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Delivering Switchgear Containers for HS2 Project

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The Customer

CEMA Ltd was founded in 1987 and is now one of the leading electrical engineering companies in the UK, supplying and installing the highest quality and most advanced process and plant control systems.

The Challenge 

To assist rapid re-development of a water abstraction and treatment site necessitated by the HS2 project, CEMA were asked to supply and deliver circa 25M between two Motor Control Centres in separate, re-purposed shipping containers, which they worked with the S Jones Conversions team to provide.

As a consequence of the pandemic, it was agreed to complete all of the build and MCC installation off-site to both minimise travelling and exposure, as well as limiting personnel risk by performing the majority of the work in a controlled environment.

The Solution

Special attention and customised designs were employed to provide non-standard height product capable of being installed in the reduced space available. Certified designs of the busbar systems had to be maintained and incorporated, together with customised design and build of a Power Quality Filter system within the space limitations.

Special measures for environmental monitoring and control within the containers were necessary to provide effective heating and cooling for the equipment, which, as well as the PQF, contained Variable Speed Drives and other significant heat-generating equipment.

The original concept of providing high-volume forced-air ventilation of the container was dismissed as being too noisy and not cost-effective. Specialist sub-contract designers were employed to model the worst-case heat-gain scenario, taking into account insulation values of the custom container build and including the solar gain relative to the geographical location and external colour of the container, to identify the most economic air-conditioning solution for the buildings.

Field cabling access to the MCC was developed with an innovative approach adopted for cable glanding. As a result of the height restrictions within the container cable glanding space within the MCC had become compromised. To counter this and applying out-of-the-box thinking, gland plates were relocated to the underneath of the containers which were to be suspended above ground to provide cabling access from below.

To assist with the turn-key solution, the container had to be equipped with a certified Fire Alarm system interconnected with the MCC to effectively cut the power by tripping the Mains and Generator Air Circuit Breakers in the event of an alarm. Together with the alarm system general domestic services were built into the container customisation and connected back to the MCC.

Following the build and witness-testing by the clients the MCCs were installed into the containers at CEMAs factory, re-built and re-tested prior to delivery. Specialist lifting and transport equipment was employed to enable the completed units, weighing twelve tonnes each, to be delivered to site on schedule.

What CEMA Had To Say

S Jones presented themselves and their capability far in excess of their competitors. Their understanding of the client requirements and the attention to detail was paramount to the success of the project. Working directly with Andrew and Les meant we had direct access for timely and knowledgeable decisions and guidance. We would highly recommend S Jones for all partners on future schemes.

Graeme Morley, Managing Director – CEMA Ltd

The Application

Additional ventilation fitted to the container

Specialist fabrications put into place for added support and stability

Managed interior with bespoke housing

Our commitment to safety

What Our Customers Say

Ieuan
18th Jul 2024

Fantastic friendly service. Worked very close with my needs delivery date and drop of very professional highly recommended

Jacob
17th Jul 2024

From the initial quote from S Jones Containers all the way through to delivery, the service was top class. I dealt with Clare Wright and Charlotte Seymour, there attention to detail and high work rate allowed the container to be ordered and delivered in a timely and smooth manner for our client.

KARL
17th Jul 2024

great reliable and informative service already looking at using S Jones again on another project

Sheila
3rd Jul 2024

I just wanted to thank everyone at S.Jones for the brilliant, professional service throughout the whole process of buying and delivering my container and also for their patience whilst we coped with very unhelpful weather on site. Special thanks to Rachel and Lorna and Lee at John Butlin & Co. Ltd
Transport and the very helpful, professional and efficient driver on the day. I had never bought a container (which by the way was very smart for a reconditioned one) and they all helped me when I must have been a complete pain at times!

Paul
17th May 2024

Nice easy process and very competitive price.
Great to deal with throughout to delivery.

Thank you.

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0800 1954 538