Mains Switchgear Replacement

About the project

IN2 were appointed as M&E consultant and on-site Project Manager by a confidential client in the public sector to provide a detailed design for the replacement of the mains electrical switchgear at seven sites of the client's estate. The mains switch gear assets were deemed critical to the function of the sites as they feed electricity to downstream sub switchgear and distribution boards throughout the site. Loss of these assets would have a detrimental effect on the operational capability of the site and could cause prolonged power outages.

After a thorough assessment conducted by IN2, it was deemed that the main switchgears across all sites were reaching end-of-life. The assets were assessed by their age and condition, and it was recommended these assets be replaced to ensure future operational capability of the sites and compliance with current statutory legislation. This is vital to ensure safety to on-site staff, visitors, and contractors. Various incidents had previously arisen whereby repairs to mains switchgears (through failure or planned maintenance procedures) had been made ever more difficult due to equipment obsolescence. This has the potential to disrupt future operational capability through unnecessary extended power outages. Replacement and redesign of these assets will reduce the future possibility of extended power outage time and ensure statutory legislation is complied with. The upgraded designs across the sites incorporated Form 4A Type 2 switchboards rated up to 800A.

In order to keep the live site operable whilst making such fundamental changes to the electrical foundation of the sites, IN2 decided on a strategy that utilised portable temporary generators and on-site standby generators. This required detailed coordination and management of different assets and project stages. To keep the project on schedule, IN2 will hold regular progress meetings and coordinate various teams and stakeholder until handover.