Switchgear Installation Method Statement for MV LV HV Switchgear Panels

The purpose of generating this electrical method statement is to define the switchgear installation procedure step by step.

By implementing the correct practices for medium voltage switchgear panel installation & its accessories as per the guidelines contained herein, contractor can ensure that the job execution complies with project specifications and serves the intended function to satisfactory level.

This panel installation method statement is also applicable for LV HV switchgear installation.

Method statement covers all processes related to switchgear installation and its accessories, switchgear installation procedure is to be read in conjunction with the relevant ITP, outlining the responsibility and the quality inspection / verification to be performed by various parties like engineers, consultants and clients etc.

Relevant References and Codes

• Approved Shop drawings
• Electrical project specifications
• Project HSE plan
• Project Quality Plan
• Manufacturer’s data sheets & Manufacturer recommendations
• Regulation of the local Electrical Authority
• Requirements of Civil Defense Department
• Approved Material submittal

Definitions and Abbreviations

PQP: Project Quality Plan

PSP: Project Safety Plan

QCP: Quality Control Procedure

HSE: Health, Safety and Environment

MS: Method Statement

ITP: Inspection Test Plan

QA/QC: Quality Assurance / Quality Control Engineer.

SK: Store Keeper.

WIR: Work Inspection Request

MIR: Material Inspection Request

MV: Medium Voltage

Switchgear Installation Responsibilities

Responsibilities for ensuring that the steps in this procedure shall be carried out are specified at relevant steps in the procedure:

• Project Manager
• Construction manager
• QA/QC Engineer
• Site Engineer
• HSE officer
• SK

Project Manager Responsibility

Project Manager is overall responsible for the project in terms of work execution, safety, planning & quality.

The Project Manager will maintain the planning progress and coordination of works with the main contractor.

Work progress monitoring shall be carried out as per planned program and all the equipment’s required to execute the works shall be available in good condition as per project plan.

Specific attention is paid to all safety measures and quality control in coordination with Safety Engineer and QA/QC Engineer and in line with PSP and PQP.

Construction Manager

Project construction manager is responsible to supervise and control the work on site.

Coordinating with QA/QC Engineer and site Team and foremen for all activities on site.

Control and sign all WIR’s before issuing to consultant for the inspections and approvals.

Site Engineer

He is responsible to implement this method of statement according to the project specifications and approved shop drawings.

Provision of all necessary information and distribution of responsibilities to his construction team.

The work progress shall be monitored in accordance with the planned work program and he will provide reports to his superiors.

Constant coordination with the Safety Engineer to ensure that the works are carried out in safe working atmosphere.

To coordinate with QA/QC engineer for all works related to switchgear installation, and initiate the inspection request for the finished works.

He will ensure the implementation of any variation request that might be raised by the consultant.

Efficient daily progress shall be obtained for all the equipment installation and ensure maximum manpower utilization.

He will engage himself in the work and check and verify the daily reports received from the foremen.

The passage of all the revised information to the Foremen and ensure that it’s being carried out properly.

QA/QC Engineer (MEP)

The monitoring of executions of works at site to make sure these are as per the approved shop drawings, manufacturer instructions and project specifications.

Ensure WIRs and MIRs are being raised for activities in timely manner and inspected by the consultant.

Check and ensure that all activities are completed in time prior to offering for the consultant approvals/ inspection.

Make sure that all the inspections and tests are carried out as per project specifications.

Obtain the required clearance from site teams prior to consultant’s inspections.

Should acquire any necessary civil works clearances and coordination.

Coordinate with site construction team for all quality related activities/matters.

Make sure the coordination and assist the consultant engineer / inspector during inspection.

Site Foreman

Carry out the works and proper distribution of all the available resources in coordination with the electrical site engineer on daily basis.

To make sure that daily targets of the switchgear installation works are achieved in coordination with the site engineer.

Incorporate all the QA/QC and Safety requirements as requested by the concerned engineer incharge.

Meeting with any type of unforeseen incident or requirement and reporting the same to the site engineer immediately.

Health and Safety Officer

Implementation of all safety measures in accordance with the project HSE plan and make sure that work force is aware of its proper implementation.

The implementation of safety measures to maintain a safe working environment on the work activity.

Inspection of all the site activities and training personnel in accident prevention and proper reporting to the construction manager and the project manager.

Make sure that the site is maintained in a clean and tidy manner.

Ensure only trained persons shall operate the power tools.

Also to make sure that all personals working on the site are wearing suitable PPE as per the site requirements.

Ensure adequate lighting is provided in the working area all the time especially if working at night time.

Make sure that the high risk elevated areas are provided suitable barricade, warning tapes, safety nets and ladders etc.

Ensure service area/inspection area openings are provided with proper barricade, tape, and safety nets.

Also make sure the provision of safe access to and from the working areas at all times.

Store Keeper (SK)

Responsible for overall site store operations, making sure smooth material delivery to the site and keeping all store items in suitable areas that will keep the material safe from rust, dust and damage.

One who will acknowledge the receiving of materials at site in coordination with QA/QC and concerned engineer.

Necessary Tools & Equipment

• Panel & Accessories shall be in line with approved material submittal and as per approved shop drawing
• Electrician Tool Box
• Portable Hand Tools
• Portable Drilling Machine
• Grinding Machine
• Insulation Testing Equipment
• Digital Multimeter
• Measuring Tape
• PPE such as safety shoes, safety helmet, safety glasses, fluorescent vest, safety gloves and dust masks.

