Power equipment center application guide

E50001-F710-A394-X-4A00

Answers for energy.

Figure 1: Modular PEC enclosures

Power equipment center application guide

Introduction For many years, the petrochemical industry has utilized power equipment centers (PECs) to house electrical equipment. Many utility and industrial customers are now utilizing PECs for their equipment as well. This document explains the benefits of PECs and compares them to conventional site-built technology for housing outdoor electrical equipment. The Siemens PPS facility has been manufacturing PECs since 1988 with installations across many industries.

Definition A PEC is a prefabricated, modular electrical/instrument enclosure. As a selfcontained unit, it is a completely assembled enclosure manufactured entirely at the factory. The most common designs employ self-framing interlocking wall and roof panels attached to a structural steel base. Equipment enclosed within a PEC can include: Low- and medium-voltage switchgear High-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) Low- and medium-voltage motor control centers
16 (406 mm) 2.9 (74 mm)

Figure 2: Typical wall, roof and ceiling panel for Siemens interlocking panel (type SIP) PEC

Protective relay panels Remote terminal units Instrument control panels Distributed control systems Heat trace panels Uninterruptible power supply systems Supervisory control and data systems.

Figure 2: Typical Siemens interlocking panel (SIP) PEC construction detail

Item
A B C D E F G H I J K

Description
Roof trim Weatherproof interlocking panels Polycarbonate viewing window Panic bar hardware for safety 1/4(6 mm) floor plate Structural steel support; sized for weight and strength C-channel supports Perimeter base Interior wall liner 3 (76 mm) insulating space Interior interlocking ceiling panels
F B E
G

B A

K J

C I

Standards

A PEC is designed and manufactured in accordance with a number of rigorous industry standards. Additionally, a PEC must be built to comply with local building codes.

A partial list of industry standards met by PECs built by Siemens: ASCE/SEI 7-05 - Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code AWS D1.1 - Structural Welding Code ASTM A-525 - Standard Specification for Sheet Steel with Galvanized Coating to G90 Standards ASTM A36 - Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel AISC Manual of Steel Construction Allowable Stress Design IBC - International Building Code.

Figure 3: Typical skid construction details

Figure 4: Roof - section view through the top wall cap

Width
D A B A B B D C H F H G E C A

Length
D E E D

Item
A B C D E

Description
Appropriately sized and spaced cross members Appropriately sized and spaced supports Appropriately sized perimeter channel 1/4 (6 mm) plate Lift point

Item
A B C D

Description
Fascia Top and bottom skip weld #14 Tek screws Wall panel

Item
E F G H

Description
Sloped roof panels Ceiling panel Drip shield 12-gauge galvanized wall cap roof and ceiling support

Construction

Base structure The steel supporting skid is fabricated from standard AISC shapes using ASTM A36 steel. Provisions are made for lifting the PEC for shipping and erection. The floor plate is ASTM A36 material and is typically designed for 250 pounds per square foot (psf) loading. All structural framing members are cleaned by metalbead blasting and then painted with a protective coating. The PEC base is typically structural steel perimeter members rigidly braced with structural steel cross-members for installation on a concrete foundation or piers. Figure 3: Typical skid construction details depicts such a base design.

Roof system Roof panels are typically constructed from 18-gauge minimum, powder coated, galvanized steel (G90) that are formed to provide an interlocking system. Roof panels are supplied in a single continuous length from eave line to ridgeline and designed for 30 psf loading. Higher roof loads can be achieved as required. Roof structures can also be designed for roof mounted HVAC units, entrance bushings and overhead bus supports. Figure 4: Roof - section view through the top wall cap provides a typical roof and ceiling section view detail.

Wall system Wall panels are typically constructed from 18-gauge minimum, powder coated, galvanized steel that are formed into an interlocking system. Interlocking 3 (76 mm) exterior wall panels are arranged on 16 (406 mm) centers and provide 90 MPH allowable wind loading. Higher wind load ratings can be provided as required. Interior wall liners and various insulation levels can also be provided. Figure 5: Section view through an insulated wall and Figure 6: Typical wallfloor connection on page 5 reveal construction details of the interlocking wall and the connection of these walls to the PEC floor.

