Informal document N°17

67th WP 15 session.

Proposed Text Changes to the 2001 ADR for Battery Master Switches.

Chapter 9, Section 9.2.2, Electrical Equipment.

9.2.2.3	Battery Master Switch

9.2.2.3.1	A switch for breaking the electrical circuits shall be placed as close to the battery as possible.

9.2.2.3.2	The control device to facilitate the disconnect/reconnect functions of the switch shall be installed in the driver's cab. It shall be readily accessible to the driver and be distinctively marked. It shall be protected against inadvertent operation by either adding a protective cover, by using a dual movement control device or by other suitable means.

9.2.2.3.3	The switch shall have a casing with protection degree IP 65 in accordance with IEC Standard 529.

9.2.2.3.4	The cable connections on the switch shall have protection degree IP 54. However, this does not apply if these connections are contained in a housing, which may be the battery box. In this case it is sufficient to insulate the connections against short circuits, for example with a rubber cover.

Justifications:

The adopted text for the restructured ADR (as per TRANS/WP 15/157/157/Add.1) deletes the current requirement for an external control device and only requires an in-cab control device for the battery master switch. Whilst it logically follows that if this is the only required control device it must be capable of facilitating the disconnect and reconnect functions of the switch, it may be appropriate to ensure the text of paragraph 9.2.2.3.2 is clarified on this point.

____________