Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LV Switchboard
LV Switchboard
Power Sources
1. Power company: CLP or HKE power company (Power in Kowloon and Hong Kong
Island is supplied by CLP and HKE power company, respectively)
2. Generators: Fire Service Installation (FSI) Genset for firefighting devices, non-FSI
Gensets for important load
3. Renewable Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) System and Air Improvement Photovoltaic (AIPV)
System are required to install at roof and 2F, respectively.
4. Uninterruptible Power System (UPS): Usually serve for computer system.
5. Central Battery System (CBS): Usually serve for FSI lighting.
Note: The CBS should not serve for computer system, because when the power source
transfer, it disturbs the computer operation.
Distribution Device
• Low voltage switch boards (LVSB)
• UPS cabinet/ ASTS
• CBS cabinet/ substation
• Power panels (MCCB/MCB board)
Distribution method
Bus duct
(Rating up to 6000A, allows tap-off
connections)
Power Track
(Rating up to 100A, flexible but has the
risk of contact because of the exposed
live busbar)
Low voltage switchboard/switchgear is the core of building, it includes the main flowing
function.
1. Power Distribution
2. Circuit Protection
3. Switching and Control
4. Metering and Monitoring
5. Safety and Protection
6. Accessibility and Maintenance
Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) & Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) difference
1. Rating: MCCB rating is up to 800A, while ACB is 6300A
2. Size: MCCB are generally 3 to 4 times smaller than ACB
3. Cost: Generally, MCCB is cheaper than ACB, however, when the current is greater than
700A, ACB may be cheaper than MCCB.
Interlock:
One N.C. ACB and one N.O. ACB are connected, enforce proper ON/OFF sequences to
prevent both supply of transformer and generator.
in LVSB
Power Quality
Volatge and current are in phase, therefore, the instantanous power is always positive.
Capacitor Installation
The voltage rises, electric field changers, instantanous power is positive
The voltage falls, energy return to source.
Power
The electric company provides apparent power but devices themselves only need the actual
active power component to operate.
Therfore, power companies in Hong Kong like CLP and HKE both require that the total
power factor for any circuit should not be less than 0.85.
LVSB Modification
According to Code of practice, there are three main rules for LVSB.
1. For 400A or above circuit, 1x100A spare switch for CAP and AHF.
2. For IT, office, AC Circuit, AHF and its Switch are required.
3. DPA meter should be provided for the 400A or above circuit.
1. For 400A or above circuit, 1x100A spare switch for CAP and AHF.
CAP - Capacitor banks may be needed for power factor correction. The spare switch
allows installing capacitor banks.
AHF - Active Harmonic Filters minimize harmonic distortion on large power circuits.
The spare switch allows installing an AHF if required.
Spare switch allows easy installation later without shutdowns.
2. For IT, office, AC Circuit, AHF and its Switch are required.
IT and AC loads can generate harmonics. AHF helps filter harmonics to improve power
quality.
Dedicated AHF switch allows isolating filter for maintenance.
Essential for large 400A+ circuits to analyze issues, optimize energy use.
“I use different color and shape to mark down the three mistakes in following LVSB
Schematic, it make sure the security the LVSB operation.”