Alpha Smart BDFB Quick start guide

Technical Guide 9400009-J0
Effective: 05/2018
Smart BDFB
Alpha Technologies Ltd.

Alpha Breaker Distribution Fuse Bay
Smart BDFB
For technical support, contact Alpha Technologies:
Canada and USA: 1-888-462-7487
International: [phone]
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 Alpha Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Alpha is a registered trademark of Alpha Technolo-
gies.
No part of this documentation shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, translated, transcribed, or transmit-
ted in any form or by any means manual, electric, electronic, electromechanical, chemical, optical, or otherwise
without prior explicit written permission from Alpha Technologies.
This document, the software it describes, and the information and know-how they contain constitute the proprietary,
confidential and valuable trade secret information of Alpha Technologies, and may not be used for any unauthorized
purpose, or disclosed to others without the prior written permission of Alpha Technologies.
The material contained in this document is for information only and is subject to change without notice. While
reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, Alpha Technologies
assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained
herein. Alpha Technologies reserves the right to make changes in the product design without reservation and with-
out notification to its users.
Alpha shall not be held liable for any damage or injury involving its enclosures, power
supplies, generators, batteries, or other hardware if used or operated in any manner or
subject to any condition inconsistent with its intended purpose, or if installed or oper-
ated in an unapproved manner, or improperly maintained.
Photographs contained in this manual are for illustrative purposes only. These photo-
graphs may not match your installation.
NOTE:
Operator is cautioned to review the drawings and illustrations contained in this manual
before proceeding. If there are questions regarding the safe operation of this powering
system, contact Alpha Technologies or your nearest Alpha representative.
NOTE:
NOTE:
Equipment to be installed in restricted access areas by qualied technicians only.
NOTE:

9400009-J0 Rev K
2

3
9400009-J0 Rev K
Table of Contents
1. Safety....................................................................................................................................7
1.1 Safety Symbols .......................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 General Warning and Cautions.................................................................................................. 7
1.3 Electrical Safety ......................................................................................................................... 8
1.4 Battery Safety ............................................................................................................................ 8
2. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................9
2.1 Scope of the Manual .................................................................................................................. 9
2.2 Product Overview....................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Product Features ....................................................................................................................... 9
3. Specications......................................................................................................................10
3.1 Product Specications ............................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Load Bus Arrangements ...........................................................................................................11
3.3 Distribution Panels ................................................................................................................... 14
4. Installation...........................................................................................................................16
4.1 Pre-Installation Preparation ..................................................................................................... 16
4.2 Frame Installation .................................................................................................................... 18
4.3 DC and Grounding Cables Installation..................................................................................... 20
4.4 BDFB Smart VI Monitor ........................................................................................................... 34
4.5 Connecting the Smart VI Monitor............................................................................................. 39
4.6 BDFB Monitor (original) ........................................................................................................... 43
4.7 Separating Panels.................................................................................................................... 50
4.8 Combining Panels.................................................................................................................... 51
4.9 Installing/Changing the Load Shunt Bus Kit ............................................................................ 52
4.10 Installing/Changing the Inter Link Bar Kit............................................................................... 53
4.11 Converting the BDFB System ................................................................................................ 54
4.12 Internal Return ....................................................................................................................... 58
4.13 Converting the Internal Return from 2-load to a 4-load.......................................................... 59
4.14 Converting the Internal Return to a 6- or 8-load System ....................................................... 60
4.15 Booster Bar Installation.......................................................................................................... 61

9400009-J0 Rev K
4
4.16 External Return Installation.................................................................................................... 63
5. Maintenance .......................................................................................................................66
5.1 Breaker Panel Interface Replacement (alarm strip)................................................................. 67
5.2 Smart VI Monitor / Display Replacement ................................................................................. 69
6. Warranty Statement and Service Information .....................................................................71
6.1 Technical Support .................................................................................................................... 71
6.2 Warranty Statement ................................................................................................................. 71
6.3 Product Warranty ..................................................................................................................... 71
6.4 Battery Warranty ...................................................................................................................... 71
6.5 Warranty Claims....................................................................................................................... 71
6.6 Service Information .................................................................................................................. 71
7. Acronyms and Denitions ...................................................................................................72
8. Certication.........................................................................................................................73
List of Figures
Figure 1 — BDFB, 8-feed secondary distribution system, 24".......................................................... 9
Figure 2 — BDFB load bus arrangements...................................................................................... 12
Figure 3 — Detailed view of load bus arrangement........................................................................ 13
Figure 4 — Breaker / fuse holder distribution ................................................................................. 14
Figure 5 — Front view breaker distribution panels, left and right banks shown.............................. 15
Figure 6 — Base dimensions and mounting holes, 24" wide model............................................... 18
Figure 7 — Base dimensions and mounting holes, 32" wide model............................................... 19
Figure 8 — BDFB frame reference ground images (back and front) .............................................. 23
Figure 9 — BDFB auxiliary wiring connector(original) .................................................................... 25
Figure 10 — BDFB auxiliary wiring connector
(Smart VI monitor*) ............................................................................................................... 25
Figure 11 — Detail A, top termination 8 panel, 8 load..................................................................... 26
Figure 12 — Detail B, top termination 8 panel, 4 load .................................................................... 27
Figure 13 — Left hand bank ........................................................................................................... 29
Figure 14 — Right hand bank ......................................................................................................... 29

