SECTION 16900

LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHBOARDS

PART 1 – GENERAL

1.1 Description

a. Provide low voltage switchboards in accordance with the Contract Documents.

1.2 Standards

a. Low voltage switchboards:

1. PS
2. PEC 2009 (Part 1 and 2)
3. IEC
4. NEMA
5. UL
6. ANSI

b. Overcurrent Protection Devices:

1. PS
2. IEC
3. NEMA
4. UL
1.3 Submittals

a. Manufacturer’s product data sheets for overcurrent protection devices.

b. Dimensioned layout and elevation drawings showing low voltage switchboards,

housekeeping pads, and support locations and types.

c. One line diagram showing electrical ratings, overcurrent protection device ratings,
cable lugs, metering displays, identification nameplate.

d. Wiring diagrams.

e. Installation instructions.

f. Certified test reports.

g. Seismic restraint calculations.

1.4 Field Testing

a. Field inspection and testing shall occur after installation is complete, feeders are
terminated, and the room is secure. Testing shall be conducted not more than 4
weeks before equipment is energized.

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 b. Testing Scope:
1. Visual and physical inspection of equipment.
2. Check control wiring and metering.
3. Meter calibration.
4. Ground fault protection.
5. Adjust circuit breaker settings based on recommendations in the short circuit
and coordination study.
6. Primary current injection testing of circuit breakers.
7. System grounding.

c. Certified Test Reports:

1. Field testing shall be performed by an independent third party testing agency.

2. Verify that the installation is in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
3. Verify that the equipment has been certified as TESTED and is operational.
4. Perform testing and compile detailed test reports for each switchboard and
overcurrent protection device.

1.5 Identification

a. Provide an identification nameplate for each switchboard, each main, and each
feeder overcurrent protection device.

1.6 Short Circuit and Coordination Study

a. Prepare a short circuit and coordination study based on the actual overcurrent
protection devices proposed for use. Provide overcurrent protective devices of
suitable type and rating to meet or exceed the available short circuit currents
indicated in the short circuit study. The study shall be prepared by a locally
registered electrical engineer.

b. The study shall be submitted with the distribution equipment submittal and shall
indicate where device substitutions are being made in order to achieve adequate
interrupting capacity ratings for each piece of equipment.

c. The study shall include recommended settings of adjustable overcurrent and ground
fault settings.

d. The study shall indicate the current limiting effect of fuses and series rated current
limiting circuit breakers. Submit evidence of UL series ratings of overcurrent
protection devices.

PART 2 – PRODUCTS

2.1 Acceptable Manufacturers/fabricator

a. Circuit Breaker Manufacturer:

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 1.The switchgear fabricator must be a certified fabricator of the above acceptance
manufacturers with minimum 15 years’ experience in the field.

2.2 General

a. The Low Voltage Switchboard shall be certified & TESTED by the manufacturer.
b. Low voltage switchboards shall be of the ratings and configurations shown on the
Drawings.

c. Low voltage switchboards and overcurrent protection devices shall have a minimum
short circuit rating as specified herein or greater where indicated on the Drawings.

d. Low voltage switchboards:

1. Low voltage switchboards are identified with the prefix LVSG as shown
on the Drawings.
2. Maximum allowable physical dimensions: 800 mm wide by 1000 mm
deep per section.
3. Low voltage switchboards: Main bus shall withstand a prospective fault
level as indicated in the drawings at 400 volts, 3 phase (RMS
Symmetrical) for 1 second in accordance with the test procedures laid
down in the relevant NEMA/ANSI or IEC Standards.

