Central Area Overhead Replacement Project

Overhead electrical cables are generally cheaper and easier to install than their underground bretheren. However, they require maintenance and occasional replacement.
The recent shutdown in the central area was part of our long term plan to eventually replace all the overhead power lines on the Park with underground armoured cable.

We took the opportunity to also completely replace the 'Old Cornerstone Shed', which housed the switchgear and meters for the General Office area. The use of smaller components and combined electronic meters has meant that the whole package has been squeezed into an enclosure on the back of the 'New Cornerstone Shed'.

In due course the redundant overhead cables will be taken down, quite a major task in its own right as the cables are very heavy and their removal must be balanced to prevent the poles falling over!
As policy on all new installations, we strategically place isolation points and circuit breakers to allow for future maintenance and shutdown. This means that small sections of the network can be shutdown at the flick of a switch rather than whole areas.

The need to shut down the Community Centre for ten minutes was unforeseen, but very necessary. The electricians needed to make a final connection within inches of the CC's supply and it was simply considered too dangerous to continue so long as the panel was energised.
As usual with our shutdowns, we make every effort to prepare as much as possible beforehand and always only shutdown the sections that are completely necessary.