GB2488338A

GB2488338A - Traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2488338A
Application number: GB201103089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Mcgee; Feargal O'connell
Original assignee: NAL Ltd
Current assignee: NAL Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-23
Filing date: 2011-02-23
Publication date: 2012-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-23
Also published as: GB2488338B; GB201103089D0

Abstract

A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor comprises a hollow base housing 12 and a sealing tray 14. The base housing has an open upper end 18 for supporting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet (48, Fig 4), an open lower end adapted to mate with an access chamber (38, Fig 3), and a closable access opening 24 in a side wall 16. The sealing tray is for sealing a cable or duct 68 passing therethrough. Preferably, the sealing tray is a gland tray and, more preferably, is removable.

Description

Traffic-Signal Controller-Cabinet Adaptor The present invention relates to a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor, and to a method of using the same.

Traffic-signal controller-cabinets are widely used and are found in the vicinity of traffic signals, for example, at road junctions. These controller cabinets are placed at convenient locations so as not to impede pedestrian access whilst also enabling convenient access by an installer or maintenance person. However, the controller cabinet is spaced from the access chamber in the ground supplying the cabling to and from the controller cabinet. To this end, cabling channels or trenches have to be provided from the access chamber to the base of the controller-cabinet, disrupting the installation process and increasing installation costs.

Presently, a controller-cabinet is mounted on a ground-embedded framework stool having open sides, top and bottom. This provides no protection for the cabling ducts entering the base of the controller-cabinet. If the stool is fully recessed below ground level, then the access door in the front of the controller-cabinet is impeded. If the stool is only partially recessed, then the open base of the controller-cabinet is subject to the ingress of dirt, debris and moisture, thereby causing issues for the electronic circuitry housed within the controller-cabinet.

Furthermore, fitting of new cabling to an existing installation is uncomfortable for the installer due to working at low level, highly disruptive. The base seal must be broken out and a large amount of material removed to provide sufficient cable access. The new cable can then be fed from the access chamber to the stool and into the controller-cabinet. Reinstatement of the material and re-sealing to ground level is as equally disruptive and time consuming.

Additionally, the epoxy resin presently used to seal the sand base in the stool is carcinogenic, resulting in health risks during installation and removal.

Finally, if upgrading a controller-cabinet, the stools are not common and thus must also be removed. Again, to break the embedded and sealed stool out vastly increases the upgrade costs and installation time.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor comprising a hollow base housing having an open upper end for supporting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet, and an open lower end adapted to mate with an access chamber opening, the base housing including a closable access opening in a side wall, and a sealing tray on or in the base housing for sealing a cable and/or duct passing therethrough.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 13, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an access chamber in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the adaptor is seatable on an upper edge of the access chamber to close or substantially close an access opening to the access chamber.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 16 to 20, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet supported by the adaptor, the traffic-signal controller-cabinet being connectable to the adaptor at its upper end so as to cover the sealing tray.

Preferable and/or optional features of the third aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 23 to 25, inclusive.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of an access chamber and a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, and further in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet supported by the adaptor, the traffic-signal controller-cabinet being connectable to the adaptor at its upper end so as to cover the sealing tray.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of adapting an access chamber to support a traffic-signal controller-cabinet, the method comprising the steps of: a) mounting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor according to the first aspect of the invention to an upper edge of the access chamber; b) feeding cabling and/or ducting from the access chamber through the sealing tray of the adaptor; and c) mounting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet on the adaptor, wherein the cabling projects from the sealing tray into the controller-cabinet.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fitting an additional cable andlor duct to a traffic-signal controller-cabinet mounted on a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of: a) opening the closable access opening of the adaptor; and b) feeding the or each additional cable and/or duct, via the opened access opening, from the access chamber through the sealing tray and into the traffic-signal controller-cabinet.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and shown with an interchangeable gland tray lifted away from an open upper end of a base housing; Figure 2 shows a side-elevational view of the adaptor of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor of Figure 1 in combination with a modular access chamber, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows a front-side view of the traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor of Figure 1 in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet supported by the adaptor, in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, and also showing the adaptor mounted to the modular access chamber in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention; and Figures 5 to 16 show a method of installing the traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor of Figure 1 to a modular access chamber, feeding cabling, and finally installing the traffic-signal controller-cabinet, in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor 10 which comprises a base housing 12 and a gland tray 14 mountable on the base housing 12. The base housing 12 includes four interconnected side walls 16 which can define a substantially continuous perimeter, an open upper end 18 and an open lower end 20. Between the upper and lower ends 18, 20, the side walls 16 provide a substantially enclosable hollow interior 22.

