Story

The ability to supply a vital switchboard in record time helped secure Eaton the order for a new PLC-controlled main switchboard for North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Cheshire & Merseyside Area) as part of a major refurbishment of its electrical power supply. In a second order, Eaton supplied an emergency generator and new uninterruptible power supplies from its Powerware business.

The specification called for switchboard delivery within ten weeks of the official order. This put tight time constraints on Eaton, who were able to supply the switchboard on time and subsequently provided the diesel-generator and Powerware UPS units in the second phase of the project.

The electrical contractor, Hayes Electrical & Building Services of Paul Street Liverpool, had to install the new switchboard as a freestanding unit in such a way that the existing switchgear (a loose-mounted busbar and MEM Exel and Glasgow fuse-switches) could be removed in stages as the new switchboard became operational. A new 236kVA feeder will be provided by Core Utilities to replace the old 110kVA supply.

The new switchboard comprises essential and non-essential services sections. In the event of a power supply failure, a bus coupler opens automatically to isolate the non-essential loads. The majority of essential services are equipped with uninterruptible power supplies to ensure continuous power while the emergency generator starts up. The 150kVA diesel generator starts up automatically and loads are progressively connected, to avoid stalling.

Eaton supplied a 1,000A fully type-tested Form 4 Type 6 switchboard with a 50kA, 1 sec fault rating. Incoming and outgoing cables have top entry. The main incomer and bus coupler are both 400A MCCBs. The generator supply is provided through a 250A automatic changeover switch. A phase failure relay ensures that the generator will start up in the event of loss of supply in any phase (with the old system the generator would only start up if power was lost in all three phases).

The supply included all circuit-breakers, which are from Eaton’s new Series G range. These are generally 125A electronic MCCBs with adjustable thermal and fixed magnetic operation. Essential-side MCCBs open automatically in the event of loss of power but incorporate electronic time delays so that they re-close at 30s intervals to avoid stalling the generator. Full metering, with direct-reading instruments, is provided on all essential and non-essential circuits. Transient voltage surge suppression is also provided on essential and non-essential panels.

Hayes Electrical and Building Services is a major electrical and building contractor for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Terry Hayes, Managing Director of Hayes, says “With the technical, professional support and assistance which we have received from Eaton we have been able to install a sophisticated switchboard panel into a restricted working space. This enabled us to deliver a 21st century distribution system into a Victorian Building which houses the sophisticated Control Room Integrated Systems which the North West Ambulance Services requires and relies on to carry out their essential duties.

The equipment was supplied through the Liverpool branch of Newey & Eyre.

View Eaton Electrical's profile:

Story

Laidlaw Solutions’ new Ferramenta range of lever handles and related door hardware has been designed to add an extra touch of style to residential interiors. It encapsulates the essence of simply defined, smooth lines in a variety of subtle stainless steel finishes. The exquisitely crafted range of lever designs are available in timeless, Satin or Mirror-polished Stainless Steel as well as the increasingly popular Dual Satin and Polished finish. Concealed bolt-through fixings at 38mm centres are compatible with most locks and latches to suit doors of 38 – 44mm thickness, while sprung roses are suitable for lightly sprung locks and tubular latches. A number of matching escutcheons are available for Euro profile, oval cylinders and lever key functions. The range comes with a 5-year guarantee.

View Laidlaw's profile:

Story

Work on the futuristic tower known as The Blade is well under way and rising to an impressive 128m, the complex is now Reading’s tallest office block and most significant office development for a decade. Billed as Reading’s most imaginatively conceived building, it will completely dominate the centre of the town on its completion next spring.

Located to the rear of Forbury Square, The Blade will comprise cutting edge office accommodation over 14 floors within a few minutes walk of Reading station. The landmark development by PMB Holdings and Aviva Investors will provide close on 110,000 ft², available in floors of 5,630 ft² upwards and will be accompanied by 32 apartments in a separate block.

