Main Switchboard & Air Conditioning Power Retrofit

Our 1st Call Electrical team was lucky enough to be contacted by a 146 bedroom nursing home in South Melbourne requiring a complex retrofit installation. Following the failure of the current air conditioning systems, the client needed an alteration to the existing power supply arrangement so they could deliver more power to the air conditioning units on the roof and in the basement.

This was no easy feat, especially considering having to manoeuvre in a pre-built environment and a fully operational nursing home! Our mission was to complete the job with as little disruption as possible - and to do so safely, environmentally consciously, and at the lowest possible cost for the client.

Upon reviewing the plans sent through by the engineer, we realised we could save the client nearly $100k by rerouting and extending the existing consumer mains cabling instead of supplying and installing all new gear. Not only is this a big money save, it reduces unnecessary waste entering landfill.

This also reduced cutover time to an absolute minimum, meaning we only had to turn off power to the home for a total of 2 hours. We coordinated with the client to achieve minimal disruption to day-to-day operations - we maintained light and power to the building with a backup generator at all other times, so no work was disrupted and no residents had to be moved.

Other highlights of the install: We installed 2 tonnes of cabling all the way through the existing building - from the basement to the roof of the fourth floor - to a new roof-mounted mechanical services switchboard. And thanks to careful planning and our detail-oriented team, we did it smoothly and without disruption.

We then installed a new main switchboard (630-amp, which we designed to come in two pieces so we could fit it through the door), using the old-school technique of rolling steel bars to position it into its final location. On the cutover day, it was all hands on deck to re-direct the existing consumer mains and extend the emergency services cabling to the new main switchboard, and re-feed the old main switchboard from the new main board. No problem.

No matter how big or small the job, 1st Call Electrical has your electrical needs covered. Call our expert electrician team today on 1300 016 671

Main Switchboard Delivery, Unpacking and Positioning