2.3 Construction

a. Low voltage switchboards shall be NEMA 4 free standing metal enclosed, tamper
proof, front and rear accessible, with individually mounted main and feeder
overcurrent protection devices of the number, rating, and arrangement as shown on
the Drawings. Vertical sections shall be aligned front and rear.

b. Low voltage switchboards shall be completely self-supporting structures of the

required number of vertical sections bolted together to form a single metal enclosed
switchboard. Sides and top covers shall be code gauge steel, bolted to the
switchboard structure. Front and rear doors should be hinged. The frame structure
members shall be die-formed, 12-gauge steel bolted together and reinforced at
corners with rugged gussets internal and external to the switchboard members.

c. The Low Voltage Switchboard shall have a full height and depth fire retardant and
non-hygroscopic barriers, from top to bottom and from front to rear to contain faults
and to minimize the passage of ionized gases between vertical Sections.

d. Low voltage switchboards shall be provided with adequate lifting means and be
capable of being rolled or moved into position and bolted directly to the floor without
the use of floor sills.

e. Steel surfaces shall be chemically cleaned and treated, providing a bond between
paint and metal surfaces to prevent the entrance of moisture and formation of rust
under the paint finish. Finish shall be ANSI-61 grey enamel paint.

f. Space for future devices shall include all necessary bus, overcurrent protection
device supports and mounting, and connections.

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 g. Where required for conduit terminations, provide pull box on top of switchboard of
same type of construction and finish as the switchboard.

h. Provide entry provisions for incoming LV Busduct if required.

i. Cables shall be supported within the Switchboard so that stress is not imposed on
termination.

2.4 Bus System

a. Bus bars shall be arranged throughout A-B-C left to right, top to bottom, and front to rear.
Bus bars shall be permanently labeled by phase. Bus joints shall be bolted with high
tensile steel bolts with spring loaded Belleville type washers.

b. Bus bars shall be 98% conductivity silver plated copper sized at not more than 1000
amperes per square inch. Bus bars shall be of the ampere rating (continuous) shown on
the Drawings.

c. Horizontal bus shall be full size, tapered bus is not permitted. Provide bolt holes drilled
and tapped for future extension at the end of bus bars including neutral and ground bus
so that the addition of a future section would require only the installation of standard
bolted splice plates.

2.5 Main Protective Devices and Bus Tie Unit

Air Circuit Breakers (ACB), shall be individually mounted manufactured and tested in
accordance with applicable IEC/NEMA/ANSI standards.

a. ACB shall be 4-pole or 3-pole and having fault interrupting rating of 80 kA at 400 volt,
60 HZ. ACB shall be UL listed for continues operation at 100% rated load and
electrically operated, draw-out type and shall operate as follows:

1. Close – Stored energy spring, manual release to close.

2. Open – Auto protection trip, or manual trip. Trip free operation shall be
provided.

b. Air circuit breakers shall be provided with the following:

1.Positive mechanically driven visual indicating devices to indicate whether the

breakers are open or closed and whether they are in the “service”, “test”, or
“isolated” positions.

2.A set of shutters shall be provided for automatic shielding of stationary main
contacts in the breaker in the isolated position. Each set shall be capable of
being individually operated and padlock closed.

3. Bus bar shutters shall be painted “Red” and shall be clearly labeled
“Busbars” in large white letters. Circuit shutters shall be painted “Yellow” and
clearly “circuit” in large white letters.

4. Auxiliary switches for remote indication of breaker OPEN/CLOSED/TRIPPED

Status

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 c. Microelectronic digital processor based true RMS trip unit with interchangeable rating
plugs to change the continuous current rating. Provide a hand held, portable plug in
test kit for testing and verifying programmer settings. Provide the following functions:

d. Current setting: adjustable.

1. Long time pick-up: adjustable
2. Long-time delay adjustable.
3. Short-time pick-up adjustable.
4. Short-time delay adjustable.
5. Instantaneous pick-up adjustable.

e. Ground-fault pick-up adjustable.

1. Ground-fault delay adjustable.
2. I2t-In-Out-adjustable.
3. Trip indication targets; overload, short circuit and ground fault
4. Zone selective interlock for ground fault and short time

f. Ground fault protection shall be provided on all service disconnect switches rated 1000
amperes or more as required by the local electrical code. The ground fault protection
shall consist of the following:

1. Current Monitor: The current monitor shall consist of a zero-sequence current

transformer which shall enclose all current carrying conductors, including the
neutral conductor if used, of the circuit being protected.

2. Ground Fault Sensor: The ground fault sensor shall continuously sense the
output of the current monitor. Should the sensor detect a ground current in
excess of the pick-up setting for a duration exceeding the time delay, the sensor
shall shunt-trip the appropriate device. The sensor shall have an adjustable pick-
up of 100 to 1200 amperes and an adjustable time delay from 0 to 60 cycles.

