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ABB and Mardix provide major national media client with comprehensive electronic control

5 Aug 2010
News
ABB has been working with Mardix, a leading provider of switchgear solutions, to provide electrical control for a major UK/Global media client.

The project sees ABB providing all control and power distribution equipment for Mardix LV switchgear being installed on site. The switchgear includes a variety of high power custom-built 6300A Package Substations, LV switchboards, UPS switchboards and Mechanical panelboards. ABB’s S200 series MCBs were fitted to large quantities of various types of final distribution boards manufactured by Mardix to compliment the overall offering.

The Mardix mains LV switchboards have been certified by the Association of Short Circuit Testing (ASTA) up to 6300A in a naturally cooled configuration which is an achievement few switchgear manufacturers can claim for the ABB Emax ACB. The switchboards are perfectly suited to handling large electrical loads for the media client’s studios. This capability was achieved through an innovative switchboard design, and a range of ABB co-ordinated electrical control equipment.

“We have made significant advances in the cooling technology utilised in the Mardix cubicle system. Achieving the ASTA Certificate of Type Testing for a 6300A naturally cooled configuration has demonstrated the superior performance of the new Mardix Busbar systems” says Wayne Lewis, Director for Mardix. “We fully endorse an ASTA approach, and see it as enhanced peace of mind for clients who know that Mardix equipment has been subject to rigorous testing without failure”.

The Mardix switchboards utilise a range of ABB equipment including ABB’s Emax air circuit breaker range, rated from 800A to 6300A, Tmax Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) from 100A to 1600A, Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) S200s up to 63A and the panel mount OS fuse switch range up to 400A. ABB is also handling the discrimination, coordination and selectivity aspects of the installation, which is designed to support the needs of the media client for the next 25 to 30 years.

“ABB equipment was chosen for its reliability. Any media company cannot afford to go off air for any length of time, so reliability is extremely important,” says Dave McWilliam, Account Manager for ABB’s low voltage products division, “We have vast experience in dealing with complex, high profile projects and have worked with Mardix on similar projects in the past.”

Each LV switchboard has been specifically developed to house the Emax 6300A air circuit breakers. Mardix has also developed a new cooling chamber specifically for the cooling requirements of the switchboards.

The ABB Emax range’s design eliminates the disadvantages and limitations associated with air circuit breakers – the integrated design features advanced monitoring, protection and control functions that were previously performed by external devices. This combined functionality saves space within the switchboard and time because there is less equipment to install.

ABB’s MCBs and MCCBs provide protection against overload, short circuits and earth faults. The circuit breakers protect the switchboards from surges in current and the broadcaster’s equipment from stress and overloads.

The inclusion of ABB’s OS fuse switch range provides the Mardix switchboards with outgoing protection and the ability to connect equipment in a flexible manner. The OS range is available in single-to-four pole versions and it is possible to select devices with connections provided from the front, the side or the rear with vertical and horizontal mounting options. This flexibility allows more equipment to be fitted into the switchboards with the installer selecting the best connection type to reduce engineering resource.

Equipment is currently being manufactured at the Mardix headquarters in preparation for delivery to the client’s site. The equipment will be added to a current installed base of ABB Emax , OESA fuse switches and other legacy products that were fitted during phase one of the project to provide a fully integrated ABB installation that will control the studios and facilities on site. The integration of further ABB products will harmonise and coordinate products further.