Figure 5: Section view through an insulated wall

Figure 6: Typical wall-floor connection

Item
3 (76 mm) A B
E A C D E

Description
Interior wall 1/4 (6 mm) floor plate Perimeter channel #14 Tek screws

32 (813 mm)
B A

C D

3 (76 mm)
B D

Item
A B C D E

Description
3 (76 mm) fiberglass insulation Inner wall All seams silicone sealed Outside of interlocking wall panels #14 Tek screws

Resistance to environments The interlocking panel design provides a barrier against water entering the PEC by providing two 90 bends at seams between the exterior and interior walls of the PEC. Additional weatherproofing is also provided to ensure enclosure integrity. After assembly of the wall system, all seams are sealed with an industrial grade silicone sealant. Roof sealing putty is used at all wall-to-roof joints and at joints on peaked-roof enclosures. All roof panels are also individually sealed with silicone sealant. The paint system consists of surface preparation, primer on the base steel, underside coatings, finish paint or coatings and sealant. The finish coat on base steel is typically epoxy-based. For wall, ceiling and roof steel, an electrostatically applied and thermally set polyester powder coat finish is used. Each provides outstanding resistance to chemicals, moisture and abrasion.

These coatings are highly resistant to the deteriorating effects of many acids, alkalis, solvents, greases, oils and other active chemicals. Other coating systems can also be considered. The resulting enclosure can be designed for extreme ambient temperature and humid environments, ranging from minus 40 C to 50 C, while allowing the use of lower cost indoor types of switchgear and electronic equipment. Grounding system The PEC is furnished complete with suitable factory installed grounding provisions. Through appropriately sized ground buses and bonding jumpers, all electrical equipment enclosure frames and ground buses are in turn bonded to the building frame. Four two-hole ground pads are provided, with one located at each corner of the PEC exterior. Two of the ground pads are bonded to the interior ground bus. A separate quiet or isolated instrument ground bus can also be provided.

Other construction features Typically, PECs are provided with interior and exterior lighting, heating, ventilation and duplex receptacles. PECs can also be provided with air conditioning, humidity control and pressurization/purge systems (NFPA 496). Additionally, most features available in a site-built facility are available in a PEC; including offices, bathrooms, communications rooms and battery rooms. Figure 7: Typical PEC equipment layout including lighting on page 6 illustrates some of these details.

Figure 7: Typical PEC equipment layout including lighting

Item
A H I D A G K D J L

Description
10 (254 mm) 4 (1.2 m) 7 (2.1 m) Light Medium-voltage switchgear 15 (381 mm) 3 (914 mm) Fire extinguisher Electric unit heater Utility transformer (transformer and panel) 8 (203 mm) 2 (610 mm) 14 (4 m)

A B C D E F

D C E D

G H I J K L M

Rear access

9 (2.7 m) auxiliary equipment area

31 (9.4 m)

Applications

Application of a PEC is usually compared with conventional outdoor electrical/ instrument enclosures such as concrete block facilities and sheltered-aisle switchgear. Evaluation is centered on the issues of effective application, initial installation costs and total life cycle costs. Specific construction and procurement factors provide the basis for a more detailed technical and commercial comparison of alternatives. PEC vs. conventional building PECs are primarily used in applications that have traditionally favored electrical rooms constructed at the site utilizing conventional construction techniques. Table 1: Comparison of PECs and conventional site-built enclosures on page 8 elaborates the advantages of a PEC compared to the most common alternative, a concrete block building.

PEC application benefits One of the significant advantages of the PEC alternative is minimal field erection and commissioning time and expense. All equipment is interconnected and tested before shipment from the factory, including switchgear, DCS systems, power panels, heat trace panels, lighting panels, HVAC and battery systems. In the case of conventional buildings, the purchaser or contractor must coordinate and provide field labor to install, interconnect and test all equipment on site. With the PEC option, a major part of the engineering, drafting and coordination is transferred to the PEC manufacturer under one purchase order early in the project. Whereas, even a small site-built facility has all the elements of a major project requiring project management and coordination. Furthermore, for a conventional building project, a series of purchase orders will be required that can complicate the coordination effort. Numerous meetings for evaluation, review and coordination are necessary, and require additional allocation of the purchasers resources.

Engineering, fabrication and planning can proceed while waiting for equipment arrival at the PEC manufacturers location. Experience has shown that up to four times the man-hours must be allotted for site equipment installation because of the additional work done in the field, in contrast to a PEC which arrives complete, pre-tested and ready for installation. PECs can be installed on field erected piers which allows for them to be elevated to avoid flooding an advantage for installations near bodies of water or rivers. Having the PEC located on piers also provides the ability to install cable tray and bus duct systems below the building without the need for ground excavation. PECs can also be relocated and are not considered permanent structures as conventional buildings are. With a site-built facility, commercial warranties may be affected by staggered lead times that do not run concurrently with the overall system commissioning date.