3. Test Panels: Each ground fault sensor shall be provided with a test panel which
shall completely test the ground fault system. The test panel shall indicate that a
ground fault was sensed or test the system with or without tripping the switch or
circuit breaker. The test panel shall be installed in the front of the switchboard
adjacent to the device being protected.

4. Shunt-Trip: Each device with ground fault protection shall be provided with a
shunt-trip which shall automatically open the device when signaled by the sensor.

5. Provide fuse protected control power transformer from the switchboard line side
for the ground fault system. Ground fault and shunt-trip device shall be capable
of operation at 55% of rated voltage.

6. Set each ground fault sensor pick up setting at 25 percent of the rating of over-
current device with a 6-cycle time delay unless specifically indicated otherwise in
the accepted short circuit and coordination study.

g. OTHER STANDARD FEATURES

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 1. The circuit breaker truck must be lock in service position before the circuit breaker
shall be operated and the circuit breaker truck can only be released if the circuit
breaker is open.

2. No access shall be possible to ACB in the “open”, “test”, and “isolated” positions.

3. Main current connections shall be self-aligning silver-plated copper contacts.

4. Main contact arching contacts shall be rated and protected to the fault current level
of the circuit breaker.

5. Circuit breakers shall have at least nine auxiliary contacts in any combination of
normally open, normally closed and changeover.

6. Auxiliary contacts shall be self-cleaning; silver-plated and shall be available for 500
volts AC and 110 volts DC.

7. Circuit breakers shall be suitable for mechanical and key interlocking.

8. Circuit breakers shall have manual local and remote operating facilities.

2.6 Metering Display/BMS Interface Unit

a. Provide an electronic digital true RMS sensing metering display for each main
switchboard main circuit breaker. The display shall indicate voltage (each phase to
each phase and each phase to neutral, amps (each phase), watts, vars, power
factor, frequency, watt demand, and watt hours. Display shall be positioned not
lower than 1.2 meters or higher than 1.8 meters above the finished floor. Each
metering display shall be compatible for accepting or sending output/input signals
from the Building Management System.

b. Provide a remote terminal unit (RTU) in each Switchboard. All digital and analog
input/output signal wiring to all solid-state protection and metering devices at circuit
breakers shall be terminated at the RTU. The terminals at RTU shall be labeled for
field connections to the BMS system.

c. Metering and circuits shall be supplied and installed in accordance with ANSI Cl2.4,
Cl2.10, ANSI C39.1, and ANSI C57.13 and the following requirements. In addition to
the items listed below, the terminals for connection of portable check metering shall
be provided. These terminals shall be clearly labeled and cross referenced to the
circuits to which they are connected.

d. Kilowatt-hour and Maximum Demand meters

1. Suitable for 3 phase, 4 wire, unbalanced load shall be installed to record the
energy consumption and complete with pulse initiator.
2. Flush mounted, with black bezels and digital type read-outs.
3. Arranged for connection to 5 ampere current transformer secondary.
4. Maximum Demand meters shall be installed adjacent to all Kilowatt-hour
meters in the respective main switchboards.

e. Voltmeters and Ammeters

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 1. Fitted with taut band suspensions
2. Arranged for connection to 5 amperes current transformer secondary.
3. Scale shall be minimum 260 degrees.

f. Power factor Meter

1. Arranged for connection to 5 ampere current transformer secondary.

2. Suitable for 3-phase, 4 wire circuits
3. Accuracy shall be +/- 0.01

g. Control and Metering Switches

1. Shall be of the rotary pattern, panel mounted and shall be lockable in

positions.
2. Shall be double break type and rated at a minimum of 10 amps inductive.
The contact arrangement shall suit the application of the switch.
3. Voltmeter selector switch shall be installed to indicate phase to phase and
phase to neutral voltages of incoming supplies.
4. Ammeter selector switch shall be installed to indicate phase amperes of
incoming supplies.