5
9400009-J0 Rev K
Figure 15 — Top front of the BDFB, removing the alarm panel ...................................................... 30
Figure 16 — Alarm relay board (back view).................................................................................... 31
Figure 17 — BDFB breaker panels................................................................................................. 32
Figure 18 — Monitor Display (8 panel, 4 loads shown) .................................................................. 34
Figure 19 — Smart VI Monitor, navigation buttons ......................................................................... 34
Figure 20 — Smart VI Monitor, Display Mode (8 panel, 8 loads shown) ........................................ 35
Figure 21 — Stand alone BDFB with Smart VI Monitor .................................................................. 39
Figure 22 — Connecting Smart BDFB with external CXC HP controller ........................................ 40
Figure 23 — Cordex CXC HP Controller (left side view) ................................................................ 41
Figure 24 — Smart BDFB with integrated CXC HP controller ........................................................ 42
Figure 25 — BDFB monitor interface.............................................................................................. 43
Figure 26 — Installing a load shunt bus kit ..................................................................................... 52
Figure 27 — 8-Panel, top fed BDFB ............................................................................................... 54
Figure 28 — Top fed, 4-load system ............................................................................................... 55
Figure 29 — Converting a 4-load system ....................................................................................... 56
Figure 30 — Top fed 8-load system ................................................................................................ 57
Figure 31 — BDFB side-view, showing internal return option......................................................... 58
Figure 32 — Booster bar shown for a 4-load system...................................................................... 59
Figure 33 — Booster bars shown for a 6- or 8-load system ........................................................... 60
Figure 34 — External return base kit ............................................................................................. 63
Figure 35 — External return adder kit, 3 kits shown ...................................................................... 63
Figure 36 — External return, 4-bar, horizontal conguration .......................................................... 64
Figure 37 — External return connection, (Return A shown)............................................................ 64
Figure 38 — Landing the cables ..................................................................................................... 65
Figure 39 — Smart VI Monitor Board.............................................................................................. 70
Figure 40 — Cable Assignment ...................................................................................................... 70

9400009-J0 Rev K
6

7
9400009-J0 Rev K
1. Safety
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS: This manual contains important safety instructions that must
be followed during the installation, servicing, and maintenance of the product. Keep it in a safe place. Review the
drawings and illustrations contained in this manual before proceeding. If there are any questions regarding the safe
installation or operation of this product, contact Alpha Technologies or the nearest Alpha representative.
1.1 Safety Symbols
To reduce the risk of injury or death, and to ensure the continued safe operation of this product, the following sym-
bols have been placed throughout this manual. Where these symbols appear, use extra care and attention.
The use of ATTENTION indicates specic regulatory/code requirements that may a󰀨ect the
placement of equipment and /or installation procedures.
WARNING!
WARNING presents safety information to PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH to personnel.
Warnings are indicated by a shock hazard icon, the word WARNING, and a rule beneath
which the information appears.
WARNING!
You must read and understand the following warnings before installing the enclosure
and its component. Failure to do so could result in personal injury or death.
CAUTION!
CAUTION indicates safety information intended to PREVENT DAMAGE to material or
equipment. Cautions are designated with a yellow warning triangle, the word CAUTION,
and a rule beneath which the information appears.
NOTE:
A NOTE provides additional information to help complete a specic task or procedure.
Notes are designated with a checkmark, the word NOTE, and a rule beneath which the
information appears
HOT!
The use of HOT presents safety information to PREVENT BURNS to the technician or
user.
1.2 General Warning and Cautions
• Read and follow all instructions included in this manual.
• Only trained personnel are qualified to install or replace this equipment and its components.
• Use proper lifting techniques whenever handling equipment, parts, or batteries.

9400009-J0 Rev K
8
1.3 Electrical Safety
WARNING!
WARNING!
Before working with any live battery or power system, follow these precautions:
a. Remove all metallic jewelry, such as watches, rings, metal rimmed glasses, or necklaces.
b. Wear safety glasses with side shields at all times during the installation.
c. Use OSHA approved insulated hand tools. Do not rest tools on top of batteries.
Lethal voltages are present within the power system. Always assume that an electrical
connection or conductor is energized. Check the circuit with a voltmeter with respect to
the grounded portion of the enclosure (both AC and DC) before performing any installa-
tion or removal procedure.
Follow battery manufacturer’s safety recommendations when working around battery
systems. Do not smoke or introduce an open ame when batteries (especially vented
batteries) are charging. When charging, batteries vent hydrogen gas, which can explode.
WARNING!
Hazardous voltages are present at the input of power systems. The DC output from rec-
tiers and batteries, though not dangerous in voltage, has a high short-circuit current
capacity that may cause severe burns and electrical arcing.
• Do not work alone under hazardous conditions.
• A licensed electrician is required to install permanently wired equipment. Input voltages can range up to
240 Vac. Ensure that the utility power is disconnected and locked out before performing any installation or
removal procedure.
• Ensure that no liquids or wet clothes come into contact with internal components.
• Hazardous electrically live parts inside this unit are energized from the batteries even when the AC input
power is disconnected.
• The enclosure which contains the DC or AC power system along with customer installed radios must remain
locked at all times, except when authorized service personnel are present.
• Always assume electrical connections or conductors are live. Turn off all circuit breakers and double-check
with a voltmeter before performing installation or maintenance.
• Place a warning label on the utility panel to warn emergency personnel that a reserve battery source is pres-
ent which will power the loads in a power outage condition or if the AC disconnect breaker is turned off.
• At high ambient temperature conditions, the internal temperature can be hot so use caution when touching
the equipment.
1.4 Battery Safety
• Never transport an enclosure with batteries installed. Batteries must ONLY be installed after the enclosure has
been securely set in place at its permanent installation location. Transporting the unit with batteries installed may
cause a short circuit, fire, explosion, and/or damage to the battery pack, enclosure and installed equipment.
• Servicing and connection of batteries must be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, personnel
knowledgeable of batteries and the required safety precautions.
• Batteries contain or emit chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery post terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your hands after
handling batteries.
• Batteries are hazardous to the environment and should be disposed at a recycling facility. Consult the battery
manufacturer for recommended local authorized recyclers.