1. Client Overview
- Company/industry/sector
Our client is a global logistics company who support Shetland’s busy energy sector.
- Key challenge or goal they were facing
A key power supply cable failed affecting a significant portion of the client’s site at Lerwick’s Greenhead Base.
2. The Challenge
- The specific problem
Out technician team investigated the power failure and tested the existing cable. It was found to have completely failed to earth. A replacement cable was quickly specified and ordered from one of our approved suppliers, but an unavoidable long lead time would leave clients facility users without power. For that reason, a 500kVA generator and long-run tank were provided to supply the facility, along with a smaller generator to power client fuel facilities.
- Why it was important to address
In addition to long lead-time of cable, the long-term fix had to be planned and required civil engineering works to enable the new cable install. During that period a temporary power solution had to be put in place to allow the site users to continue their business.
3. Objectives
- Desired outcomes or success criteria
The objective was to restore reliable power supply to the client’s facilities. A secondary objective was to maintain temporary power until such time as the full fix could be applied.
4. Solution
- Provision
Our technicians had assessed the fault and implemented a temporary generation and distribution solution to maintain power supply to the client’s facilities. Our team also sized a replacement cable using licenced software and proposed a change of cable routing onsite to better supply the clients’ facilities. All this information was passed to our client via an engineering report prepared by our General Manager who is a chartered engineer.
- High-level technical elements
Cable calculation confirmed the need for a 130-metre long 185mm2 4 core BS5467 Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable. This cable allowed for future expansion of loads at the consumer end in conjunction with a recently upgraded client distribution board in the building. Main temporary power was supplied via one of our 500kVA generators and a 2000 litre double-skinned fuel tank delivered by our HIAB truck and installed by our technician team to the client distribution system. A second smaller generator was provided to power the client’s fuel handling facilities. The engineering report recommended a change to the supply to second affected warehouse, using a spare way in a client distribution board to bypass the fault which also affected the second building. Cable calculations indicated a 25mm2 SWA cable could be used for this second building feed. All cable was procured using our approved supplier network.
5. Implementation
- Brief timeline or process overview
The temporary power supply solution was put in place on the day we were contacted about the fault. This solution was in place for a month during the cable lead time. A Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) was prepared to detail the safe execution of the repair and was shared with the client to ensure compliance with their safe system of work. A power outage was planned for installation and our team used Hiab Truck, Telehandler and Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) to affect the repair. Our technician team worked to completion to ensure the outage for installation was less than one working day. Additional electrical safety improvements were identified as part of the installation condition assessment, and additional guards were fabricated and installed.
- Key actions taken
- Identify the fault
- Provide temporary solution
- Formally report the fault and recommendations for repair
- Engineer and procure the long-term solution
- Provide RAMS for safe implementation of the solution
- Plan and deliver the long-term fix in cooperation with the client.
6. Results & Impact
- Short-term temporary solution implemented to minimise client customer disruption.
- Long-term solution implemented within one working day ensuring minimal disruption to our client’s customers and deliver of a reliable long-term future-proofed fix.
7. Customer Quote or Testimonial
The client’s operations team lead thanked us for the successful completion of the work:
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the excellent work your team carried out in repairing the main cable fault supplying our warehouses.
From the outset, your professionalism and organisation were clear to see.
The team kept us well-informed throughout the process, explained what was happening at each stage, and made sure the work progressed as smoothly as possible.
We also really appreciated the strong focus on safety while the repairs were being carried out.
The work areas were kept secure and well managed at all times, which made a big difference given the location and nature of the fault.”
8. Key Takeaways
- Summary of how we helped
Diagnosing a significant cable fault, identifying both the temporary and long-term solutions, producing technical report on the issue, using our long-established networks to source key materials and tooling, providing a safe method of work and communicating with client on delivery of solution and delivering work safely within the agreed timeframe.
If you have an industrial power supply project or issue, our electrical and mechanical engineering teams can safely deliver engineered solutions. Contact us with your complex industrial electrical projects and we will be happy to quote and deliver to a high standard.