h. Potential Transformer

1. Control Transformer shall comply with the requirements of applicable NEMA/ANSI

standard for non-short-circuit proof transformers.
2. Metal screen between primary and secondary windings shall be provided.
3. One side of the secondary winding and the metal screen shall be solidly
grounded.
4. Complete with one fuse in the primary winding.

i. Current Transformer
1. Shall comply fully with the requirements of ANSI57.13 and shall be of adequate
burden and class for the duty.
2. Shall have 5 amperes secondary.
3. Shall withstand safely the mechanical and thermal stresses of its associated
ACB.
4. The polarity of windings shall be marked with approved labels.
5. Current transformers shall be connected to equipment via test links.
6. Accuracy shall be as listed in table B of ANSI C37.20

2.7 Control and Indicating Devices

a. Push Buttons

1. Shall be oil tight pattern, heavy duty, and rated at a minimum of 10 amps
inductive.
2. Consist of an actuating button assembly coupled to an interchangeable contact
assembly of sufficient poles to suit the application.
3. Color codes shall be:

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 i. “Close” or “On” - Green
ii. “Open” or “Off” - Red
iii. “Reset” - Black

4. Push button bezels shall be black.

b. Indication Lights

1. Shall be of the domed glass or plastic lens type employing connected neon lamps
rated at 6 watts. The indication must be clearly visible from the sides or front at a
distance of 15 meters in a normally illuminated room.
2. Indication lights shall have black bezels.
3. The bodies shall be ventilated to ensure efficient heat dissipation. Connection to
lights shall be by screw to clamp terminals. Soldered termination is unacceptable.
4. Color Codes shall be:

i. De-energized - Green
ii. Energized - Red
iii. Abnormal condition - Amber
iv. Other functions - Blue or White

c. Relays

1. Protection Relays shall comply with the following:

i. Operate from 5 ampere secondary current transformers.

ii. Draw-out type contained in dust proof flush mounted metal cases arranged
so that on opening the cases it shall be impossible for any dust which may
have collected in or on the cases to fall on the relay mechanism.
iii. All cases shall be grounded.
iv. Provided with approved trip flag indicators, which can be mechanically reset
from outside the case.
v. Provided with at least two separate pairs of independent contacts.
vi. Relay contacts shall be of silver, platinum or other approved material.

2. Auxiliary Relays

i. Shall be plug-in-type with minimum of 6 contacts rated at 5 amps minimum

for an inductive load.
ii. Shall close satisfactorily at 80% nominal volts and hold in satisfactorily at
65% nominal volts.
iii. Auxiliary relay contacts shall be capable of carrying and breaking without
damage, the inrush and operating current of circuits they are switching. The
contact arrangement must be easily alterable.

3. Timing Relays and Timers

i. Shall be plug-in type and of the same manufacture as auxiliary relays.

ii. Timing relays shall operate under the same condition as auxiliary relays
shall have contacts rated at a minimum of 5 amps inductive load.

4. Time Switches

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 i. Time switches shall be solid state programmable for a minimum of 7 days, 4
switching periods per day and provided with manual override switches.
ii. The switching periods shall be adjustable with a minimum setting period of
30 minutes.
iii. Time switches shall be provided with a rechargeable battery back up of
minimum 24 hours reserve to maintain accurate operation during power
outages.
iv. Contacts with a minimum of 15 amp. Resistive, 10 amp inductive at
v. 0.7 p.f., 230 volt A.C shall be provided.

d. Control Wiring shall have the following:

1. Conductors running within the bus bar chambers shall be double insulated.
2. All control wiring shall be color coded and marked at both ends, indicating the
device or equipment, including specific terminal number to which the remote
end of the wire is attached.

 Factory-installed wiring. Use white plastic tubing, heat stamped with

black block type letters.

 Field-installed wiring. Use white preprinted polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

sleeves, heat stamped with black block type letters.