Air conditioning for the tower will be provided by over 300 off 4 pipe Trojan horizontal, chassis type fan coil units, manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset and installed in false ceiling voids on each of the floors. Installation was carried out by contractor, Bailey Ltd, Reading. Capacities of the fan coils are between 0.52 and 4.82kW (cooling) and 1.24 and 3.0kW (heating) and all units conform to NR38 operational noise ratings.

All units incorporate high level condensate alarms, supplied and fitted by Ability. Free issue actuators were wired by Ability and identified by colour coded labels – third party supplied free issue valves were fitted by others on site. The fan coil units are not fitted with condensate tray drain connections since the chilled water design conditions are such that condensate is not envisaged. Some units are also provided with factory fitted electric heaters and electric heating solid state relays for installation in areas in which LPHW pipe work cannot be connected. All units also feature fan failure air flow switches and 250mm dia. spigots.

View Ability Projects's profile:

Story

Laidlaw Solutions has recently been awarded the international environmental management standard ISO14001 as a result of its commitment to minimise its impact upon the environment. Laidlaw specialises in architectural ironmongery, doorset and handrailing systems and operates through 12 locations nationwide. It is one of the first companies within its sector to achieve this accreditation.

The company’s Environmental Manager, Adam Dorman commented “Laidlaw has set itself stringent standards to ensure that it continually reduces the environmental impact of its activities. These have become embedded into our working practices and procedures, and achievement of this accreditation is a formal recognition of the progress we are making. As the internationally accepted environmental management standard, ISO14001 provides a valuable benchmark for specifiers and clients as they assess supplier attitudes to environmental policy.

Management review and monitoring procedures will ensure that we now maintain continuous and sustainable improvement and that we comply with all environmental laws and regulations”.

View Laidlaw's profile:

Story

EES Data are providers of Contract Estimating and Management control software. The system is built around a number of core modules and is supplied with an extensive database of industry standard products. This industry designed Software includes Full Contract Estimating, Small Works Costing and Billing, Supplier and Quotation Request, Purchase Ordering and the option to bolt on the Plus range of management tools that cover Project Financial Monitoring and Control, Application for Payment and Valuation System plus a comprehensive Stock Control System.

The EES Data estimating and project management software is available direct from EES Data and is also available through Newey & Eyre and The BSS Group.

View EES Data's profile:

Story

The SceneMaster8000 is an easy-to-install and simple to programme dimming system from Leax Lighting Controls.

Offering unlimited circuits for scene controlled dimming, each rack in the Leax 8000 can be supplied with between 1-12 circuits. It is suitable for any combination of load types and can be programmed directly at the switch plates or from a laptop using specially developed Leax ControlMaster software providing the ultimate in control, configuration and programming.

The 8000 comes complete with an RS232 for interfacing with audio-visual equipment and it can be integrated with daylight linking control.

In addition, the system can control curtains and blinds and is compatible with non-lighting LonWorks® compliant products such as heating and ventilation.

It comes in a wide range of control plates with a wide range of finishes customised to suit the requirements of any interior scheme.

Whatever the lighting project, Leax has the solution.

View Leax's profile:

Story

View EBP's profile:

Story

Wavin, the UK’s leading supplier of plastic pipe systems and solutions has extended its range of Electrofusion Fittings suitable for both potable and non-potable water applications. They are all 40 volt fittings and have 4mm connection pins. The list of available fittings is comprehensive and includes couplers, tapping tees, elbows, reducers, end caps and a duckfoot bend kit.

All fittings are WRAS approved; certified to BS EN 12201:2003 and meet DWI regulations 32, 30 and 27. Fittings up to and including 63mm diameter contain integral clamping to improve productivity and deliver the highest joint quality. The heating wire is covered to ensure it has no direct contact with the pipe, but direct contact with the fusion surface ensures a high quality connection. All fittings are barcode labelled for automatic fusion and limited path fusion indicators maintain pressure within the joint and offer a visual check as to the success of the jointing.