Although four sides are suggested in this embodiment, less than four sides could be provided, for example, the adaptor may be circular or ovoidal.

CO A closable access opening 24 is provided in one, typically being the front facing, side wall 26, and in this case the access opening 24 is closed by a frdly removable access cover 28. The access cover 28 is preferably connected to the side wall 26 by screw-threaded fasteners, such as bolts or screws, and these devices may have anti-tamper tool-engagable heads. Removal of these fasteners enables the access cover 28 to be lifted clear. Optionally, the access cover may be hinged to the side wall.

Preferably, at least one of the side walls 16 includes a vent 30 to allow ventilation for the interior 22. Beneficially, the vent 30 includes a downwardly facing cowl portion 32 to prevent or limit the ingress of dirt, debris and other particulate matter, as well as precipitation. Furthermore, the or each vent 30 preferably includes an internal mesh grill to also prevent or limit the ingress of matter.

In this embodiment, four vents 30 are provided in each end side wall 34, and two further vents 30 are provided in spaced relationship in the access cover 28. However, other numbers are possible.

For seating and stability on an upper edge 36 of an access chamber 38, an outwardly extending perimeter flange 40 is provided adjacent to but spaced from the open lower end 20 of the base housing 12. The perimeter flange 40 extends around the side walls 16, and in this case is continuous with a uniform or substantially uniform lateral extent. The perimeter flange 40 thereby defines a skirt portion 42 on the base housing 12 which forms a locator for receipt through an opening 44 of the access chamber 38.

The perimeter flange 40 may be dispensed with. However, other seating means for seating the base housing 12 on the access chamber 38 would be preferable. For example, rods or pins could be utilised, a shoulder could be formed in the side walls 16, or the flange 40 may be discontinuous thereby providing outwardly projecting cantilevered tabs or arms.

The open upper end 18 of the base housing 12 includes a planar inturned shoulder 46 which extends continuously around the perimeter edge to provide a support for the gland tray 14 and, indirectly, for a controller-cabinet 48. The intumed shoulder 46 includes a plurality of fastener apertures 50 spaced apart therearound to enable securement of the controller-cabinet 48. Again, although preferably continuous, the inturned shoulder 46 may be discontinuous, and in this case it would preferably include dedicated buttress elements for reinforcing the shoulder to carry the weight of the controller-cabinet 48.

Although the gland tray 14 may be planar, in this case the gland tray 14 includes a recessed portion 52 which preferably substantially matches the opening 54 defined by the inturned shoulder 46 at the open upper end 18 of the base housing 12. A planar perimeter lip 56 extends outwardly from an upper edge 58 of the recessed portion 52.

The perimeter lip 56, similar to the inturned shoulder 46, is preferably continuous and is adapted to sit on the inturned shoulder 46. A further set of fastener apertures 60 are included through the perimeter lip 56, and these align with the fastener apertures 50 through the inturned shoulder 46.

A plurality of cabling apertures 62 is included in the bottom surface 64 of the recessed portion 52 of the gland tray 14. A, preferably stepped, gland 66 is captively held in each cabling aperture 62. Preferably, the glands 66 are initially closed so that a selected gland 66 can be opened for a respective cable. The glands 66 prevent or limit moisture migration through the in use gland tray 14.

To prevent or limit a protruding cable or duct 68 slipping back through its gland 66, the gland tray 14 is provided with a stay 70 which spans the opening 72 to the recessed portion 52. One or more stays 70 may be provided as necessity dictates and in lateral or longitudinal orientations across the gland tray 14. In this embodiment, the stay 70 is an apertured channel enabling respective cabling or ducting to be tied off as required.

The gland tray 14 is adapted to sit on the inturned shoulder 46 of the base housing 12, and its lip 56 to have at least substantially the same lateral extent. The glands 66 in the cabling apertures 62 project therefrom preferably so as to remain recessed below a plane of the opening 72 to the recessed portion 52. However, the glands 66 may project upwardly so as to be flush or substantially flush. Preferably, the glands 66 do not project so as to be proud of the opening 72 to the recessed portion 52, since this impacts water-resistant sealing which may optionally be used during installation.

