Tag: Electrical switchgear

Diane Purseglove receives her 25 year gift.
CategoriesInternal News

Diane Purseglove receives her 25 year gift.

In October 2024, we had the honour of welcoming another dedicated employee to our prestigious Veterans Club, which celebrates team members who have achieved an incredible milestone—25 years of service with AF Switchgear. We are delighted to recognise Diane Purseglove for her remarkable contribution over the past quarter of a century.

This week, Diane, who continues to work with us on a semi-retired basis, was presented with her special 25-year gift to mark the anniversary date of this significant achievement.

During the celebration, Diane shared how much Sharon, her long-time colleague, has influenced her journey at AF Switchgear. She said, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Sharon.” Their professional partnership has been a cornerstone of their success, evolving into a lasting friendship that both Diane and Sharon are incredibly proud of.

Together, they’ve witnessed AF Switchgear grow from one factory with just four computers to an impressive operation spanning five manufacturing sites equipped with hundreds of computers. Their shared experiences and contributions have played an integral role in shaping our company’s journey.

We are immensely grateful to Diane for her dedication, resilience, and loyalty over the years, and we are equally inspired by the incredible bond she shares with Sharon. Here’s to Diane and all our Veterans Club members who continue to make AF Switchgear a remarkable place to work!Diane Purseglove receives her 25 year gift.

AF Switchgear achieve Constructionline Gold Membership
CategoriesInternal News

AF Switchgear achieve Constructionline Gold Membership

AF Switchgear is delighted to announce that we have achieved Constructionline Gold Membership—a milestone that reflects our commitment to excellence and quality in everything we do.

This is a fantastic achievement, and we are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication from our entire team that made this possible. A huge thank you goes out to everyone involved in securing this prestigious accreditation.

What is Constructionline Gold Membership?

Constructionline Gold is a highly regarded accreditation that demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance, risk management, and operational efficiency. Achieving this membership means our organisation has been rigorously assessed and meets the increased scrutiny required to operate at this level.

The key benefits of Constructionline Gold include:

  1. Exceeding PAS 91 requirements:We have gone above and beyond the industry-standard prequalification questionnaire.
  2. Meeting the Common Assessment Standard:We adhere to a widely recognised benchmark for quality, compliance, and sustainability in the construction industry.
  3. Pre-qualifying for the UK’s largest buyers:This accreditation enhances our visibility and eligibility to work with leading organisations across the UK.
  4. Achieving SSIP Certification:We’ve demonstrated excellence in health and safety management, adding further confidence for our clients and partners.

This achievement highlights AF Switchgear’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the industry, and we look forward to building on this success as we continue to deliver exceptional solutions for our clients.

AF Switchgear achieve Constructionline Gold Membership

AF Switchgear visit to The Manor Academy, Mansfield.
CategoriesInternal News

AF Switchgear visit to The Manor Academy, Mansfield.

Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting The Manor Academy in Mansfield to engage with students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship with our organisation.

The event brought together students from nine schools within the Two Counties Trust, providing an excellent opportunity for them to explore career pathways.

We were thrilled with the positive feedback and the strong interest shown in our apprenticeship program.

Pictured is Ben (Apprentice Electrical Panel Builder) alongside Bradley (Apprentice Works Fabricator), they were accompanied by Gaby & Sandie from our Central Services Department. 

AF Switchgear visit to The Manor Academy, Mansfield.

4th Annual Veterans Lunch
CategoriesInternal News

4th Annual Veterans Lunch

4th ANNUAL VETERANS LUNCH FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2024

We are pleased to welcome four new members to our distinguished Veterans Club this year: Sharon Armiger, Diane Purseglove, Paul Garrard, and Kev Adams.

This year’s gathering celebrates an impressive milestone—770 years of combined service contributed by just 26 employees, averaging 29.6 years each.

4th Annual Veterans Lunch

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication and commitment to AF Switchgear.

Apprentice Open Evening 24th April 2024
CategoriesInternal News

Apprentice Open Evening 24th April 2024

Wednesday 24th April we held our Apprentice Open Evening for potential candidates looking at joining AF Switchgear Ltd as either an Electrical Panel Builder or Metal Fabricator. 

