Goliath Gantry Crane Power Supply: How to Select Right Power Supply

Gantry cranes are widely used in a variety of industrial sectors to lift and move large and heavy loads indoors and outdoors. A reliable gantry crane power source is required to ensure smooth and efficient operations and functioning. Depending on the nature and scale of the application, there are mainly 3 types of  power supply methods for goliath gantry crane.

For gantry cranes, there are three basic power supply options.

• 1. Power supply for the gantry crane through an overhead slide line.
• 2. Power supply for the gantry crane's ground conductor line.
• 3. A ground cable reel for the power supply of the gantry crane.

Each type of power supply for gantry crane has its features and advantages. If you have any need on gantry crane sliding line, conductor line busbar, or cable reel, please feel free to contact us. How to select  the proper power supplying for your overhead gantry crane? Let’s read on.

Power supply for the gantry crane through an overhead slide line.

• Request for >400A, or for a footpath and truck crossing.
•  Material of the pole: concrete or steel.
• Steel-aluminum/copper alloy slide line.
• Mode of power supply: one end (L>100m) or both ends (L>100m).
• Customer scope: Pole and anchor rope foundation, main switch panel, and down shop cable.

 Power supply for the gantry crane's ground conductor line.

• Application for >400A, but not for a footpath or a truck crossing.
• The column's height is approximately 750mm.
• Mounting method: Chemical bolts to the ground and column, with a ground height difference of 10mm.
• Power supply mode: one end (L>100m), mid point (100mL200m), and multiple points (each 100m).
• Customer scope consists of the main switch panel and the down shop wire.

 A ground cable reel for the power supply of the gantry crane.

•  Request for a 150m footpath with no vehicle crossing.
•  Power supply mode: middle.
• Cable channel, grille, main switch panel, and down shop cable are examples of customer scope.

Consider crane capacity, speed, travel distance, environmental conditions, and maintenance requirements when choosing a power supply option for a gantry crane. Each power supply technique has advantages and limitations, so select the one that best meets your application and operational requirements.

Reducing the dangers of electrical hazards

To safeguard lifting gantry crane equipment operators and other employees from electrical shock, this section governs voltage, cabling, design, and construction of pendant controls. These requirements complement OSHA 29 CFR-1910 Subpart S, which outlines employers' obligations to provide employees with a workplace that reduces the danger of arc-flash and other electrical hazards.

Regulations for Overhead and Gantry Cranes (OSHA 1910.179)

The following is an excerpt from OSHA 1910.179* Electrical Equipment.

• Wiring and equipment must conform with this part's subpart S.
• The control circuit voltage shall not exceed 600 volts for alternating current or direct current, and the voltage at pendant push-buttons shall not exceed 150 volts for alternating current or 300 volts for direct current.
• When using multiple conductor cable with a hanging pushbutton station, the station must be supported in some way that protects the electrical conductors from strain.
• Dependent control boxes must be built to prevent electrical shock and appropriately labeled for function identification.

Equipment

• Electrical equipment must be situated or enclosed in such a way that live portions are not exposed to inadvertent contact under normal operating conditions.
• Electric equipment must be kept clean and free of dirt, grease, oil, and moisture.
• Guards for live parts must be strong and placed in such a way that they cannot be accidentally bent and come into touch with the live parts.

Resistors

• Resistor enclosures must have enough ventilation and be built to prevent the accumulation of combustible matter too close to heated parts.
• Resistor units must be supported so that they are as vibration-free as feasible.
• Provision must be taken to prevent broken or molten metal from falling on the operator or the crane.

Switches

• The runway conductors' power supply shall be regulated by a switch or circuit breaker positioned on a fixed structure, accessible from the floor, and arranged to be locked in the open position.

• A switch or circuit breaker of the enclosed type, with provision for locking in the open position, shall be installed in the leads from the runway conductors on cab-operated cranes. The operator must have ready access to a means of activating this switch or circuit breaker.
• A switch or circuit breaker of the enclosed type, with provision for locking in the open position, shall be provided in the leads from the runway conductors on floor-operated cranes. This disconnect must be installed near the runway collectors on a bridge or footpath. Floor-operated disconnects of the following sorts must be provided:
• A nonconductive rope connected to the main disconnect switch. An undervoltage trip for the main circuit breaker activated by an emergency stop button in the pendant pushbutton station.
• A main line contactor controlled by a pendant pushbutton station switch or pushbutton.
• All electric traveling crane hoisting motions must be equipped with an overtravel limit switch in the hoisting direction.
• All cranes that use a lifting magnet must have an enclosed magnet circuit switch that can be locked in the open position. There must be a way to discharge the magnet's inductive load.

Runway conductors

Open-type conductors positioned on crane runway beams or overhead shall be located or guarded in such a way that persons entering or leaving the cab or crane footwalk would typically not come into touch with them.

Extension lamps

If a service receptacle is supplied in the cab or on the bridge of cab-operated cranes, it must be a grounded three-prong type permanent receptacle with a maximum voltage of 300 volts.

Electrical hazards have the potential to be devastating, but they can easily go undiscovered. Stress on equipment, such as dangling pendant controls and wires, may expose employees to the risk of electrical shock over time if not adequately maintained.Contact us to inspect your equipment for conformity with safety requirements and, if necessary, to take corrective action.