Outline Planning

From the initial design the outline planning process may be started. The delivery times of the various components should be determined. Also the works program for the installation together with the limitations, obviously you cannot install a switchboard unless there is a room to install it in, similarly cables to the switchboard cannot be terminated unless the switchboard has been installed. A delivery period is the time period that starts on the date that a supplier receives an order to the date that it is delivered to site. When agreeing contracts the delivery date and the manufacturing period must be clearly defined. It is a complete misconception to assume that the delivery period includes the time during which the contract is negotiated or the contractors proposals or drawings are approved.

For outline planning the following delivery periods may be assumed:-

For PES non-contestable works, that is works that may not be placed with anyone but the PES for the delivery of their service including any modifications to their network or equipment. It is not possible to give a definitive figure so the important thing is to include a line in the project program. For purposes of planning that figure may be assumed according to the voltage of the service required, at 132kV 150weeks, at 33kV 100weeks, 11kV 50weeks, at LV three phase 26weeks and for LV single phase 12weeks. It cannot be too strenuously emphasized that the PES contestable works delivery period is a pure guess it is there to include a line in the project program together with the predecessor and successor restraints and permits.

For PES contestable works, that is electricity supply infrastructure works that may be placed with either the PES or a PES approved supplier. This is most commonly the cable connection from the PES point of supply or points of supply to the consumer’s incomer or incomers. As with contestable works it is not possible to give a definitive figure so the important thing is to include a line in the project program. For purposes of planning that figure may be assumed according to the voltage of the service required, at 132kV 150weeks, at 33kV 100weeks, 11kV 50weeks, at LV three phase 26weeks and for LV single phase 12weeks. As with the contestable works the periods are purely guesses, the installation of a LV overhead cable to a domestic dwelling from a local pole may take a few days, digging up a main arterial road in the centre of London to install a high or medium voltage cable will not take a great deal of time the necessary paperwork to get permission to carry out the work will take a great deal of time. So as with the contestable works the important thing is to get a line in the program together with its predecessors and successors.

For the primary distribution system the equipment delivery periods that may be assumed are:-
For Indoor or outdoor switchboards at 132kV 150weeks, for 33kV 100weeks, for 11kV 16weeks and for low voltage switchboards 16weeks.
For system transformers where the voltage ratio is 132/11kV 150weeks and for 33/11kV 100weeks.
For distribution transformers with a voltage ratio of 11000/417V 16weeks.
For control panels including G59 panels and battery chargers 12weeks.
For control desks 20weeks.
For the emergency power off system 12weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables HV 26weeks, MV 12weeks, LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For standby generation the equipment delivery periods that may be assumed are:-
For generators 11kv greater than or equal to 2MVA 30weeks, 11kV less than 2MVA 20weeks and LV 16weeks.
For generator transformers 16weeks.
For control panels including synchronising panels 16weeks.
For battery starting systems 16weeks for air starting systems 26weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables MV 12weeks, LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For UPS systems the equipment delivery periods are:-
UPSs 10-250kVA 18weeks.
UPSs 251-500kVA 24weeks.
UPSs 501-1000kVA 28weeks.
For Isolating transformers 16weeks.
For UPS supply and outgoing switchboards 16weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For secondary distribution the equipment delivery periods are:-
For manufacturers standard MCCB switchboards 6weeks.
For bespoke ACB/MCCB switchboards 16weeks.
For manufacturers standard distribution boards 4weeks.
For bespoke distribution boards 16weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For final distribution the equipment delivery periods are:-
For manufacturers standard distribution boards 4weeks.
For bespoke distribution boards 16weeks.
For electrical wiring accessories 2-6weeks.
For containment unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For change-over systems the equipment delivery periods are:-
For simple bespoke open transition change-over units 0-250A 6weeks.
For simple bespoke open transition change-over units 251-1000A 12weeks.
For bespoke open/closed transition change-over units 0-500A 8weeks.
For bespoke open/closed transition change-over units 501-1250A 16weeks.
For bespoke open/closed transition change-over units 1251-6300A 20weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For power distribution units the equipment delivery periods are:-
For units with single supply without isolating transformer 0-630A 12weeks.
For units with single supply with isolating transformer and filters 0-630A 16weeks.
For units with dual supply with change-over without isolating transformers 0-630A 12weeks.
For units with dual supply with change-over with isolating transformers and filters 0-630A 16weeks.
For units with triple supply with change-over without isolating transformers 0-630A 12weeks.
For units with triple supply with change-over with isolating transformers and filters 0-630A 16weeks.

For life safety systems the equipment delivery periods that may be assumed are:-
For life safety generators 16weeks.
For control panels including synchronising panels 16weeks.
For battery starting systems 16weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For motor control centres and starters the equipment delivery periods are:-
For transformers 16weeks.
For MCCs with 6300A incomers 24weeks.
For MCCs with 3200-5000A incomers 20weeks.
For MCCs with 800-4000A incomers 16weeks.
For standalone starters 0-100A 8weeks.
For standalone starters 100-250A 10weeks.
For standalone starters 250-630A 12weeks.
For local control stations 10weeks.
For containment racking 4weeks, unistrut 1week, cable tray 2weeks, trunking 1week and conduit 1week.
For cables LV 4weeks and auxiliary 6weeks.

For primary distribution systems the installation periods are:-
For Indoor or outdoor switchboards at 132kV 10weeks, for 33kV 6weeks, for 11kV 3weeks and for low voltage switchboards 3weeks.
For system transformers where the voltage ratio is 132/11kV 6weeks and for 33/11kV 3weeks.
For distribution transformers with a voltage ratio of 11000/417V 1week.
For control panels including G59 panels and battery chargers 1week.
For control desks 2weeks.
For the emergency power off system 2weeks.
For containment racking 10 metres per man day, unistrut 25 metres per man day, cable tray 25 metres per man day, trunking 25 metres per man day and conduit 50 metres per man day.
For cables HV 50 metres per man day plus one joint/termination per day per man, MV 50 metres per man day plus two joints/terminations per man day, LV 100 metres per man day plus four joints/terminations per man day and auxiliary cables 100 metres per man day plus six joints/terminations per man day.

For SCADA systems
For Programming – 10weeks
For Cabling – 50metres per day

For building works
For Brick and blockwork – 7.5m² per day
For Concrete – 30 days (formwork, pour & cure)
For Glazing - 6weeks
For Doors - 6weeks

Install times (generally)
Cable Installation – in air - HV & LV cables - 10metres per man day: Control cable 20metres per man day
Conduit & trunking Installation – 20metres per man day
For wiring accessories second fixing - 15 accessories per man day