A plurality of gland trays 14 may be provided for interchangeable selection. In this case, the cabling apertures 62 may be arranged in laterally extending rows on a first gland tray 14, and longitudinally extending rows on a second gland tray 14. To this end, the or each stay 70 may be positioned laterally or longitudinally to mirror the orientation of the rows of the cabling apertures 62.

Furthermore, as shown by way of the phantom line in Figure 2, a partitioning element 74 may be included within the hollow interior 22 of the base housing 12. Preferably, the partitioning element 74 is a uniformly solid planar interior wall which extends from one side wall 16 to the opposite side wall 16. In this case, the partitioning element 74 extends from the rear side wall 76 to the front side wall 26, and thus divides the closable access opening 24. The hollow interior 22 is thus divided into two chambers, both of which are accessible via the single closable access opening 24.

The partitioned interior 22 is required for some installations, wherein it is a requirement to keep telecommunications cabling separate of other cabling.

The adaptor 10 is preferably formed from metal, such as galvanised mild steel, and may then be painted to add further protection. However, it may be possible to utilise plastics.

Referring to Figure 3, the access chamber 38 can be provided to a specific height to meet the requirements of a specific installation. Conveniently, the access chamber 38 is modular enabling the access chamber 38 to be built up to the required height or depth utilising interconnectable stackable chamber parts 78.

Once prepared, the perimeter flange 40 of the adaptor 10 is seatable on the upper edge 36 of the access chamber 38 whereby its skirt portion 42 locates through the upper opening 44 of the access chamber 38.

As shown in Figure 4, the traffic-signal controller-cabinet 48 is then mountable on the adaptor 10 whereby the gland tray 14 is sandwiched between a bottom face of the controller-cabinet 48 and the inturned shoulder 46 of the base housing 12. Fasteners are located through the bottom face of the controller-cabinet 48, and the fastener apertures 50, 60 of the gland tray 14 and the base housing 12, thereby enabling secure and positive fixation.

Preferably, a selection of fastener apertures 50, 60 are provided through the gland tray 14 and inturned shoulder 46 of the base housing 12 to accommodate different controller-cabinets 48, thereby allowing interchangability and at least some future proofing.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 16, a method of installing the adaptor 10 in combination with the access chamber 38 and traffic-signal controller-cabinet 48 is now described.

The adaptor 10 may be applied to an existing access chamber as a retro-fit if the installation location is acceptable. The skirt portion 42 of the base housing 12 is preferably a common size to allow fitment within the upper access opening 44 of the access chamber 38. Material surrounding the upper edge of the existing access chamber can be cleared to allow seating of the perimeter flange 40, and the adaptor 10 can be secured in place by concreting or re-sealing the upper edge of the existing access chamber with the adaptor 10 in place.

In the event that a new access chamber 38 is to be installed, then the access chamber 38 is provided to the required height or depth as described above, preferably using modular interengagable stackable chamber parts 78. Preferably, at least one of the stackable chamber parts 78 includes one or more knock-outs 80 to provide an aperture in a side wall 16 to receive a cabling duct 82. See Figures 5 to 7.

The base housing 12 is then seatable on the upper edge 36 of the access chamber 38.

Connection between the base housing 12 and the access chamber 38 is provided by screw-threaded fasteners extending through the skirt portion 42 and engaging in the walls 84 of the access chamber 38. To adjust the base housing 12 to or substantially to the horizontal and/or ground level, one end may be slightly raised and the screw-threaded fastener or fasteners re-engaged with the respective access chamber wall 84 to maintain the adjusted position. See Figures 8 and 9.

Glands 66 mounted on the gland tray 14 are selected and their tops cut to provide the required diameter to fit the respective cable and/or cable duct 68. With the access cover 28 of the base housing 12 removed, the cable and/or cable duct 68 can be drawn through the opening 44 to the access chamber 38, through the open lower end 20 of the base housing 12, and inserted through its respective gland 66, thereby providing a water- resistant or substantially water-resistant seal between the adaptor 10 and the controller-cabinet 48. See Figures 10 and 11.