3. The sleeves shall be unaffected by oil or damp.

4. Control wiring shall be run separately from power circuit wiring..
5. Control wiring shall be supported on approved wiring cleats and may run in
insulated duct as per manufacturer’s standard. Wire ties shall be used
throughout.
6. Fuses and links shall be provided for the protection of all control circuits and for
isolation from the busbars or bus wires. It shall be possible to work on control
wiring for test and maintenance purposes without making a switchboard “dead”.
7. Each wire shall be separately terminated with tinned insulated crimped lugs of
approved type suitable for the terminal and wire used. Only one wire shall be
connected to each terminal of insertion or tunnel type blocks.
8. An allowance shall be made on the length of each wire at the point of
connection to a terminal for the remaking of the termination at least once
without the need to disturb the main run of the wire.

9. The terminal blocks shall be adequately rated for the duty and shall have 20%
spare capacity for future use.

10. Terminal blocks of the insertion or tunnel type shall incorporate captive pinching
screws and saw-toothed clamping plates with an inherent locking feature.

2.8 Anti-Condensation Heater

a. Anti-condensation heaters shall be provided with LVSB.

1. The heaters shall be suitable for operation on 230V 60H Z AC supply with
thermostat control and manual local ‘ON/OFF’ switch.

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 2.9 Distribution Section

a. Distribution section shall consist of individually mounted feeder breakers having

current transformers and AC ammeter with selector switch in each compartment,
arranged so that they may be removed and interchanged from the front of the LVSG
without disturbing the adjacent devices.

b. Where indicated “space for future” or “space” shall mean to include bus, devices
supports and connections.

c. The individually mounted device shall be isolated in its own compartment and shall
be positioned vertically with operating handles extending through the hinged front
cover.

d. Feeder Breaker shall have ground fault protection on rated 1000 amperes or more
as required by the local electrical code. The ground fault protection shall consist of
the following:

1. Current Monitor: The current monitor shall consist of a zero-sequence

current transformer which shall enclose all current carrying conductors,
including the neutral conductor if used, of the circuit being protected.
2. Ground Fault Sensor: The ground fault sensor shall continuously sense
the output of the current monitor. Should the sensor detect a ground
current in excess of the pick-up setting for a duration exceeding the time
delay, the sensor shall shunt-trip the appropriate device. The sensor shall
have an adjustable pick-up of 100 to 1200 amperes and an adjustable
time delay from 0 to 60 cycles.
3. Test Panels: Each ground fault sensor shall be provided with a test panel
which shall completely test the ground fault system. The test panel shall
indicate that a ground fault was sensed or test the system with or without
tripping the switch or circuit breaker. The test panel shall be installed in
the front of the switchboard adjacent to the device being protected.
4. Shunt-Trip: Each device with ground fault protection shall be provided
with a shunt-trip which shall automatically open the device when signaled
by the sensor.
5. Provide fuse protected control power transformer from the switchboard
line side for the ground fault system. Ground fault and shunt-trip device
shall be capable of operation at 55% of rated voltage.
6. Set each ground fault sensor pick up setting at 25 percent of the rating of
over-current device with a 6-cycle time delay unless specifically indicated
otherwise in the accepted short circuit and coordination study.

PART 3 – EXECUTION

3.1 General

a. Install low voltage switchboards when the area is free and clear of dust and debris.
Protect low voltage switchboards from dust and moisture. Do not utilize switchboard
for temporary lighting and power services.

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 b. Install low voltage switchboards on 10 cm high concrete housekeeping pads which
shall follow the contour of low voltage switchboards with 25 mm of overlap on all
sides.
c. Provide channel iron sills below each switchboard where the switchboard frame is
not suitable for use as a floor sill.
d. Provide floor mats manufactured from black corrugated rubber matting without
perforations for the front and rear of the switchboards. The mats shall be minimum
750mm wide, 12mm thick and are to extend at least 600mm beyond each LVSB.

32. Touch Up and Cleaning

a. Vacuum back boxes clean of debris after installation and wiring of feeder cables.
b. Repair and touch up paint damaged surfaces.

3.3 Field Quality Control

a. Inspect for physical damage, proper alignment, anchorage and grounding. Check
proper installation and tightness of connection of busbars, circuit breakers as well as
feeder terminations.

3.4 Interfacing

a. Provide all the necessary relays and wires in conduit for the interfacing of LVSG with
Genset Control Panel, Capacitor Bank and for BMS provision.

END OF SECTION

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