This year was our biggest turnout ever, a record number of candidates came along and spent a few hours meeting current Apprentices, employees and to learn more about our company and the Apprenticeship Scheme. 

We received very positive feedback from parents and candidates and we are sure we will have a great intake this year.

🌐 More details can be found in the Careers section on our website along with job specifications.

📲 Vision West Nottinghamshire College deal with initial applications so please contact them if you are interested in joining our Apprenticeship Scheme.

 Tel: 0800 121 8317

Apprentice Open Evening 24th April 2024
Apprentice Intake 2024
CategoriesInternal News

Apprentice Intake 2024

👨🏼‍🎓 Are you looking for an Apprenticeship ? 👩🏼‍🎓

Our Apprentice intake for September 2024 is now open. If you are interested in either of the following:

🔧 Metal Fabricator
🛠️ Electrical Panel Builder

⭐️ These roles are well suited to candidates who have an interest in engineering and are committed to beginning a career in this sector. Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship there could be the opportunity to pursue engineering, supervisory or sales opportunities within our company.

🌐 More details can be found in the Careers section on our website along with job specifications.

📲 Please contact Vision West Nottinghamshire College to make your initial enquiry and come along to our Open Evening on Wednesday 24th April at 5.30pm (invitation only by the college).

 Tel: 0800 121 8317

Apprentice Intake 2024
busbar image 2
CategoriesGuides,  Resources

4 Reasons to Apply a Busbar to Your Switchgear Solution

Busbar is a non flexible alternative to cables in terms of its movement but holds many other advantages as we will discuss below.

Essentially when power distribution reaches a certain size there will be multiple cables needed to meet the capacity, this increase in diameter and number or cores will increase the time to install, it will lead to a reduction in available space (if there is enough space) and when compared to a busbar solution will likely increase the cost to procure and install.

A busbar is a simple bar used for distributing power and it makes an excellent alternative to cabling. Busbars are especially good for use in switchgear systems as they offer several significant benefits. They are simple to install, you can reduce excess cables, and they can be easily maintained. Busbars are adaptable and customisable, so they will work in any switchgear system.

We offer a range of busbars designed for use in commercial and industrial applications. These are the key benefits of using busbars for switchgear.

Busbar image 1

1. Busbars can be advantageous over cabling

One of the main reasons to use a busbar is that it is usually much better than cabling. Complex systems with lots of cables take up a lot of space and look very messy. A busbar is far more compact than cabling, so your switchgear won’t take up anywhere near as much space. A busbar is also contained in a metal casing, so it is less prone to damage than a traditional cable. 

You will get less resistance with a busbar too. The extruded profile of the IP55 busbar distributes the current more efficiently and reduces resistance when compared with cables, so you experience less loss of voltage.

If you want a neater, more efficient, and safer alternative to cabling, busbars are perfect.

2. They are adaptable for different switchgear systems

The construction of busbars makes them very adaptable for different switchgear systems. They have a modular design with different elements joined by monoblocks so they can be modified to fit into any space. If you update your switchgear, it is quick and easy to adjust your busbar at the same time. The tap-off boxes can be replaced or moved easily without having to do extensive work and add more cables. Cables, on the other hand, can be very time-consuming and expensive to alter, so busbars are a lot more flexible.

3. The components are easy to understand

Busbars are made using very simple components that are easy to understand. Aluminium or copper conductors are encased in a resin to protect against oxidisation and maintain conductivity. 

The simplicity of the components means that our busbars are very easy to install and maintain, so you can ensure that your switchgear systems are always running efficiently.

4. You can arrange regular maintenance for busbars

Busbars require a lot less upkeep than cabling, but regular switchgear maintenance is still beneficial if you want to improve efficiency and avoid any problems with your switchgear system. Busbars are very easy to maintain because the components are very basic and the modular design means that they are easily dismantled and replaced, if necessary.