With the cable and/or duct 68 passing through the gland 66, the cable / duct 68 can then be tied off at the adjacent stay 70 to maintain its position. See Figure 12.

With all of the necessary cables and/or cable ducts 68 extending from the access chamber 38, through the base housing 12 of the adaptor 10 and protruding through their respective glands 66 of the gland tray 14 (see Figure 13), the open bottomed controller-cabinet 48 can be connected to the adaptor 10 via the fastener apertures 50, 60 using suitable fasteners. See Figure 14.

An access door 86 in the front of the controller-cabinet 48 provides access to the interior 88 and the cables and/or ducts 68 extending from the gland tray 14 of the adaptor 10.

Connection to the various electronic components required for traffic-light signalling can then be undertaken.

To further seal the gland tray 14 against moisture ingress through the adaptor 10 and into the interior 88 of the controller-cabinet 48, a sealing material 90 such as a gel sealant can be poured into the recessed portion 52 of the gland tray 14. Preferably, the sealing material 90 is sufficiently deep to cover the gland 66 and thus the opening in the gland 66 through which the cable and/or duct 68 projects. See Figures 15 and 16.

Such sealing provides protection against the passage of water and moisture to British Standard 1P68. By use of a settable sealing gel, localised portions can be removed by cutting to access a new gland 66 should a further cable or duct 68 be required. The seal can then be repaired by the addition of a further portion of the sealant at the required location.

Should a further cable and/or duct 68 be required for the controller-cabinet 48, once the cable / duct 68 is fed into the access chamber 38, the access cover 28 of the base housing 12 is removed and the access door 86 of the controller-cabinet 48 is opened.

From within the controller-cabinet 48, a new gland 66 on the gland tray 14 is selected and opened. Through the access opening 24 of the base housing 12, the new cable / duct 68 is drawn from the access chamber 38 and inserted through the new gland 66. From within the controller-cabinet 48, the new cable / duct 68 now projecting from the gland tray 14 and into the interior 22 of the controller-cabinet 48 is tied off to the stay 70 and connected to the respective circuitry. Any removed sealing material 90 on the gland tray 14 due to the provision of the new cable / duct 68 is repaired. The access door 86 of the controller-cabinet 48 and the access cover 28 of the adaptor 10 are closed and fastened or locked to prevent or limit unauthorised access.

Although a gland tray is described above, the tray is a sealing tray and as such the glands may be dispensed with if a suitable alternative sealing means can be provided.

Glands are preferred due to their ease of use, but if the cable and/or ducts are sufficiently thick, the sealing material alone could possibly be used. Furthermore, to improve sealing between the base of the controller-cabinet and the perimeter lip of the gland tray, a waterproof gasket or other sealant may be provided on the perimeter lip and on which the cabinet-controller sits.

Although preferably removable to enable interchangability, the sealing tray may be fixed to the base housing.

The sealing tray may also be within the base housing, instead of closing the open upper end of the base housing.

The partitioning element may be retro-fittable to an existing base housing of an adaptor, for example, following installation. To this end, the partitioning element may be push-fit insertable, for example, into preformed interior channels in or on the respective side walls. Other connection means can also be considered, for example, welding, bonding or screw-threaded fastening.

It is thus possible to provide a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor which enables mounting of a traffic-signal controller-cabinet directly to an in-ground access chamber.

