English Electric Mains shut down/start up procedure

[Katie_J8]

Hi everyone, my husband has turned up on a job with a very old mains that he will need to shut down at some stage. Does anyone know the procedure for shutting down/re starting this type of mains? Photos attached. Apologies if this is the wrong forum and thanks for reading!

 

[Julie.]

Hi everyone, my husband has turned up on a job with a very old mains that he will need to shut down at some stage. Does anyone know the procedure for shutting down/re starting this type of mains? Photos attached. Apologies if this is the wrong forum and thanks for reading!View attachment 101397View attachment 101398

There is not enough information there.

It's clearly an ACB, and it looks like an old EE E3, which could be 3.3kV.

If he doesn't know how to operate any item of switchgear, he should be nowhere near it.


EE used the same or similar facia for most of their range, only really adding more information/options as they got higher in voltage, by the time you get to the E7 & E8 they do look significantly different to the lower voltage stuff.

This could be a 415V or 3.3kV ACB.

Edit.

If it is 415V it could be the M-pact range, likely in a form 4 switchboard, but there is no way to be sure from these photos.

 

[Katie_J8]

There is not enough information there.

It's clearly an ACB, and it looks like an old EE E3, which could be 3.3kV.

If he doesn't know how to operate any item of switchgear, he should be nowhere near it.


EE used the same or similar facia for most of their range, only really adding more information/options as they got higher in voltage, by the time you get to the E7 & E8 they do look significantly different to the lower voltage stuff.

This could be a 415V or 3.3kV ACB.

Edit.

If it is 415V it could be the M-pact range, likely in a form 4 switchboard, but there is no way to be sure from these photos.

There is not enough information there.

It's clearly an ACB, and it looks like an old EE E3, which could be 3.3kV.

If he doesn't know how to operate any item of switchgear, he should be nowhere near it.


EE used the same or similar facia for most of their range, only really adding more information/options as they got higher in voltage, by the time you get to the E7 & E8 they do look significantly different to the lower voltage stuff.

This could be a 415V or 3.3kV ACB.

Edit.

If it is 415V it could be the M-pact range, likely in a form 4 switchboard, but there is no way to be sure from these photos.

Thanks for your help, unfortunately there is no other information available.

He would not work on an item that he does not know how to operate, hence my asking for information - we're trying to find someone that has worked on these to assist - we've drawn a blank so far but hopefully your additional information may help, so thanks again.

 

[Julie.]

Thanks for your help, unfortunately there is no other information available.

He would not work on an item that he does not know how to operate, hence my asking for information - we're trying to find someone that has worked on these to assist - we've drawn a blank so far but hopefully your additional information may help, so thanks again.

It is pretty important you get the right information, English Electric made the OB3 in the 1950s - this MUST NOT BE OPERATED!

It was redesigned to be the M-pact in the 60s and EE got swallowed up by GEC in the late 60s, after this the M-pact became the GEC M-pact (now known as the mk 1) since then it's become the mk2, new M-pact, M-pact plus etc.

The ob3 and M-pact mk1 look similar when you just have the small view as your photo.

 

[Colin Jenkins 01]

Hi everyone, my husband has turned up on a job with a very old mains that he will need to shut down at some stage. Does anyone know the procedure for shutting down/re starting this type of mains? Photos attached. Apologies if this is the wrong forum and thanks for reading!View attachment 101397View attachment 101398

Hello Katie.
Tell your husband not to touch it. There is almost certainly high energy present (arc flash hazard); it should have been risk-assessed and labelled as such. If so, that means arc-rated PPE is essential to safely operate this circuit breaker. The lack of arc flash labelling and circuit designation labels leads me to think it has not been maintained. If the site owner does not know how to operate it, it may not have been functioned for an unknown period of time and may be unsafe. Call the DNO; they have all the right PPE to deal with it and will also be able to service and test it, which will be required. It then needs to go on a routine maintenance schedule and be risk-assessed for the potential arc flash hazard. And, usually, the lower the service voltage, the greater the arc flash hazard, so don't relax if it's found to be "only" 415 volts. Keep well away from it in the interim.
Regards,
Colin Jenkins.

 

[timhoward]

I've used some later descendants - GE M-Pact motor wound spring (MWS) units. The post above says it all, don't do it!

 

[Rockingit]

Surely, if it's MV switchgear then the owner would know if they have a massive buzzing TX somewhere?!

 

[Katie_J8]

It is pretty important you get the right information, English Electric made the OB3 in the 1950s - this MUST NOT BE OPERATED!

It was redesigned to be the M-pact in the 60s and EE got swallowed up by GEC in the late 60s, after this the M-pact became the GEC M-pact (now known as the mk 1) since then it's become the mk2, new M-pact, M-pact plus etc.

The ob3 and M-pact mk1 look similar when you just have the small view as your photo.

Thank you, he is going to contact the DNO, thanks for all your advice.

 

[Katie_J8]

I've used some later descendants - GE M-Pact motor wound spring (MWS) units. The post above says it all, don't do it!

Thanks, he is contacting the DNO, really appreciate your help.

 

[Katie_J8]

Hello Katie.
Tell your husband not to touch it. There is almost certainly high energy present (arc flash hazard); it should have been risk-assessed and labelled as such. If so, that means arc-rated PPE is essential to safely operate this circuit breaker. The lack of arc flash labelling and circuit designation labels leads me to think it has not been maintained. If the site owner does not know how to operate it, it may not have been functioned for an unknown period of time and may be unsafe. Call the DNO; they have all the right PPE to deal with it and will also be able to service and test it, which will be required. It then needs to go on a routine maintenance schedule and be risk-assessed for the potential arc flash hazard. And, usually, the lower the service voltage, the greater the arc flash hazard, so don't relax if it's found to be "only" 415 volts. Keep well away from it in the interim.
Regards,
Colin Jenkins.

Thanks so much, he is contacting the DNO as suggested. Really appreciate the help.