Existing Outdoor Power Falls Short
For facilities with outdoor space to reach their full potential, outdoor power is needed. A food cart on a pedestrian mall requires a place to plug in. Same thing for a company that wants to have the ability to hold meetings outside. And workers and customers will take advantage of outdoor opportunities more often if they can charge their phones and other devices.
Traditionally, a lack of viable outdoor power options has been a limiting factor. Products are not UL-rated for outdoor use, or they just don’t withstand the elements. In-ground power boxes, for example, have been notorious for leaking, causing them to fail and creating safety risks. Above-ground posts are practically magnets for mowers and other equipment, plus they are tripping hazards.
Temporary power and workarounds have proved to be no better. One common system is bringing wiring from a building and covering it with mats. This takes time and labor to set up and tear down, as well as introduces tripping hazards. Facilities also will sometimes use generators, which require setup and removal, are cumbersome and noisy.
“The companies I work with have wanted permanent outdoor power for a very long time,” Lundquist states. “They almost didn’t think it was possible, and even when there was an option, it was ugly or unsafe. They’ve wanted something that works, is visually appealing and is not a hazard.”
Legrand has developed two new products that meet those standards. The Outdoor Ground Box is the first while-in-use ground box to be UL-rated. It has power, data, and AV connectivity and comes in 20- and 30-amp options. Multiple boxes can be ganged together.
The key feature is its diving bell design. A diving bell is a chamber with an open bottom that remains filled with air when lowered into water. The devices have traditionally been used in underwater work and exploration because the chamber has air that can be breathed and is dry.
Legrand took this concept and applied it to outdoor power. The electrical connections and outlets in the Outdoor Ground Box are in a diving bell—that is, they are protected by an air pocket. Independent experts have verified it works as promised. It has an International Protection (IP) 68 rating for protecting against water and dust and a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 6P rating for its wiring enclosure’s ability to withstand “prolonged submersion” in water.
The Outdoor Ground Box sits flush to the ground and comes in three colors, helping it blend into the landscape. It has a Tier 5 load rating for being able to withstand an occasional 5,000-pound load.
“People have wanted an in-ground box that provides permanent power and doesn’t fail for years,” Lundquist says.
The other new product is the Outdoor Charging Station. These pedestals, ranging from 34 to 48 inches, give people a way to charge mobile devices in outdoor spaces like company courtyards, restaurant patios and retail plazas. They include a combination of standard power outlets and USB outlets. The Outdoor Charging Station is NEMA 3R-rated for outdoor use.
“If you want people to spend time in your outdoor space, then you need to give them a way to charge their devices,” Lundquist says.
The trend is clear: Activities we used to do inside are moving outside. And people are taking their mobile devices with them. This has led to demand for outdoor power and data connectivity. “Facility managers and engineers have been desiring outdoor power for a very long time,” Lundquist remarks. “Having it opens up a whole new avenue of possibilities.”
Watch a video about a Legrand charging station at a school.