The base housing is substantially closed on all sides, thereby preventing or limiting the ingress of matter whilst dispensing with the need for filling, particularly with potentially carcinogenic substances. Installation of the adaptor to the conect height is simple via the modular access chamber, whilst enabling levelling prior to mounting of the controller-cabinet. The access chamber mountable adaptor also provides a reduced installation footprint, and simplified interior access via the closable access opening in the side wall. Installation in areas of high moisture or which are prone to flooding is now possible by utilising the sealable gland tray to water-tightly seal the bottom of the controller-cabinet, and adding new cables and/or ducts is straightforward once received in the access chamber. The adaptor is also retrofitable to existing traditional mounting stools, thereby allowing simplified upgrading of the controller-cabinet without requiring complete removal of materials in and around the stool. Furthermore, raising the controller-cabinet via the adaptor reduces the likelihood of people sitting or standing on the top thereof, whilst also improving the working area for an installer or maintenance contractor. The addition of a partitioning element within the base housing to subdivide the interior chamber enables separation of two utility supplies. Access to the two interior chambers via a single access opening in the base housing also simplifies manufacture and reduces costs.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor comprising a hollow base housing having an open upper end for supporting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet, and an open lower end adapted to mate with an access chamber opening, the base housing including a closable access opening in a side wall, and a sealing tray on or in the base housing for sealing a cable and/or duct passing therethrough.
2. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gland sealing tray is removable.
3. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sealing tray is seatable on the open upper end of the base housing so as to be interposable between the base housing and the traffic-signal controller-cabinet.
4. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing tray includes a plurality of apertures with a gland captively mounted in each aperture, upper ends of the glands being flush or substantially flush with or recessed relative to a perimeter lip of the sealing tray.
5. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing tray includes a plurality of apertures and a sealant material which covers a recessed upper surface of the sealing tray.
6. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing tray closes or substantially closes the open upper end of the base housing.
7. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing tray is releasable connectable to the open upper end of the base housing.
8. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base housing includes an outwardly extending perimeter flange adjacent to and spaced from the open lower end.
9. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base housing includes at least one vent in a side wall thereof.
10. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the open upper end of the base housing includes an inwardly turned shoulder for seating an outwardly extending lip of the sealing tray and/or directly seating the traffic-signal controller-cabinet.
11. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the closable access opening includes a removable access cover.
12. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base housing includes a partition which extends from or adjacent to the open upper end to or adjacent to the open lower end, so that an interior of the base housing is divided into two chambers.
13. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in claim 12, wherein the partition splits the closable access opening, so that the two interior chambers are both accessible via the access opening.
14. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. An access chamber in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the adaptor is seatable on an upper edge of the access chamber to close or substantially close an access opening to the access chamber.
16. A combination as claimed in claim 15, wherein the adaptor is projectable through the access opening of the access chamber.
17. A combination as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the adaptor includes an outwardly projecting perimeter flange adjacent to and spaced from the open lower end, the flange being seatable on the upper edge of the access chamber.
18. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the access chamber is modular to provide a selectively adjustable depth.
19. A combination as claimed in claim 18, wherein the access chamber includes a plurality stackable chamber elements.
20. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the access chamber includes at least one conduit opening in a side wall thereof.
21. An access chamber in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet supported by the adaptor, the traffic-signal controller-cabinet being connectable to the adaptor at its upper end so as to cover the sealing tray.
23. A combination as claimed in claim 22, wherein the traffic-signal controller-cabinet is seated on a lip of the sealing tray.
24. A combination as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the traffic-signal controller-cabinet includes an opening in its base, whereby the sealing tray is accessible from with the traffic-signal controller-cabinet.
25. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the traffic-signal controller-cabinet includes a closable access opening in its front surface.
26. A traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A combination of an access chamber and a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21, and further in combination with a traffic-signal controller-cabinet supported by the adaptor, the traffic-signal controller-cabinet being connectable to the adaptor at its upper end so as to cover the sealing tray.
28. A combination of a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor, access chamber and traffic-signal controller-cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
29. A method of adapting an access chamber to support a traffic-signal controller-cabinet, the method comprising the steps of: a) mounting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 to an upper edge of the access chamber; b) feeding cabling and/or ducting from the access chamber through the sealing tray of the adaptor; and c) mounting a traffic-signal controller-cabinet on the adaptor, wherein the cabling projects from the sealing tray into the controller-cabinet.
30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein a recessed upper surface of the sealing tray is covered or substantially covered with a water-resistant sealing material.
31. A method of fitting an additional cable and/or duct to a traffic-signal controller-cabinet mounted on a traffic-signal controller-cabinet adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: a) opening the closable access opening of the adaptor; and b) feeding the or each new cable and/or duct, via the opened access opening, from the access chamber through the sealing tray and into the traffic-signal controller-cabinet.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising a step c) prior to step a) of cutting a water-resistant sealing material away from a localised area of a recessed upper surface of the sealing tray to enable passage of the additional cable and/or duct therethrough, and a step d) following step b) of re-sealing around the additional cable and/or duct with the water-resistant sealing material.