Continuity of power for M&S store
ABB has helped Marks & Spencer’s Glasgow flagship store on Argyle Street to complete a seamless transition from its failing copper busbars to a new XLPE cable-based LV (415V) power distribution network. The key to ABB’s successful execution of the £175,000 project was a phased approach, carefully co-ordinated to maintain continuity of the store’s power supply so that no valuable trading time was lost. At the same time, ABB’s innovative approach to materials handling enabled the work to be completed with a minimum of scaffolding and without the need for cranes.
The work involved removing two 2300A resinencapsulated copper busbar circuits and replacing them with XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cables. Four single-core ABB copper cables, with a 630mm cross-section, have been installed for each transformer phase – a total of 16 cables per transformer, each around 30m long. The cables have been laid in steel trays (galvanised ladder racking) with a lid to prevent degradation by UV light. ABB also replaced the busbar terminations with new transformer switches capable of handling loads of 700A per phase. The main transition activities were carried out during the store’s Sunday shut-down periods - a window of just two and a half hours. Removing the encapsulated copper busbars was a particular challenge as their weight (69kg per metre) required them to be cut out in individual one-metre lengths, while ensuring that they were held carefully to avoid them dropping from height. In fact, thanks to the great care taken with all aspects of the project, ABB received a glowing health and safety report.