Feature Panel Building


Building operators of modern commercial workplaces require intelligent, fault-free and reliable power distribution. Therefore, final distribution panels must be effective and efficient. Here, Tom France of Schneider Electric looks at the latest distribution panel technology and how it can benefit commercial applications


oday’s tough economic environ- ment has been well documented and many commercial operations are looking for ‘marginal gains’ over their rivals to remain competi- tive. One of the ways in which this can be achieved is to make sure every aspect of operations is effective. This ensures that the risk of disruption to product or service delivery is min- imised. To do this you must first take a closer look at business continuity. Protecting an operation’s power supply is now a key part of business continuity planning as a result of digi- tal technology and more online-based functionalities becoming more of an integral part of building infrastructure. Intelligent power distribution has an increasingly important part to play in building operations and as depen- dence on digital increases, so too does the need for adequate back-up. It is firmly the responsibility of the building operator to invest in intelli- gent preventative measures to reduce the risk of issues that could occur as a result of a failure in the power distribu- tion system. Any problems need to be isolated and dealt with swiftly and safely to get the building back online with minimal disruption to users. So what is available for electrical engi- neers specifying distribution panels, which could ensure effectiveness and continuity in commercial applications?


VisiSafe feature which provides rein- forced insulation for the iC60 circuit breaker and iID current breakers ranges. This guarantees that down- stream circuits are always safe, regardless of overvoltage conditions, wear or operator experience. The VisiSafe green stripe is a clear indica- tion that a circuit can be safely ser- viced, and when combined with the Class 2 front face - where clearances between surfaces and internal parts are more than twice the industry standard - the result is a high level of safety for electrical engineers that are required to carry out maintenance or repair on the system.


Intelligence is the smart choice T


The smart choice


Schneider Electric offer its new Acti 9 - a complete, all in one final power distribution system that offers total control of load monitoring and man- agement, safety and simple installa- tion and maintenance. The low voltage modular system has a VisiTrip component to offer fast detection of faulty outgoers for shorter repair times and efficiency in day to day operations. The VisiTrip enables electrical engineers to iden- tify a fault in one glance, so that they can quickly diagnose, resolve and reclose circuits for easier building management and reduced down- time. If an auxiliary device is con- nected to the VisiTrip, faults can also be assessed remotely. To further assist in business conti- nuity and minimise down-time, a key element of this new technology is the


Electrical Engineering MAY 2013


In the future, the infrastructure of a building, and the systems that control them, will become even more depen- dent on digital functionality, so the latest power distribution systems need to be flexible to the changing needs of the commercial user. When specifying final panel systems, an electrical engi- neer should be confident that changes or additions to the property’s use can be effectively integrated without causing unnecessary disruption or expense. As it utilises a modular format, the Acti 9 is able to evolve with the demanding requirements of industrial and tertiary electrical installations. To further improve continuity, the ‘all in one concept’ means that the Acti 9 system can communicate with add- ons or extra components, enabling easy scaling to meet new building requirements or even revised installa- tion standards.


Staying on target To achieve government carbon reduc- tion targets and for commercial organisations to reduce their costs and impact on the environment, energy efficiency in the workplace is


Above: electrical engineers specifying distribution panels need to ensure effectiveness and continuity in commercial applications


Below: Schneider Electric’s new


Acti 9 is a complete, all in one final power distribution system that offers total control of load monitoring and management, safety and simple installation and maintenance


paramount. As the central hub of a building’s power supply, the latest intelligent panel system technology can allow users to effectively monitor and manage the power they consume. This highly intelligent system addresses efficiency issues as it can operate seamlessly with building man- agement systems (BMS). Unlike tradi- tional options, it connects to any facility management system, even in the most complex and challenging of environments. With real time data coming from panels and circuits, users can fine tune their electrical loads to reduce costs, allocate costs and effec- tively manage their energy. Working in this way, building operators can expect to reduce their energy usage by as much as 30%, while maintaining optimum performance.


While the Acti 9 is able to streamline user resources, the components them- selves are also environmentally friendly as it is manufactured with completely clean, 100% recyclable components. The use of advanced distribution panel technology has many benefits for commercial users, from helping to improve workplace efficiencies and ensuring the business is supplied with a safe and consistent supply of power, to recovering quickly should a prob- lem arise. Power distribution system technology is advancing all the time, and electrical engineers should be aware of the latest intelligent features and functions that can make signifi- cant improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of a system.


Schneider Electric www.schneider-electric.com T: 0870 608 8 608


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