Close co-operation between Energie Industrielle, Schneider Electric and subcontractors has ensured that the upgrade of critical electrical distribution equipment was completed within 48 hours to keep the West Middlesex Hospital refurbishment programme to
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| Two views of the West Middlesex Hospital. |
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This refurbishment included changing the medical block's switchgear over a weekend. Notes Philipe Tomassetti of electrical contractor Energie Industrielle, part of Groupe INEO: "The refurbishment of the medical block was very demanding since the power was critical in allowing the rest of the hospital to remain in operation. This meant we were only allowed one weekend for the work".
The task involved stripping out three redundant switchboards and replacing them with Square D Multi-Form switchboards, various distribution boards and other equipment including Telemecanique Canalis rising main busbar. Power factor correction equipment was provided as stand alone sections.
The company is involved in the complete electrical and mechanical chain and provides the optimum in integrated electrical solutions through its three global brands - Merlin Gerin, Square D, and Telemecanique.
Energie Industrielle disconnected the switchboards on the Friday evening and, late that night, Schneider Electric with its sub-contractors, Servitech Installation and Services, started to install the new panel. Installation of the panel was completed early on Saturday morning giving Energie Industrielle's electrical team sufficient time to reconnect all the cables.
Remarks Tomassetti: "We easily met our target of having everything completed by Sunday evening so that the supply would be operational by early Monday morning. As the building's requirements were met by the first panel's supply, Schneider Electric was able to install the second panel some two weeks later. Our task was simplified because the Square D switchboards have good cable access and provide plenty of room for terminating the cable ends."
A customised arrangement:
The switchboards were customised with a mains/generator/bus coupler changeover scheme that allows the system to supply only essential areas if there is a problem and the emergency generator is needed for power supply. West Middlesex Hospital is designed using parallel circuits of essential and non-essential supplies. Both systems are normally live but, in the event of an emergency, the emergency generator supplies only essential circuits.
Schneider Electric supplied 400 and 630A Telemecanique Canalis KSR rising main busbars for vertical power distribution through the medical block's four floors. Each of the floors was fitted with a tap-off unit for horizontal power distribution. The busbar is split to feed both essential and non-essential supplies.
Notes Tomassetti: "We have been partners with Schneider Electric on many projects and are very pleased with their equipment and support."
Supplied on a tight time scale:
The refurbishment of the medical block followed other work by Schneider Electric and Energie Industrielle on one of the hospital's new buildings that was completed last year. For that part of the project Schneider Electric supplied, installed and commissioned electrical distribution equipment within a tight time scale and budget. The contract was won against stiff competition.
The scope of supply included two cast resin transformers close-coupled with two Merlin Gerin medium voltage Ringmaster units on the supply side. Two Square D Power-Style 3 low voltage switchboards were installed, tested and commissioned along with two Merlin Gerin low voltage power factor cabinets, Square D I-Line fuse switch panelboards and Merlin Gerin GenieEvo distribution boards.
West Middlesex Hospital is undergoing a complete transformation from an aged, spread-out site to a modern compact hospital with critical care at its core. As part of the redevelopment, a new £50 million main building opened in May 2003. This houses the accident and emergency department, critical care, operating theatres, clinical imaging, outpatients and patient suites. Refurbishment work on remaining buildings is planned for completion next August.
Contact: Steve Smith
Schneider Electric
Tel: 01952 209109
Email: steve_smith@schneider.co.uk
Web: www.schneider.co.uk
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