Electrical switchgear is a very essential part of the power system. Hence, the installation of electrical switchgear is not an easy process. It has to be done minutely to avoid any damage or issue.
Under normal circumstances, the main work of switchgear includes switching on and off the setup.
If there is any issue, such as a short circuit, a huge amount of current will flow through the system. It detects and detaches the defective part.
Switchgear is classified as indoor switchgear and outdoor switchgear. Hence, hunting for a good switchgear company that suffices the need is extremely vital.
Installation of Switchgear
The Procedure Involved in the Installation of Switchgear
- Preparation for the setup: This is the foremost method. Making proper plans and arranging materials required initially will make the working process smooth.
- Inspection of switchgear: After the switchgear is delivered, in spite of ensuring proper storage for it, it needs to be made sure that it is inspected properly before bringing it to use.
- The setting works: Here comes one of the main steps. Prepare the entire setup properly for installation.
- Installing switchgear: Now, the main work. Install the switchgear. The detailed steps about the same are given below. Switchgear components are to be given extra attention.
- Inspecting switchgear: Inspection is the key. While carrying out such major steps it is very important to carry out an inspection at every stage. But, the initial and final inspections are regarded as the most important ones. Here we are talking of final inspection.
Pieces of Equipment Involved
- Toolbox: This will contain all the required tools.
- Portable hand tools: This is needed for fixing and adjusting items.
- Portable drilling machine: This is to make holes and spaces to fix in bolts and screws to make the needed adjustment.
- Grinding machine: This is needed for grinding purposes.
- Digital multimeter: This is a tool used to measure voltage, current, and resistance.
- Measuring tapes: This is to measure the area so that the switchgear and other requisites are fixed at the correct position.
- Safety shoes: This is to save the working person from any injury as the area will be filled with such substances.
- Safety helmet: This is again for preventing the head while working.
- Safety glasses: This one because there will be a lot of drilling and grinding which can affect the eye.
- Fluorescent vest: This one is for the protection of the body.
- Safety gloves: This one is to protect the hand
- Mobile crane: This is for the movements of loads.
Personnel who are responsible for the installation of switchgear are Project Manager, Construction Manager, Quality Assurance Engineer/ Quality Control Engineer, Site Engineer.
Just the safety materials won’t serve the purpose, it is also crucial to follow certain procedures.
1. Hire a professional to do the testing job and operate the power tools.
2. Proper lighting in the working area during the night hours is very crucial.
3. PPE kit should be worn while working in circuits.
4. If there is any risk related to switchgear, it needs to be detected at the earliest.
5. Emergency response plans should always be ready.
Taking care of storage, to prevent any relevant damage also matters. So, ensuring that the materials should be covered/ stored in dry space at all times is a necessity.
Materials received at the site should undergo thorough inspection initially, before bringing them to use. The discrepancies, if any, should be notified at the earliest stage and this will help the entire process not only economically, but also it will be time-saving.
Also, people on the site ensure the material for any minute defect and if any such issue is found, it gets repaired or is sent to the rectification site.
Preparatory Steps Before Installation
- Verification of all the components is the very first step. All relays, fuses, meters, circuit breaker’s size, bus bar sizes, etc are verified.
- Installation should be in accordance with the shop formatting that is provided.
- The floor should be made ready for installation with base frames grouted on the open trenches.
- A certain amount of clearance at the rear side must be there, to provide space for maintenance work.
- Connection of the bus bar should be done rigidly.
- Specifications in terms of cable radius by the manufacturer need to be followed.
- Cable pulling, termination, and crimping needs to be done
- Proper earthing connection to switchgear must be provided.
- Recommendations of the electrical switchgear manufacturers in regards to materials should not be ignored.
- All the cable entries and other openings of the room or floor involved in the process must be sealed with proper sealant.
- The room needs to be provided with proper air conditioning and the unit of A/C needs to be installed outside rather than inside and no water should be allowed inside the room.
- The connecting cables between the switchboard and battery unit shall be 4 mm in length.
Switchgear Installation Procedure
- A proper base has to be provided along with spacing for fixing screws and bolts.
- The frames and the panels are to be brought to the locations using a lifting method and placed systematically as per the earlier prepared model.
- Trench construction and cover must be in accordance with the pre-given plan.
- All the equipment supports must be provided in the proper manner and have to be installed correctly. The vacuum circuit breaker and power distribution cabinet are very crucial components and they are to be installed and fixed perfectly.
- Next, bring in the switchgear and place it on the concrete base and assemble it completely.
- Ensure installation is certified to be fit.
- Install all cable support, cable ends, and termination fittings.
- Tightening the connectors using ground conditions must not be forgotten.
- Wiring has to be done on master terminal boards with numbering strips and appropriate cartridges-type fuses.
- Manufacturer’s notes in regards to relays, a timer has to be followed correctly.
- Frame the controls and keys for the main distribution system.
- The finished wood metal should be covered with acrylic plastic.
All the switchgear that come under medium voltage switchgear such as sf6 gas insulated switchgear, metal enclosed switchgear, metal clad switchgear, pad mounted switchgear, and vault or subsurface switchgear are installed in this manner.
But certain differences can be seen in the installation procedure for low voltage switchgear and high voltage switchgear.
Conclusion
Switchgear is the backbone of the entire electric power system and there is no denying that. No matter if the switchgear installed is low voltage, high voltage, or medium voltage but it comes with certain specifications, and owing to that the installation has to be done properly.
It is just that while the process undergoes or even before that, a proper check on the materials, the area, and the setup has to be done without any negligence to avoid any discrepancy whatsoever.
If you are looking out for a reliable manufacturer, you can contact Elecspare. They can also provide custom switchgear to meet certain specifications.
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