Al's 2016 Inspection Thread

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by dradel

I understand where you are coming from, but it is an example. My point is if the rule doesn't explicitly say it is open for interpretation, or opinions which leads to issues.

Similarly there is no official rule on where the main breaker has to be, and for the rule book to say "strongly recommend" doesn't mean has to be.

It becomes frustrating when others don't "feel" that the breaker or dump valve aren't in the correct place. If the rules aren't going to be explicit about such things then how can teams "fail" inspection? It's kind of like trying to say something isn't art.

The rule on the main breaker isn't "strongly recommend".

R39 The 120A circuit breaker must be quickly accessible from the exterior of the ROBOT. This is the only 120A circuit breaker allowed on the ROBOT.

It's "must be". I will grant you that "quickly accessible" is a judgement call on the part of the inspector... But I can't think of a way to word such a rule as to remove judgement from the equation. All robots are designed differently, and a location that works on one won't work on another. The bottom line with this rule is how you want the event staff to handle your robot should it start smoking - pull out the fire extinguisher and give your electronics a dousing, or kill power quickly and safely? One way you'll likely be back on the field for your next match. The other is a huge mess.

Honestly, I've never had a problem getting a team to move their main breaker or vent plug valve to someplace more accessible. They all seem to understand the safety reasons (at least, the mentors do) for it and comply quickly and willingly.


Now, I have to ask... why is it such a big deal to have the vent plug valve on the low side? What do you get from that that other teams don't get by having theirs on the high side? Why not just hook up the pneumatics similar to figure 4-15 like everyone else to begin with? You seem to be very adamant about this, yet your robot has already been changed to have it on the high side...