Figure 8: Type Siemens interlocking panel (SIP) PEC with HVAC system

With most PEC installations, the warranty period for all the equipment inside the PEC will last for a predetermined number of months after shipment from the PEC manufacturer or from time of commissioning, whichever occurs first. Also, shipping time differs for each type of electrical equipment being installed. The total shipping time for PECs is only four to six weeks longer than for individually procured indoor equipment of the same type. Finally, the sum of individual equipment prices is not typically as low as equipment purchased as a package from a single supplier. Buying integrated PEC systems from one supplier in lieu of the conventional Built on site type of buildings can result in coordination simplicity, application flexibility, cost savings, quicker delivery and installation.

PEC vs. NEMA type 3R sheltered-aisle enclosure Most major switchgear suppliers, including Siemens, offer a line of sheltered aisle in single-row or doublerow arrangements that typically comply with NEMA 3R requirements for outdoor installation. Single-row installations consist of a lineup of outdoor switchgear adjacent to a weatherproof walk-in aisle. The overall design provides weather protection and good economy of space, but is limited in application flexibility and room for auxiliary equipment. Table 2: Comparison of PECs and NEMA 3R sheltered-aisle switchgear on page 9 provides a more detailed comparison of PEC construction and application as an alternative to NEMA 3R sheltered-aisle switchgear enclosures. Additionally, a PEC provides superior weather protection and can be insulated and air conditioned to protect sensitive electronic equipment. Sheltered-aisle switchgear is limited to the type of nonswitchgear equipment that can be housed in the enclosure.

PEC and high-voltage switchgear Through the use of SF6 gas-insulated switchgear, a PEC can also be used for housing primary (transmission and substation) switchgear. A double-feed station, or H configuration can be housed in a single PEC. This configuration provides enormous space savings, higher reliability and less maintenance than a typical air-insulated substation. All the advantages of a PEC (single-point engineering, procurement, fabrication and testing) are applicable to highvoltage switchgear. In combination with a secondary switchgear PEC, an entire substation could consist of two PECs and transformers. Special applications PECs can be designed for high-wind loading (up to 150 mi/h), seismic zone 4 applications and high-snow loading. Fireproofing can be installed on exterior walls to protect switchgear from transformer failures. Special exterior finishes can be provided to better integrate a PEC with the surrounding environment. To eliminate additional facilities, options such as offices, battery rooms, bathrooms or maintenance rooms, can be added within a PEC. 7

Table 1: Comparison of PECs and conventional site-built enclosures

Feature
Major electrical equipment Sourcing Design engineering Construction Foundation Base Access Internal wiring Main bus Bus duct from transformers Grounding system External connections Testing Changes

PEC
Same Manufacturer responsible for all equipment inside the PEC Complete package designed and engineered by manufacturer Variety of materials, depending on application environment and structural requirements including galvanized steel, stainless steel and aluminum Minimum foundation (for example, curb or pier type) Self-supporting; allowing all equipment to be factory leveled before shipment Can be provided with hinged switchgear doors in rear for access to terminations (rear aisle inside PEC not required) Factory wired complete with wiring schematics Coordinated by manufacturer Checked for ease of assembly Integral to PEC Easily adaptable to overhead or underground conduit systems PEC is factory tested; customer can complete many pre-energization tests before installation. Witness testing can be performed at one location. Changes can be made after functional testing and inspection in a controlled factory environment

Conventional site-built construction

Same Separate solicitation, analysis (and often) sourcing of switchgear, building, battery systems, bus duct, etc. Purchaser must design and engineer Typically concrete block Requires full slab foundation with relatively large stem walls and footings Purchaser provides channel base and grouting for leveling all equipment Must be 25 percent to 40 percent larger than an equivalent PEC to permit access to switchgear bus area and terminations Jobsite interconnection of control wiring in addition to major equipment Purchaser coordinates the match up of main buses for different types of equipment Purchaser coordinates and assembles bus to switchgear in field for first time Must be planned and built into foundation Slab floor mandates detailed and exact conduit location; changes are difficult Each type of equipment is tested at different factories. Witness testing requires more time and travel. Requires coordination among various trades, often after initial construction is complete Purchaser must provide for receiving and storing of material and equipment at different times by different suppliers. Often this involves redundant handling for storage, truck to intermediate locations and requires storage to protect from weather, pilferage and other loss. Requires multiple crafts (for example, carpenters, ironworkers, cement finishers, bricklayers, electricians - all with foremen and helpers) Space for expansion must be included in initial installation Treated as real estate improvement necessitating higher tax schedule, permits, progress inspections, bonding and insurance1

Receiving, handling and storage

Arrives ready for installation or secure storage with minimal preparation

Installation Expansion Commercial

Involves minimum number of crafts Modular construction results in convenient expandability as system grows Typically taxed same as weatherproof equipment1

Footnotes:
1.

