BSEE SPECIAL REPORT
As the power requirements of commercial and industrial buildings grow in both volume and complexity, low‐voltage electrical infrastructure is coming under increasing scrutiny from a multitude of angles. Chris Pack, Field Product Manager at Eaton, reports.
ensure the highest levels of efficiency, safety and resilience, while everyday operations in a building are continually reshaped or expanded, means low-voltage distribution systems can never be a fit-and-forget amenity.
F
All of these factors combine to create challenges for building services consultants and electrical installation contractors. However, the most astute professionals will correctly view this as an opportunity to deliver more effective products and services to give their clients greater peace of mind and better value.
‘ Energy
efficiency is an inescapable imperative for commercial and industrial
buildings of all sizes and while consideration must be given to technologies such as LED lighting and energy storage systems, low‐voltage switchgear is integral too in helping to control costs and enhance sustainability.
’
In a revival of the old adage that you can’t manage what you don’t measure, it’s vital to first gain some degree of insight into the performance of the switchgear and associated equipment. Along with the development of cubicle switchboard enclosure designs, the most forward-thinking electrical switchgear manufacturers are ensuring that modern circuit protection devices incorporate functionality for remote web-based access to circuit status and diagnostic information. This enables a wide range of professionals – including maintenance and engineering contractors, building services consultants, facilities managers and building owners – to monitor equipment status parameters and for this information to be linked to building management systems.
The appetite for such connectivity will only increase in buildings of all types. In response, it is sensible to work with equipment manufacturers to ensure that appropriate technology is incorporated into distribution systems, whether as a retro-fit or at the earliest stages of the design process for a new installation. Improved maintenance is a huge priority for those who want to maximise uptime by avoiding unplanned outages. The consequences of downtime are not hard to imagine, not only endangering the delivery of products and services but consequently risking the reputation of the organisation too.
Electrical faults
Additionally, there are circumstances where electrical faults, as well as causing downtime, can pose serious risks to people and equipment. Arc flash, for example, can destroy the complete switchgear assembly and associated equipment, as well as potentially leading to serious injury or even the death of anyone working in close proximity, such as an engineer inadvisedly carrying out maintenance checks on the assembly when it is live.
Over time, energy intensive companies may expand operations, adding new installations on to existing systems, which increases the risk of an arc fault occurring. Arc faults can also be triggered during maintenance or expansion projects when, by accident, conductive parts drop on the busbars while working on the panel. This is a life threatening scenario for any personnel in the vicinity of the incident. However, it is also possible for a devastating arc fault
rom hospitals to hotels, distribution switchgear assemblies perform a vital role in providing power to the users who need it most. However, the pressure to
Advertising: 01622 699116 Editorial: 01354 461430
LOW‐VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR ASSEMBLIES Fit for purpose and fit for the future
uEaton’s Arcon arc fault protection system.
to be triggered by something as simple as a small animal crawling into the panel, and there are documented cases to prove it.
New research commissioned by Eaton estimates that, for a typical food industry plant, the cost of production downtime alone could escalate to €40,000 in 24 hours. Then there is the cost of replacement switchgear, potential legal action and reputational damage on top of that. In short, people, property and business continuity are all put at serious risk both in the immediate timeframe and the longer term.
Minimum safety requirements
The International Electrotechnical Committee’s IEC 61439 standard sets out the minimum safety requirements for such equipment and the professionals responsible for it must ensure it is planned, built and tested to that standard. However, compliance to that standard does not necessarily maximise protection against arc faults and, considering the potentially catastrophic consequences that can arise, commercial and industrial buildings with critical power needs are strongly advised by Eaton to go a step further in the level of protection that they implement.
To maximise safety, two of the most effective strategies are firstly to monitor for unusual temperature rises that could indicate an imminent fault and, secondly, to ensure that, in the event of an arc fault, the event is identified in real-time in order to rapidly shut down the switchgear and minimise damage to the panel itself and also any connected equipment. The speed of the reaction is crucial. A period of 20 to 50 milliseconds is the industry standard but a response within two milliseconds is now possible.
Meanwhile, energy efficiency is an inescapable imperative for commercial and industrial buildings of all sizes and while consideration must be given to technologies such as LED lighting and energy storage systems, low-voltage switchgear is integral too in helping to control costs and enhance sustainability.
Collecting diagnostic information from switchgear makes it possible to identify opportunities to reduce energy usage. Eaton’s newly extended
36 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2017
Memshield 3 MCB distribution system has been augmented with the introduction of a fully compatible energy monitoring system (EMS), which includes a data logger which can accept up to 32 modbus inputs. The new EMS enables collection of data from any metered equipment, including panels, distribution boards and switchgear. This makes it possible to not only identify opportunities to reduce energy usage, but also to collate and distribute energy consumption information, which could be highly valuable if charging back to another party, for example. By integrating data logging technologies within electrical infrastructure, energy monitoring becomes much simpler. While the pivotal role of low-voltage switchgear is strengthened by all of the factors noted above, it is perhaps counter-intuitive that such equipment is expected to fit into ever decreasing spaces.
In buildings of many kinds, there is commercial pressure to maximise productive floor space to drive maximum revenue from core activities. Switchgear is seen as a necessary burden but organisations architects and designers are seeking ways to minimise the space it occupies. This pressure is particularly acute in London and other major cities around the UK.
Efficient design means minimal floor space being taken up by switchgear. Smarter manufacturers are responding with more ergonomic and flexible products.
Future-proofing is another key consideration. In an era when change often seems to be the only constant it’s wise to make installations more adaptable to the challenges that might arise in the years ahead as occupancy, working hours and activities evolve. The process of expanding and programming switchgear should be simple and that functionality must be built in from the beginning. In addition to the modular panels mentioned above, overhead and rising main busbar trunking facilitate a level of flexibility that can accommodate future changes of use in a building. When designed with both resiliency and adaptability as core strengths, low- voltage switchgear and associated equipment can be an invaluable aid to business continuity, competitiveness, efficiency and safety, not just today but for many years to come.
uThe new 'Series NRX' circuit breakers are available in two compact sizes to facilitate smaller switch panels.
‘
When designed with both resiliency and adaptability as core strengths, low‐voltage switchgear and associated equipment can be an invaluable aid to business continuity, competitiveness, efficiency and safety, not just today but for many years to come.
’
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.bsee.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224