Application Story

Moeller Supplies Student Power in Cardiff!

[montage of PCC4000 with students] Low-voltage electrical distribution equipment from Moeller Electric has been chosen for use in one of the tallest buildings in Wales, Ty Pont Haearn.

The new 21-storey purpose built student accommodation development in Cardiff Owned and managed by UNITE, the UK’s leading student accommodation and hospitality company will be home to some 750 students studying in the city.

The electrical equipment for this project was specified and installed by the M&E contractor, MITIE Engineering Services (Cardiff) who were working for Carillion Building the main contractor on the project.

Moeller equipment performs all distribution and protection functions within the new building. The main supplies enter via a Moeller PCC4000 distribution switchboard which is equipped with two 1,600A incoming circuit-breakers.

This modular switchboard is a fully type-tested assembly with Form 4, Type 2 separation in line with the requirements of BS EN 60439-1, and it has a fault rating of 50kA for one second. The highest levels of operational safety under all conditions are, therefore, guaranteed.

The outgoing circuits of the switchboard provide feeds, via the building’s main riser systems, to 21 Moeller Electric Mini Panel Boards, one of which is installed on each floor. These boards, which are 250A three-phase types, were a particularly attractive choice for this project, as their small dimensions allow them to be accommodated within the riser cupboards, thereby saving space and eliminating the need to mount equipment in more visible locations.

The Mini Panel Boards supply Moeller Electric Type A MCB distribution boards, one of which is installed in each student flat. Specially customised by Moeller, these distribution boards incorporate the landlord’s supply metering system, as well as a combination of RCBOs and MCBs to provide dependable and tamperproof protection for all circuits within the room.

Moeller Electric distribution equipment was chosen for this prestigious project on the basis of value for money, its reputation for quality, and because Moeller could provide all of the major items required. Another important factor was Moeller’s willingness to adapt standard equipment to suit the project’s special needs.

Finally, Moeller provided assistance from the earliest stages of the project, ensuring the development of a technically attractive concept, and a safe, efficient final design.

“Moeller and its equipment has easily met all of our requirements,” said Mike Parry Director of MITIE Engineering Services (Cardiff). “Deliveries were always on time, and the equipment was easy to install. Despite its compact construction, which was an important benefit, there’s plenty of room for wiring.”

“Commissioning was also straightforward,” he continued, “and on the few occasions we did need support from Moeller, it was always readily available. Moeller equipment was, without doubt, the best possible choice for this project.”

MITIE are currently working on the Design for another Unite student accommodation building at Bond Street in Bristol for Carillion Building, where they are proposing to use Moeller Distribution as part of the installation.

This page last updated: 18 May 2007