Mid Kent Electrical Limited, working on behalf of Southern Water, required a new mobile generator connection point to be integrated within a new manual transfer switchboard.

The site was experiencing issues with ageing transfer switchgear and repeated power outages. When hire generators were required, they had to be connected to old transfer switches through a time-consuming process involving site safety procedures, long cable runs and extensive cable connection work.

The client required a more practical and resilient solution, including a new manual transfer switch system, remote load bank connection and hire generator connection point.

The existing transfer switchgear was ageing and no longer provided an efficient arrangement for temporary generator connection during power outages.

Each time a hire generator was needed, the site had to go through an extensive process to make the area safe before cables could be run and connected. This created additional time pressure during power disruption and made the response process more complicated than necessary.

The new system needed to bring multiple requirements together in one outdoor solution, including manual transfer switching, mobile generator connection and remote load bank capability. It also had to be designed around the site’s electrical infrastructure, with coordination required between P&I Group, UKPN, the switchgear manufacturer, canopy specialists and the direct customer.

P&I Group’s design department developed a bespoke manual transfer switchboard solution with an integrated mobile generator connection point and remote load bank facility.

The switchgear unit was designed by two P&I Group design engineers and built in conjunction with Carville Switchgear. A specialist outdoor enclosure was also produced by marine specialists to achieve the required IP rating and protect the equipment in its operating environment.

The project required detailed coordination between all parties, including site meetings with UKPN, the switchgear manufacturers, the direct customer and the canopy specialists. This ensured the final system could meet the required specification and be ready for the planned shutdown and final connection works.

Once the hire equipment was installed, the works were completed within one week ahead of the final shutdown day, allowing the LV and HV connections to the switchgear to be completed.

The project involved 12 weeks of design and build, followed by two weeks on site to complete the installation works.

The bespoke outdoor switchgear solution gave the site a safer and more practical way to connect mobile generator equipment during power disruption. It reduced reliance on older transfer switches and simplified the process for temporary generator connection and load bank testing.

The switchgear was positioned by three engineers and electrically installed by two engineers in coordination with UKPN. The completed system provided Southern Water with improved resilience and a more efficient approach to emergency power connection.