Feature Panel Building Building on success
With growing legislation and a need for fully integrated and sustainable solutions, today’s panel builders must embrace new technologies such as intelligent power distribution, remote control and data communication. However, with so many options, dedication in the form of training is required. We talk to Schneider Electric’s Paul Humphrey about using training to gain an advantage in panel building
T
he panel building industry is one which continues to evolve. January 2009 saw the introduction of the IEC 61439 legislation for low volt-
age switchgear and control gear assem- blies - constituting a number of major changes. Perhaps one of the most sur- prising of these was the removal of the terms ‘type tested assembly’ which has been replaced by ‘design verification’ with seven type tests increasing to 12 design verification characteristics. For the panel builder, this means a much more rigorous validation process. Conversely, the standard requires a more logical approach to the design of an assembly, placing added responsibil- ity on the original manufacturer, panel builder and specifier. This includes an increased pressure to choose the most efficient products which effectively work as part of the energy system and optimise the use of natural resources. As a result, the modern panel builder
must go beyond standard practice. It is imperative to integrate monitoring and control capabilities, and focus on reduc- ing the size of the panels through the util- isation
of compact
environmental considerations and subse- quently ongoing maintenance and safety.
Starting point However, with so much to consider where do you begin? As is often the case, before rushing into the specification process it is vital for panel builders to first widen their knowledge remit in terms of new technologies and practices. Fortunately help is at hand as many leading manufacturers have dedicated significant resources to developing spe- cialist training for the sector. Schneider Electric, for example, has recently launched a series of regional training days specifically for panel builders wanting to know more about the latest generation of products and technology advances. These hands-on sessions pro- vide in-depth knowledge on how an electrical network in a location can be made more efficient with improved power quality, reliability and intelli- gence, and so stand out from the stan- dard approach to building panels. As covered in the training, the first recommended step is to look at mea-
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surement and monitoring of an installa- tion which can be greatly improved by incorporated remote two way commu- nication and data gathering. This also makes measuring energy usage possible, which in turn, helps to identify where savings can be made.
solutions,
As a consequence, panel builders who invest in training to better under- standing measuring technologies are better placed to advise and build a mon- itoring and measurement system which provides optimum use of its clients’ energy consumption and can be easily installed into panels. For example, Schneider Electric’s range of air circuit breakers and moulded case circuit breakers already includes measurement capabilities with the ability to be remotely interrogated.
The next step
The next training step covers the design of a communications system utilising the correct protocol. This requires the panel builder to fully understand and possibly programme software which operates as a gateway server - so enabling the end user to view data from measurement and monitoring devices online via a web browser. Data is dis- played in real time and trends can be plotted whilst storing historical infor- mation from multiple locations. By investing in specific training panel builders can expand their offer to a cus- tomer as well as gaining the knowledge to incorporate these communications
Above: panel builders have a huge role to play in ensuring optimum sustainable practice for the nation’s energy use
systems easily and simply into the switchboard build. With the continuing pressure on pro- ject costings, any measure which a panel builder can introduce to help keep costs down will bring great benefit to all parties involved in a project. Plug and play solutions present such a possi- bility. Devices such as moulded case cir- cuit breakers now have built-in current transformers which provide a time effi- cient and cost effective solution. With ever increasing rent for commer- cial space, companies are very keen to reduce the amount of space panel boards and switchboards occupy. After all, a switchroom does not make money for a company and uses up valuable space. So panel builders who offer flexi- ble and compact solutions are more likely to be providing solutions which appeal to their customers. With a modular assembly, there is the potential to be able to easily extend the panel in the future, should the building expand or if additional building ser- vices and systems are installed. Whilst there always needs to be some spare capacity factored into the panel from the beginning, it is always advisable not to over design spare capacity and so risk the installed panel becoming inefficient or over budget. Training on how to utilise a flexible modular assembly to reduce initial capital costs, whilst allowing any future additional capacity to be easily accommodated, is a much better option than a rigid welded panel with over capacity having to be incorpo- rated at the initial build stage. As manufacturers continue to invest heavily in the research and development performance of its devices - and with increasing legislative pressures - panel builders have a huge role to play in ensuring optimum sustainable practice for the nation’s energy use. For the shrewd panel builder, it is critical to invest time undertaking ongoing training to ensure a position at the forefront of emerging technologies and practices in order to build a successful and sustain- able future for itself and its customers.
Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.co.uk T: 0870 608 8 608
Enter 212 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014 Electrical Engineering
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