Health and Safety Requirements

Ensure only trained/ Authorized & licensed persons shall operate the power tools and do the Testing job.

Also make sure that personnel’s dealing with live electricity shall be certified and competent.

Ensure that Temporary live cable management plan shall developed and implemented.

Necessary PPE to be worn while working on energized circuits and equipment’s.

Ensure adequate lighting is provided in the working area.

Make sure safe lifting and shifting of switch gear, related hazards and risks shall be identified before starting the works.

Ensure LOTO procedure to be followed and implemented as applicable during execution of work.

Emergency response plan & procedure shall be developed and established as per the site condition during the execution of activity.

Permit to work system to be applied and necessary permits to be obtained to start work on the required area.

Calibrated instruments only to be used for any testing etc.

Temporary power supply for testing and commissioning shall be taken through standard rated MCBs and RCBs.

Power supply cables for temporary power supply shall not have any joints.

Work Sequence and Methodology

Check all material delivered to site is inspected properly by QA/QC Engineer and check if it is stored properly as per manufacturer’s recommendations.

MIR shall be raised for the inspection of materials received at site by MEP QA/QC Engineer to the Main contractor / Consultant Engineer.

Work shall be carried out by the site staff under strict supervision and guidance of the concerned Supervisors / Foremen / Engineers.

MEP QA/QC Engineer shall check all the installations as per the Installation Check list.

WIR shall be prepared by MEP QA/QC Engineer and will be submitted to Consultant for their inspection and approval.

MEP QA/QC Engineer shall coordinate with other contractors and arrange inspection for switchgear installation to the consultant engineer.

QA/QC engineer is responsible for getting the work inspected and approved by consultant engineer.

Handling and Storage

On receipt of MV Panel and accessories at site, necessary precautions shall be taken for unloading, shifting and storage, as follows:

Material shall be stored in a covered / dry space at all the time.

All materials received at site shall be inspected and ensured that the materials are as per approved material submittal.

Any discrepancies, damage etc., found will be notified and reported for further action.

Site engineer has to ensure that the MV panels used at site are of free from any damage or deformity of any kind.

Any minor damages observed shall be repaired suitably and in case if the repairs could not be done properly, the mv panels are to be sent to assembler for rectification.

General Panel Installation Procedure

Ensure that the work area is ready and safe to start the installation of switchgear panel.

Ensure the installation of MV Panel are carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s installation recommendations, requirement of applicable standards and in accordance with recognized industrial practices and specified in project specifications to ensure that switchgear installation complies with requirements.

Prior to start the switchgear installation, refer to the approved shop drawings related to the area of installation and ensure that required materials are available at site as per approved material submittals.

Ensure the materials are stored properly and there is no mark of damage or deformity of any kind before issuing the material from site store.

All materials and accessories should also be free of dust, scale, or oil.

Ensure that the issued materials are of approved specifications / submittals and as per the requirement of the area shop drawings. (i.e. Make, Size, Model / Type etc.,).

Switchgear Installation Procedure

All required Installation shall be accordance to applicable electrical regulations.

Switchgear components such as relays, fuses, CT’s contractor’s meters, breakers size, bus bar sizes etc. shall be verified against the approved material submittal.

All installation shall be carried out according to the approved shop drawing for the switchgear panels.

Ensure the floor surface is ready with base frames grouted on the open trenches inside the HV room to install the MV Panel.

Minimum clearance of 800 mm shall be maintained at rear side of the panel so that easy access for termination of cables and other maintenance works is available.

MV Panel shall be installed in accordance with the Manufacturer’s recommendations, approved site layout and as per site requirements.

All knockouts made on the panel covers shall be filed and provided with grommets to avoid sharp edges and unused knockouts shall be covered.

The connection of bus bar trunking with MV panel shall be done rigidly with proper supports.

Cables bending radius should be not less than 12 times of the cable diameter in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations and as per specifications.

Cable pulling, termination & crimping shall be done as per cable termination method statement.

Termination of cables shall be done using approved material submittal for cable glands and lugs, glanding and connections should be done only by competent technicians / electricians.

Switchgear shall be provided with proper earthing connections as per approved shop drawings and applicable regulations.

Manufacturer recommendations are to be followed for all relay and other breaker current settings, as per the total connected loads and the discrimination study of the system.

Identification labels of approved type shall be fixed on the MV panel.

Ensure that all cable entries and other openings in walls and floors of Electrical / HV room, are sealed with proper approved sealant.

Manufacturer’s representative shall verify the site installations and provide acceptance of same prior to Energization of MV Panel after obtaining clearance from site engineer.

Ensure that adequate air conditioning is provided to the MV panel room and the Unit of the A/C shall not be installed inside MV room as per contract drawing.

The A/C unit shall be installed outside the room and to be connected with duct to MV room, and no water services allowed inside HV room as per applicable local regulation.

Connecting cables between the switchboard and battery unit, and between the switchboard and AC control panel shall be neatly run on cable trays supplied by the contractors.

The connecting cables between the switchboard and battery unit shall be at least 4 mm in size and shall be run in a ring configuration. Physically, the cables for entry and exit of the same loop should not be the same.

All wiring and termination of connecting cables shall be carried out by the contractor.

Conductors used for AC and DC circuits shall not be mixed in the same multiconductor cable.

Upon completing the installation of MV switchgear Panel, verify that all the works are carried out as per local regulations.

Raise (WIR) for installation of switchgear panel along with glanding and termination for consultant approval.

ATTACHMENTS

• Inspection and Testing Plan
• Inspection Checklist
• HSE Risk Assessment