the wire duct is filled.
7.7.4 Where special cases of mixed ESD / Non-ESD signals occur in one
cabinet or control panel (e.g., Solid State / Relay Control Cabinets or
Control Panels with ESD pushbuttons ), terminal strips for Emergency
Page 13 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.7.6 Terminals for various types of general wiring (AC or DC), annunciator
points and signal wiring shall be separately grouped and separated by
dividers.
7.8.1 No more than two bare wires shall be connected to each side of a
single terminal block.
7.8.3 Terminals and terminal block accessories (e.g., DIN rail mounting brackets
for electrical insulation, busbar support blocks, end brackets, etc.) shall be
fire retardant in accordance with UL 94, V0. Terminals and accessories
shall be made of halogen free, high strength material such as polyamide or
equivalent. Brittle materials such as melamine shall not be used.
7.8.4 A fused terminal block shall have a blown-fuse indicator. This may be
a Light Emitting Diode (LED), visual sight indication through a port,
or equivalent.
7.8.5 The disconnect levers for fused terminals and knife-switch terminals
shall be hinged.
7.8.6 Wires terminated on these terminal blocks shall not have the bare ends
coated with or dipped in solder (tinned). However, termination of
wiring which has individual strands of the copper conductor tinned
during manufacture (typical of shield drain wires or for corrosion
protection) is acceptable.
7.8.7 Direct termination of the bare wire end is acceptable. The terminal
block must be suited for the wire size. The use of crimp-on ferrules
shall follow the manufacturer's guidelines and the following:
a) One or two wire ferrule is acceptable. However, the use of
ferrules to daisy chain is not acceptable.
Page 14 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.8.8 Terminal blocks with a narrow, recessed screw entrance which require
a special screwdriver or wrench may be used only if the insulation
material is per Paragraph 7.8.3.
7.8.9 Multiple-deck and spring type terminal blocks shall not be used.
Exception:
7.9.1 Plastic wire ducts with removable covers shall be installed in cabinets
as required to provide a means of routing and organizing wiring.
A minimum of 50 mm shall be maintained between the duct and
terminal strips. Wire markers shall be completely presented without
being obscured by the duct.
7.9.2 The maximum conduit/plastic wire duct fill (including spare capacity)
shall not exceed the heat requirements of NFPA 70.
7.9.3 In addition to the above, the maximum plastic wire duct fill (including
spare capacity) shall not exceed 75% of its depth.
7.9.4 Plastic wire ducts shall be mounted using screws. Double-sided tape is
unacceptable.
7.9.5 Where space limitations preclude the use of plastic wire ducts, wiring
shall be neatly loomed and secured with plastic spiral wrapping or
tie-wraps and anchors. Wiring between movable parts such as doors
shall be installed in flexible hoses.
7.9.7 Wiring shall not be threaded through undressed access holes. Glands or
protective grommets shall be used.
7.9.9 Wire ducts for ESD wiring shall not contain any other types of wiring.
Page 15 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
Hot Black
AC Power Supply: Neutral White or gray
Ground Green or green with yellow tracer
Negative Black
DC Power Supply:
Positive Red
If the wire insulation cannot be color-coded as above, the wire must be sleeved
with the required color. The sleeve shall cover from the cut insulation end to a
point past where the conductor enters the plastic wire duct or a minimum of
4 inches, whichever is less. Sleeves shall not be used over green insulation.
Blue color shall not be used except in intrinsically safe circuits.
7.11.1 Cables with connector plugs shall be tagged at each end. Each cable tag
shall have two labels. The first label (closest to the plug connector) shall
identify the device and socket to which the plug is to be connected.
The second label shall identify the device and socket to which the
opposite end of the cable is connected. The two tags may be combined
into one tag with sufficient separation between the two labels.
7.11.2 The interconnecting wiring shall be tagged at each end with two
identification tags (or the two may be combined into one tag with
sufficient separation between wire numbers). The first tag (closest to
the end of the wire) shall identify the terminal number to which the
wire is physically connected. The second tag shall identify the
terminal number to which the opposite end of the wire is connected.
Commentary Notes:
Where jumpers are installed between terminal blocks in the same row or
column and are clearly visible, wire tagging is not necessary.
Exceptions:
Page 16 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.11.5 Wire tags shall be installed and oriented such that the tags are easily
read. (Upside down or covering of tag information by plastic duct
covers is not acceptable).
7.11.7 Per NEC 310-120, all conductors and cables shall be marked to
indicate the following information:
1) Maximum rated voltage for which the conductor was listed,
2) The letter designators for type of wire or cable,
3) Manufacture's name or trade mark,
4) The AWG size or circular mil area.
7.11.8 All cable ties used inside of cabinets shall be weather resistant nylon
cable ties with a stainless steel barb. The cable tie shall have a
maximum continuous use temperature rating of 85C or higher,
e.g., Panduit Dome-Top Barb Ty Cable Ties - Weather Resistant, or
equivalent.
Page 17 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.12.2 In addition to 7.12.1, each row of Power supply and bus terminals shall
be marked with voltage type and level (e.g., +24 VDC, or 120 VAC,
etc.).