Cleanliness is essential with Electrofusion Fittings and although the standard installation methods are well understood, it is hoped the additional features offered by the range will deliver superior joint quality. Wavin also offers an Electrofusion product and installation guide, which is available on request.

View Wavin UK's profile:

Story

Unlike many other currently available instrument test boxes, the new Megger MTB7671 checks all of the key operating parameters of instruments under test. Users can, therefore, have complete confidence that the accuracy and performance of their instruments are maintained between routine calibrations, as required by the Guidance Notes that accompany the IEE Wiring Regulations.

Designed specifically to address the shortcomings of existing test boxes, which typically check only the primary functions of instruments, Megger’s new MTB7671 also checks vital parameters, such as the voltage applied by the instrument during insulation tests.

Not only are the limits for these parameters laid down in the IEE Wiring Regulations and EN61557 which is called for in the 17th Edition, making them a mandatory part of the test procedure, they also have a huge effect on the validity of test results. For example, if the insulation test voltage is too low, defective insulation may register as satisfactory – with potentially dangerous consequences.

The MTB7671 is capable of checking insulation testers, continuity testers, loop testers and RCD testers. Test functions are colour coded to ensure ease of use, and pass/fail limits are incorporated for all parameters where such limits are published. Instruments can, therefore, be checked quickly against a series of simple pass/fail indications.

For insulation testers, the MTB7671 provides confirmation that the instrument is producing the correct voltage and current, as well as checking calibration at five values from 0.25 megohm to 90 megohms. Continuity testers are checked for correct output voltage and current, and for accuracy of resistance measurement at 0.5 ohm and 5 ohm.

When checking loop testers, the MTB7671 provides a direct loop measurement from the outlet socket, which can be measured either with a trip or a no-trip test. It also offers loop plus 1 ohm and loop plus 180 ohm checks for verifying that instruments will give reliable results in TT installations. For RCD testers, the MTB7671 provides RCD values of 10mA, 30mA and 100mA. For each value, the five standard tests can be performed.

The test box is also provided with 230V output terminals to provide a quick check for instruments with voltage-measuring ranges, and its special design means that it can be safely used with either standard or RCD-protected supplies without the risk of tripping the supply.

View Megger's profile:

Story

The Royal Yacht Britannia, the boat that helped to make The Queen the most travelled monarch the world has ever known, is now benefiting from environmental systems manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric’s range of air conditioning solutions – providing modern comfort in a traditional setting.

The yacht, launched in 1953, is now permanently berthed at Leith Harbour, Edinburgh, Scotland, and is open as a visitor centre, with additional conference hire and banqueting facilities.

In its day, the yacht could travel at speeds of 22.5 knots, using its extensive 125.65m length and 16.76m breadth to journey to locations worldwide. This was the ship that, even with its full complement of around 300 Royal Yachtsmen and Royal Household staff, The Queen named as the one place where she could truly relax.

In keeping with the traditional elegance of the yacht, Eric McPhail of refrigeration and air conditioning specialist Kooltech, selected and supplied a range of systems to provide comfortable conditions to blend into the background of the design.

The new installation includes two PUHY-P250YHM-A condensing units located in the ship’s funnel and ten PEFY-P63-VMS1-E fan coil units. Prior to installation, Kooltech treated the condensing units with Blygold at its Glasgow site – a treatment which applies a coating to provide long lasting corrosion protection to heat exchangers without affecting the heat transfer or pressure drop.

“One of the key issues when working on the Britannia was to maintain its glamour and traditional design, while providing the optimum comfort for visitors,” explains Bob Farrington, Kooltech’s Brand Manager.

“The purpose of the air-conditioned area on the yacht was to re-create the Royal Deck, which in the past was used for Royal cocktail parties, with a permanent awning and glazing.”

Britannia has a dedicated maintenance team, many of whom have a Royal Navy or shipyard background, all working 363 days a year to look after and preserve the yacht in keeping with her former glory.

View Mitsubishi Electric's profile: