Main Switchboard Room Requirements

In some projects switchboard and panelboard installation may be taking on a new twist with distributed generation applications such as small wind and solar installations.

Main switchboard room requirements.

Electrical equipment may be for power distribution equipment or for communications equipment. Stand alone packages. Main equipment rooms distribution pathways and local branch equipment rooms. Integrated facilities switchboard ifs.

An electrical room is a room or space in a building dedicated to electrical equipment. Design criteria for room ventilation. Each switchroom is unique and needs to be considered in relation to the specific equipment which will be installed. Openings or doorways should be at least 0 9 m wide by 2 2 m high to allow access to the switchboard room or enclosure where necessary.

Its size is usually proportional to the size of the building. Limit values for humidity and air quality e g. As an illustration the diagram below shows simple room layout consisting of a 22 kv switchboard some dc and scada panels click for a larger image. Unimpeded space of at least 0 6 metres around the switchboards with switchboard doors in any position and switchgear fully racked out position.

Main lv switchrooms will typically contain free standing switchboards and motor control centres mcc along with auxiliary equipment required for the room to function bus ducts cable containment distribution boards lighting small power air conditioning equipment fire fighting etc. Where a clear space of at least 3 m is provided in front of the switchboard and its equipment including its doors only one emergency exit path needs to be provided. The most important is not to exceed the permissible maximum temperature. There are three types of general interior electrical spaces that factor into new building design.

This ifs assembly can incorporate normal main switchboard structures along with structures that incorporate multiple panel boards per structure usually two as well as dry type transform ers. Together with the actual equipment sizes this defines the overall minimum dimensional requirements of the room. Dust content may also be set. Switchboard ifs that requires access from the front only.

Switchgear placed in another service area near the genset room opens floor space and helps keep operators out of high decibel areas when gensets are in operation and protects delicate electronics from the heat and vibration associated with these machines. In order to design a good ventilation of switchgear and transformer rooms the air in the room must meet various requirements. Article 408 contains the requirements for switchboards panelboards and distribution boards for light and power.