This is an illustration and does not constitute  tax or legal advice. Please contact a qualified tax consultant to confirm tax treatment of a PEC in your area.

Table 2: Comparison of PECs and NEMA 3R sheltered-aisle switchgear

Feature
Major electrical equipment Sourcing Design engineering Construction Foundation Base Internal wiring Main bus interconnections External connections

PEC
Same Manufacturer responsible for all equipment inside the PEC and PEC can accommodate various types of electrical equipment Complete package designed and engineered by manufacturer Variety of materials, depending on application environment and structural requirements Minimum foundation (for example, curb or pier type) Self-supporting; allowing all equipment to be factory leveled before shipment Factory wired complete with wiring schematics Coordinated by manufacturer Easily adaptable to overhead or underground conduit systems PEC is factory tested; customer can complete many pre-energization tests before installation. Witness testing can be performed at one location. Arrives ready for installation or secure storage with minimal preparation

Shelter-aisle switchgear
Same Separate enclosure must be sourced for each type of electrical equipment Purchaser must design and engineer Typically manufacturers standard steel construction, paint and finish Same Purchaser provides level foundation or piers and grouting for leveling all equipment Jobsite interconnection of control wiring in addition to major equipment Purchaser completes in field at every shipping section Slab foundations require exact conduit location making changes difficult. Not suitable for overhead tray installations. All field reconnections require retesting by field personnel Purchaser must provide for receiving and storing of multiple pieces requiring re-assembly. Often involves redundant handling for storage, trucking to intermediate locations, and protection during storage from pilferage, other loss or lost time due to weather. NEMA 3R construction must be field assembled or connected to shipping groups

Testing

Receiving, handling and storage

Installation

Involves minimum number of crafts

Figure 9: PEC dimensions

Shipping limited based on combination of: Length Transom Width Height 15 (4.6 m) Destination. Dimensions in feet (meters). Larger sizes available. Consult factory.

24 (7.3 m)

4080 Door 12.7 (3.9 m)

HVAC

75 (22.9 m)
9

Figure 10: Type Siemens crimp plate (SCP)

The solution

A key advantage of the PEC is the flexibility to provide a variety of equipment (switchgear, relay panels, RTU, supervisory control and battery systems, data logging, event recorders, etc.) installed and interconnected in the same enclosure.

Summary A PEC provides the end user with a selfcontained, pre-engineered, prefabricated solution to enclosing various forms of equipment, such as switchgear, auxiliary electrical equipment, instrument/control panels, DCS systems, heat trace panels and UPS systems. Of particular significance is: The ability to provide rugged, reliable enclosure construction in accordance with established standards The ability to acquire the complete outdoor electric/instrument equipment package from a single supplier with design and engineering responsibility The ability to provide complete predelivery interconnection and testing, to include switchgear control wiring, lighting transformers, power panels, lighting panels, lighting fixtures, receptacles, exterior lighting, batteries and chargers.

Modular construction from interlocking materials contributes to flexibility as well as cost effectiveness. PECs are designed to reduce engineering, procurement and field costs as compared to other enclosure technologies, without decreasing reliability, maintainability or performance. Siemens provides a single-source solution for PEC and electrical equipment requirements. No other PEC manufacturer has the range of products and application experience that Siemens can deliver.

10

Figure 11: Sketch area

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Published by and copyright 2011: Siemens AG Energy Sector Freyeslebenstrasse 1 91058 Erlangen, Germany Siemens Energy, Inc. 6510 Bourgeois Road Houston, TX 77066-3111, USA For more information, please contact: Phone: +1 (281) 444-1200 Toll-free: +1 (800) 347-6659 www.usa.siemens.com/energy Order No. E50001-F710-A394-X-4A00 Printed in USA TB 2494T BR 0911.2
All rights reserved. Trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates, or their respective owners. Subject to change without prior notice. The information in this document contains general descriptions of the technical options available, which may not apply in all cases. The required technical options should therefore be specified in the contract.

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