Innovation in action: Continuous service with Smart Emax E4.2 breakers
Singapore - Keeping the heart of the hospital beating longer
Singapore
Challenge
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospitals current breakers had become outdated. With patient safety the top priority, reliable power supply is vital, especially during surgery and the operation of life-support equipment. The hospital therefore needed to organize for the installation of new, reliable switchgear without impacting the continuity of healthcare.
Solution
An ideal solution provided by ABB enabled the facility to maintain its normal operations while gradually modernizing its electric-power protection system. To substitute smart Emax E4.2 breakers for the old Megamax F5 devices, ABB used a “cradle-in-cradle” technology, which enables the replacement of any manufacturer’s older low-voltage circuit breakers with ABB Emax breakers. The technology consists of an interface frame with inner and outer interfaces. The outer interface mounts physically and electrically in the switchgear cubicle, minimizing downtime. The inner interface matches up with the Emax 2 breaker, allowing for quick and easy installation and removal.
ABB also carried out servicing and testing for the hospital on all its low-voltage and transformer switchgear units.
Outcome
We were able to provide KKH with a direct replacement solution that does not require a hard-bus retrofit, since they were unable to power down the switchboard fully as a result of critical outgoing loads.
These solutions gave KKH the opportunity to change out many of the old breakers over a short shutdown window period.