Success Story: Electrical Energy

I. CUSTOMER ENVIRONMENT / PROJECT CONTEXT

Customer profile:

Scottish and Southern Energy is one of the country's largest energy companies, involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity; energy trading; the storage, distribution and supply of gas; electrical and utility contracting; and telecoms.

Customer objective and constraints:

Scottish and Southern Energy identified a need to investigate maintenance for a 10 year old switchboard. For long term reliability and to add significantly to the life expectancy of the equipment, Scottish and Southern Energy elected to have the entire switchboard refurbished. The problem was that because the skid mounted board was deployed at various sites, the need to have it back in service quickly was an imperative.

II. SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation methodology (main phases):

The seven panel portable skid mounted switchboard consisted of six of Schneider Electric's Ringmaster distribution panels and a metering unit. Investigation revealed that one breaker, together with the Voltage Instability Predictor (VIP300) relay, was faulty and needed repair.

Solution overview (services, products, systems, architectures...):

The complete panel was taken to Schneider Electric's Leeds factory, where the original panels were made. A complete refurbishment was undertaken to return the six Ringmaster units and the meter to as new condition. Moreover, before releasing the completed unit, it underwent a thorough functionality test, gas check and trip testing. Finally, the panel was cleaned and repainted with the panel returned to Scottish and Southern Energy looking like a brand new switchboard.

III. RESULTS / ACHIEVEMENT

Customer benefits:

Costing significantly less than a new equivalent switchboard, Scottish and Southern Energy saved money; lost no resource because the refurbishment was completed in a tight timeframe and to deadline; and has a unit that is assured of being reliable for years to come.

Customer testimonies (Verbatim):

Roger Wright, Scottish and Southern Energy said, "The equipment was returned tested and shining like a new pin. These skid mounted units, because they are moved, must be rugged and reliable. We can now depend on the panel without concerns about its age or condition".