{"id":1159,"date":"2017-05-23T09:05:21","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T08:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesgroup.com\/?p=1159"},"modified":"2017-05-23T11:08:35","modified_gmt":"2017-05-23T10:08:35","slug":"retrofit-refurbish-replace-switchgear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/s313789864.websitehome.co.uk\/?p=1159","title":{"rendered":"Retrofit, Refurbish or Replace Switchgear?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When To Retrofit, Refurbish or Replace Ageing Switchgear<\/h2>\n

Management and maintenance of ageing switchgear is a common issue throughout the UK and European Markets.\u00a0 Older buildings are being upgraded to the 21st<\/sup> Century, or relatively new buildings have additional power demand, meaning existing equipment needs to be optimised to meet the new site electrical requirements.<\/p>\n

Capital expenditure, potential power disruption to site and economic uncertainties may often mean that the user will be initially cautious about automatically replacing all equipment.\u00a0 Users will have an extensive evaluation of the safety, performance and possibility of extended live of existing equipment before making a final decision of \u201cRetrofit, Refurbish or Replace\u201d<\/p>\n

Retrofit:<\/h3>\n

This involves replacement of the old circuit breaker, within the existing switchgear system, with a new modern circuit breaker.\u00a0 Typically a retro fit is carried out on an existing switchgear panel which is of good condition and has a considerable time remaining until its end of life.<\/p>\n

An example of retro fitting could be upgrading a feeder MCCB circuit from 400A Thermal Magnetic MCCB to 630A with Electronic Trip.\u00a0 This would be done for additional load to the building and also provides better electrical co-ordination between control panels.\u00a0 Care and consideration to the BSEN 61439 standard needs to be taken when doing any retrofits to existing panels.<\/p>\n

Other reasons for a retrofit would be worn out and damaged circuit breakers or replacing obsolete protection and\/or control relays. \u00a0Replacing these will mean panels will have better performance and protection.<\/p>\n

Straightforward retrofits offers minimal disruption to site and using a \u201cstaged\u201d retrofit for multiple circuits allows the user to have greater control of shutdown times and site distributions.<\/p>\n

Refurbish:<\/h3>\n

This option means restoring existing equipment to its original condition and performance specification.\u00a0\u00a0 This option is \u201cage\u201d driven as there is often limited access to the original manufacturers\u2019 materials and documentation. However, a refurbish can, in instances, enhance the ratings and performance of equipment supplied.<\/p>\n

A refurbishment will involve a maintenance sweep of all parts (inspection, cleaning, and lubrication of parts, adjustments and circuit breaker tests) with damaged parts also refurbished or replaced.<\/p>\n

The major advantage of this option is the overall cost savings.\u00a0 This is because the refurbishment cost of a panel may be cheaper than the equivalent of replacement panel. \u00a0Additionally, this option also lends itself well to having minimal down time and able to have a \u201cstaged\u201d downtime to various loads while undergoing works.\u00a0 There may also be a saving with regards existing cables and connections, as they may not need to be replaced.<\/p>\n

Replace:<\/h3>\n

After an evaluation of existing equipment, the user may decide to completely replace equipment on site.\u00a0 This involves disconnection of existing cables to switchboard, removing panel from site and inserting a new switchboard in its place.\u00a0 Some factors the user will use to make a decision which ultimately ends up with a \u201creplace\u201d decision are:<\/p>\n