Portiuncula University Hospital
New 50-Bed Ward Extension & New Main Substation

 

Substation Development

Due to capacity limitations and spatial constraints within the existing main switchroom, the HSE and project design team developed a new main electrical substation to serve:

• The existing hospital campus

• The new 50-bed ward extension

• Future expansion requirements

 

All systems were designed in full compliance with Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) best practice guidelines.

 

Switchgear Design & Specification

Parkmore Electrical designed and manufactured a 2000A Form 4a Type 3 segregated LV main distribution board, incorporating:

• Elsteel modular enclosure and busbar system

• Siemens air circuit breakers (ACBs) and MCCBs

• Dual ESB transformer supplies

• Generator-backed secondary supplies

• Power Resilience & System Architecture

 

The system was engineered with a fully synchronised automatic changeover strategy, enabling:

• Seamless transfer between ESB supplies and generator backup

• No interruption to power during supply changeover

• Operation from any single supply source

• Split-load capability, allowing different sections of the board to be fed independently

 

This design provides dual supply capability for critical hospital areas and enhanced operational flexibility.

 

Operational & Maintenance Features

• Withdrawable, motorised ACB incomers for rapid maintenance and integration with control systems

• 24 outgoing breakers, including a combination of ACBs and MCCBs

• Mix of motorised and manual breakers for both automated control (e.g. load shedding) and standard operation

• Withdrawable/pluggable design for ease of replacement and reduced downtime

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Protection, Monitoring & Integration

• LSIG trip units across all breakers for advanced protection and selectivity

• Reduced risk of nuisance tripping in critical healthcare environments

• Digital multifunction meters on all incomers and outgoing ways

• Modbus connectivity to the hospital’s BMS system

 

This enables real-time monitoring of:

• Energy usage (kWh, kW)

• Current and voltage

• Power factor and power quality

 

Installation & Changeover

As the new substation was required to supply the entire hospital campus, installation required careful planning and coordination.

Parkmore Electrical worked closely with all stakeholders to deliver a fully managed changeover process, ensuring:

• No loss of power to the hospital

• Seamless transition to the new system

• Continuous operation of critical services

 

50-Bed Ward Extension

Parkmore Electrical also supplied the LV switchgear for the new ward development, ensuring consistency in performance, reliability, and compliance.

 

Switchgear Solution

A 630A Form 4a Type 2 LV distribution board was designed and manufactured, featuring:

• Elsteel modular enclosure and busbar system

• Siemens MCCB protection devices

• Dual supply configuration

 

Key Features

• Two incoming supplies with Castell key interlocking for safe operation

• Flexible configuration allowing:

Supply from either source

Split-board operation across both supplies

 

Technical Specification

• Incomers:

4-pole plug-in MCCBs with LSI protection

• Outgoing Circuits:

3-pole fixed MCCBs with LSI trip units

• Control Integration:

Alarm contacts on all breakers

Full BMS integration for trip status monitoring

 

Sub-Distribution

In addition to the main distribution board, Parkmore Electrical designed and manufactured:

• 9 sub-distribution boards (63A–160A)

• Form 3b segregation throughout

• Elsteel modular system with Siemens breakers

 

These boards provide safe, reliable downstream power distribution across the facility.

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