Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=RHVassju50c

High rise building Power Supply Requirements

1. General lighting and Power

Lights for general illumination, seeing tasks, decorative features, hallways and stairways,
others.
2. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
Air conditioning for temperature control
Blowers and fans for ventilation
Heaters for humidity control

3. Transport System
Elevators, escalators
Conveyors, dumbwaiters, others

4. Water pumps
Portable and non-portable water supply
Water sprinkle (fire suppression)
Pump / drainage
Sewage ejectors

5. Communication systems
PABX telephone system
Intercom

6. Automatic doors
Entrance and exit for pedestrians
Garage & freight

7. Central computer system

CPU and peripherals
Terminals

8. Auxiliaries
Intrusion and hold-up control system (Access control system)
Fire suppression and alarm system
Background music and paging
PA system and CCTV
Noise masking and acoustics, others

All these systems may be connected to the building automation system.

High Rise Building System Components

A high riser building system is composed of hundreds of components, designed and assembled into a
safe, functional power-delivery system. The picture below shows a typical building electrical system
riser diagram, where the buildings electrical system is connected to the utility system. Here it is a
pad-mounted transformer, but in other cases it might be a bank of transformers mounted overhead
on a utility pole (for a demand less than 1,000 kVA).

The underground service connects the utility system to building’s Main Distribution Panel (MDP).
Main building over current device, or main disconnect as well as individual overcurrent devices for
the system components connected to the MDP. The MDP may also contain provisions for utility
metering, as well as instrumentation for the measurement of system voltage and current.

The main disconnect device can be either a circuit breaker or a fused switch. This main device often
contains special circuitry for sensing low level faults (ex: ground faults for more than 1,000 Amp
main), which otherwise might escape detection. The MDP might be thought of as the electrical nerve
center of the building. It is normally located near building exterior wall and as close as possible to the
utility transformer to minimize the cost of main service feeders. Thus, all components of the system
must be chosen carefully based on design requirements and must function safely, under normal
operating conditions and also under abnormal conditions, such as short circuit.
3.0 Power Supply System

The franchise utility power company serves at nominal level of 230/115-volt, single or three-phase,
two-, three or four wires depending on the type of load and as long as it does not exceed 1,000 kVA.
For extremely large service entrance current, multiple protective/disconnect devices not exceeding
six (6) may be connected in parallel for the service entrance (as stated by P. E. C).

For establishment of greater than 1,000 kVA load, as most commercial and industrial consumers, the
power company requires a load center unit sub-station and serves power at primary line distribution
level of 13.8 or 34.k Volts or whatever potential level available in the vicinity.

The size of the load center depends on the proposed connected load and allowances for future
growth of the establishment; its configuration, on the other hand, depends on the requirements and
available facilities of the utility company.

The major components of the load center are:

1.) High-voltage switchgear; primary side

2.) Power transformer section
3.) Low voltage switchgear; secondary side
4.) Metering equipment

3.1 – Utilizing Voltage

Usually in large installations with private load centres, the practice is to use 208/120-Volt for general
lighting and power, and 460-volts for motors. This appears to be the more economical and practical
arrangements. (check what are the voltages in Australia)

Three-phase electric motors are normally dual-voltage, i.e. 460/230 volts and using the higher 460V
rating will result in half-as-much ampere draw, hence small wires, lower circuit breaker rating
(although higher voltage) and smaller starter unit.

For lighting and appliances, 460 V line can likewise be used but availability of fixtures for such
potential may not be easily procured, i.e. 265-V ballasts for fluorescent and convenience outlet with
built-in unit transformers of 50 to 100 VA, 460-230/115-V ratings.

For total load of 1,000 kVA or less, the power supply is 208/120-V or 230/115-V only. In some cases,
and for temporary construction power, the power company would serve 460-V for use of
construction equipment, subject to their requirements, rules and regulations.

3.2 – Configuring on Load Centers

Should the customer enterprise be required to provide its own load center unit substation, several
options are available, against subject to approval of the power utility company.
OPTION -1: High-Voltage supply line from power company transformed to utilization voltage of
208/120-V for general lighting and power, and 460-V for motors using two separate power
transformers as shown in below figure.

OPTION 2 – High -voltage supply line from power company transformed to 460-V; general lighting
and power fed by the 460-V line through a unit dry type transformer, 460-208 / 120-V, as shown in
below figure.

(My notes: Here the primary, secondary mains are disconnecting mains).
OPTION 3 – Similar to Option -2 “except” several units of smaller units of smaller dry-type
transformers are distributed in the areas or floors for general lighting and power system; these
unit transformers are fed by 460-V line or lines from load center as shown in below figure.

Any of these configurations will serve the purpose of transforming the incoming high-voltage line
from the utility company to acceptable utilization equipment level. The final choice of the desired
system is normally dictated by costs and equipment availability. Power transformers are either dry-
type or oil-immersed.

The common disadvantage of all of the above load center configurations is its inflexibility. In cases of
breakdown of any of the main components, i.e. high or low-voltage switchgear mains, or the
transformer itself will result in total system shut-down.

3.3 – Load Center Flexibility & Reliability

While a “fail-safe” system could not be adopted due to its prohibitive cost, still some degree of
flexibility and reliability of the system can be reasonably reached.

The load center can be split into two (2) equal or identical units to serve the likewise equally, as far as
practicable, divided electrical loads. In cases of failure of any of the major components of either unit,
the remaining half is still operational. System selectivity can be attained, either on the primary or
secondary sides or both, by using “tie-breaker”. Properly coordinated interlocking system should be
provided between the tie and main breakers to prevent accidents.

The load centers described in the proceeding paragraph will be served on two (2) separate ends and
thus termed “double-ended” unit. Customarily, the power company serves this type of load center
from two (2) separate distribution feeded lines to further enhance the system’s selectivity. Below
figure shows the one line diagram of a typical “double-ended” system as adopted from Option 3. The
same can be done for both Option 1 and 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hper2UctURw