Application Story

Innovative Panel Slashes Cost and Installation Time

[picture Mini Panel Board] Shrewsbury-based contractor, Fisher Electrical Ltd, has recently installed the innovative new Mini Panel Board, from Moeller Electric. Alcotrol Laboratories Ltd’s new laboratory in Langley, Berkshire, was equipped with the board ahead of time and at a cost considerably less than that of any other competitive solution, thanks to its unique design.

The Mini Panel Board feeds power for laboratory equipment such as ovens, analytical equipment and fans situated in a 3,000ft² lab, spread over two floors. It is configured for a 250A, 3-phase incomer, metering and outgoing four 100A 3-phase, as well as single 60A and 10A sub mains.

Richard Fisher of Fisher Electrical, said: "We needed a panel board capable of delivering 100A outgoing supply. The Mini Panel is the only MCB Board on the market to satisfy this requirement with a range of MCBs from 20A right up to 125A – competing boards stop at 63A. The alternative to the Mini Panel Board was to use two boards, an MCB board for light and a considerably larger moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) board for the heavy-duty applications. In selecting the Mini Panel Board we halved the expense, installation time and space used compared to the twin-board approach."

Designed with a wide choice of incoming and outgoing devices together with accessories, the flexible Mini Panel Board can be specified to match precisely customer requirements. Moeller's comprehensive range of circuit protection and power distribution products include everything from consumer units, MCB distribution boards, the Mini Panel Board through to MCCB panel boards, as well as busbar trunking.

The outgoing MCB devices are available in three variants, with Type B, C and D tripping characteristics. The breaking capacities of the circuit breakers cover from 15 to 25kA and are available in 1-, 2- or 3-pole configurations. Pan assemblies come with a choice of 4, 8, 12 or 16 outgoing ways. Gland plates come with or without knockouts to facilitate cable entry.

Incoming devices are available as either an MCCB or as a main switch, with the incoming circuit breakers offering current ratings from 200 to 400A. Steel enclosures (1.5mm thick) for the Mini Panel Boards are available in two modular sizes – 960 x 610 x 180mm and 1290 x 610 x 180mm.

Fisher added: "From placing the order with CEF, Shrewsbury, to completing the installation took less than three days, with building the board being just a matter of clipping in the MCBs. We saved a day's labour compared to building and installing a standard MCCB panel board, let alone one with various bells and whistles on it. Additionally, with a range up to 125A the Mini Panel Board provides future proofing – if a requirement is needed to supply a new piece of equipment rated at 125A, just clip in the MCB and away you go. The existing board can cover this without the considerable expense of upgrading to a new MCCB board."

This page last updated: 17 February 2004