7.13 Relays
7.13.2 Each relay shall be supplied with a bracket or holding clips to prevent
it from falling off the base (socket). Using relays that are permanently
attached to the relay base is not acceptable.
7.13.3 A dedicated relay base shall be provided for each relay. Using multi-
socket modules that can accommodate more than one relay is not
acceptable.
7.13.4 The mounting socket shall be provided with a plastic label, color
black-white (relay number engraved into the black core with white
surface, dull finish). The relay tag shall not be mounted directly on the
relay and shall be visible when the relay is installed. The relay number
shall be shown as presented in the detailed cabinet drawings.
7.13.6 Coil voltage shall be as specified in the Purchase Order. Pull-in voltage
should be 85% or less of nominal voltage.
Page 18 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
Push buttons and lights shall be industrial quality. Push buttons shall have
protective mechanisms to prevent accidental activation as required by the
detailed design specification. Long-life type lamps or LED cluster lamps shall
be used. It shall be possible to access the lamp bulbs from the front for
replacement. The color of the pushbuttons or lights shall be green for
ON/OPEN and red for OFF/CLOSE positions. Only screw terminals
shall be provided on push buttons.
Exception:
Existing facilities that currently deviate from the above light color specification
may use other conventions in order to keep the lighting philosophy consistent
within the facility.
For all control panels with indicating lights, a lamp test button shall be provided
per panel.
Exceptions:
7.16.1 Individual circuit breakers shall be provided for each power supply
unit.
7.16.2 Fuses and circuit breakers shall be readily accessible for maintenance
with sufficient clearance from obstructions.
7.16.3 Tandem type (dual) circuit breakers in a single molded case shall not
be used, as the failure of one breaker requires complete replacement of
the assembly.
Page 19 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.17.1 Cable shields must have a single, continuous path to ground. Ground
loops and floating shields shall be avoided. Shields shall be
consolidated and ultimately connected to the Instrument Circuit
Ground Bar as detailed in paragraph 7.18.6.
7.17.2 Shield drain wires shall not be daisy-chained using bare wires or crimp
connectors to the ground connection.
7.18 Grounding
7.18.1 Both safety ground and instrumentation circuit ground must conform to
NEC, Article 250. Grounding system recommendations and
requirements provided by manufacturers of instrumentation and control
systems (e.g., Distributed Control Systems) shall be followed.
7.18.3 All ground buses shall be made of a solid copper measuring the
following nominal dimensions 5mm x 40 mm x (y length), suitably
drilled and tapped for screw terminals and wire lugs, or fitted with
screw-type compression lugs.
Commentary Note:
7.18.4 The preferred location of the ground bus bars is at the bottom of the
cabinet.
Page 20 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.18.6 The ground bus bars shall be labeled and wired as follows:
7.18.8 All enclosure doors and subpanels shall be electrically bonded to main
enclosure frame by a braided ground strap (wire size #8 AWG or
equivalent).
7.19.3 Incandescent lamps shall have a guard to help protect the lamp from
accidental breakage. Fluorescent lamps shall have clear plastic sleeve
guards to help contain broken glass in case of an accident.
Page 21 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
7.19.6 A switch in the cabinet (in addition to the circuit breaker) shall control
each lamp where the lamp is installed. Automatic door switches for
lamps are allowed.
The Cabinet Fabricator shall verify the operation of all instrumentation and controls.
Documented test procedures shall be submitted to the proponent for approval not less
than thirty (30) days before commencement of test. Tests shall include, but shall not be
limited to:
a) A function test of all electronic instruments and electric control circuits and relays.
b) Visual inspection to verify compliance with requirements of this specification.
c) Complete wiring check with verification that terminal and wiring code conforms
to cabinet design drawings.
d) A certificate of compliance to the RFI requirements of IEC 61000-4-3, Level 3.
The certificate(s) shall be for either the entire cabinet or for all the electronic
equipment installed within the cabinet.
The cabinet electronic equipment shall perform within the normal limits without loss of
function or degradation of performance when subjected to radiated electromagnetic
fields in accordance with IEC 61000-4-3, Level 3, (at a 10 V/m power level), with
cabinet doors open. If certificates are not available, the equipment in the cabinet shall
function within the normal limit when tested with a 5 watt radio transceivers operating
at 5 Watts within the frequency ranges, 50-174 MHz, 406- 470MHz, and 800-870 MHz
and held at a distance of 1.0 meter from the cabinet, with cabinet doors open.
9 Shipment
Page 22 of 23
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee 34-SAMSS-820
Issue Date: 17 June 2015
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2017 Instrument Control Cabinets - Indoor
Revision Summary
1 January 2013 Revised the Next Planned Update. Reaffirmed the content of the document, and
reissued with minor revisions for clarification of some of the requirements in response to
questions received from various project teams.
19 March 2014 Changed primary contact details and reissued with minor rewording.
16 September 2014 Minor revision intended to clarify the indoor cabinet requirements and to correct some
typographical errors.
17 June 2015 Editorial revision is being carried to align the standard with government directive of
allowing 230 volts.
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