Overview
The Blakley team have recently been involved in a demanding contract for Mains Distribution Assemblies (MDA), which are to be installed on a major civil engineering project. Although site equipment is usually considered to be temporary, the project is expected to last for more than 20 years and the MDAs have a design life of 25 years. In addition, the site is on the west coast of the UK and the assemblies will have to endure a corrosive salt laden atmosphere, as well as the full force of westerly winds blowing in from the Atlantic.
Stainless Steel Enclosures
To meet the onerous site conditions and extended design life, the decision was made to fabricate enclosures from 316L (marine grade) stainless steel. In line with our normal site MDAs, it was also decided to paint the enclosures in our normal shade of Poppy Red. Although not required for corrosion protection, it allows for easy identification of MDAs on site. In view of the hostile conditions, the enclosures are rated to IP55 with bottom cable entry and exit.
Form 4 Construction
To enhance safety on this high profile project, the client specified Form 4 Type 3 segregation, with the bus bars and each functional unit housed in separate compartments. This form of construction enables an outgoing cable to be connected or disconnected without isolating the panel or compromising safety. The enclosure is double fronted with 4 no. compartments to the front housing fuse switches rated at 400A (the incomer), 2 no. 250A and 1 no. 100A. There are 5 no. compartments to the rear, each fitted with a fuse switch rated at 100A. Each compartment door is padlockable and incorporates a door stay to enhance operator safety in windy conditions.
The incorporation of fuse combination switches was also a customer requirement. Fuses to BS88 provide better discrimination with upstream and downstream devices. In addition, the ability to remove fuse links and padlock shut the compartment is a simple but effective method of isolating an outgoing feeder circuit.
Type Testing
Due to the high number of units being purchased and the long term nature of the installation, independent verification of key elements of the design was required. A number of elements, such as the bus bar system, lifting arrangement and the IP rating, were derived from existing Blakley designs. However, as our site distribution assemblies usually incorporate outgoing MCCBs, the incorporation of fuse combination switches required a full temperature rise test to be carried out, to establish the continuous rating of the overall panel and each switch fuse circuit (when housed in a non-vented, segregated compartment). Details of this test can be found on the pdf.
The MDAs incorporated a number of other features including a main kWHr meter, a thermostatically controlled anti-condensation heater in each compartment and an RCD protected test socket.
Please contact the Blakley Projects team if you would like to discuss a possible requirement for Form 4 Mains Distribution Assemblies.
Project No:
SP058
Industry
Construction, Nuclear
Category
Temporary Distribution
Year
2018
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