There are a number of potential problems that will be picked up during a routine switchgear survey. These include water ingression, contamination of busbars with foreign objects, exterior damage, and incorrectly functioning joints. A switchgear service does not take very long and it can help you avoid any major faults in the future, so you save money and your switchgear continues running as it should without interruption.

busbar image 3

How To Install A Busbar

The installation process for your busbar system is relatively simple. First, you must check all of the components to ensure that they are in good condition and have not been damaged in transit. If they are all intact, take the following steps to install your busbar.

busbar image 4

Connect the busbar elements

Begin by taking the protective foil from the end of the busbar elements and place them in position, making sure that the spacing between them is 30mm. It is important to make sure that all of the components are clear at this point. You can use a hair dryer to remove any dust. 

Next, place a joint block between the elements to connect the conductors to one another. Tighten the nut until the head shears off.

Casting the junctions

Once all of the elements are in place and secured, you need to cast the junctions using the moulds supplied. Start by applying neoprene seals to the mould and then spray demoulding agent inside and let it dry.

When ready, place the mould over the two busbar elements that you want to connect. There needs to be at least 2cm overlap on each side. Now, prepare the resin mix to pour into the mould. Make sure that the resin is completely clear and if it is cloudy, do not use it.

Pour the resin slowly to fill the moulds. When you are finished, tap them gently with a rubber hammer to get rid of any air bubbles. Finally, level the surface with a putty knife and leave the resin to set.

The hardening time varies depending on the temperature. It will take between 5 and 14 hours for it to fully cure. In a warmer climate, the resin will dry much faster. Once dry, you can use a grinding stone to remove any rough spots and make sure that the joint is even.

Test the busbar

Now that the busbar is installed, you can operate the switchgear system to ensure that everything is working correctly. You can also run resistance tests to check the efficiency of your new busbars.

Looking For A Busbar Solution?

If you are still using cables for power distribution in your switchgear, you are missing an opportunity to improve safety, keep things compact and tidy, and boost efficiency. By making the switch to busbars instead of cables, you can drastically improve the performance of your switchgear. They are also future-proof because they’re simple to change whenever you need to.

At AF Switchgear, we can help you find the perfect busbar solution. We have IP55 and IP68 models available, which are perfect for all kinds of commercial and industrial uses. If you have limited experience with busbars, our team can advise you and help you determine what kind of busbar is right for your switchgear. We also offer maintenance services for existing systems too.

Get in touch today to learn more about our products and services and how they can help you.

Do you have a Busbar enquiry? Get in touch...

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Power lines
CategoriesPower Factor Correction,  Resources

5 Reasons Power Factor Correction Is So Important

Power Factor Correction (PFC) lowers the current drawn by an electrical system. It does this by producing the reactive power (KVAr) locally, thereby reducing the current drawn from the mains. Ultimately, this means that less power is used so you save money and lower your carbon footprint. PFC units can also improve safety and help you manage maintenance costs too. 


If you don’t already have power factor correction units fitted to your switchgear system, you could be operating with large inefficiencies and there are other potential issues you could run into too. Here are 5 reasons why power factor correction is so important.

1. Low carbon footprint

Managing your carbon footprint should always be a priority, especially when using electrical systems that draw a lot of power. Not only does this have internal benefits but it also improves your public image as sustainability is a priority for consumers. By using power factor correction, you can reduce the overall demand of the system and increase efficiency, reducing the strain you put on the electrical grid.

This is because the reactive power is no longer drawn from the mains, it is instead drawn locally. An electrical system draws active power (KVA) and reactive power (KVAr). Lowering the reactive power will increase the active power, thereby creating a more efficient system and helping you to use less energy.

The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA) estimates that you could reduce your carbon footprint by as much as 105kg per year for each power factor correction unit fitted. In a large facility, this adds up to an impressive improvement in carbon emissions with relatively little investment. For companies that are committed to being more eco-friendly, power factor correction is one of the most cost-effective changes that can be made.

2. The useful kW load can be increased without overload

By installing power factor correction units and reducing the reactive power, you can reduce the overall current carried by each circuit. This means that the useful kW load of each circuit can be increased further without the risk of overload that you would normally have. In many cases, this allows you to increase the capacity of the system without making expensive upgrades. Often, when introducing new equipment and machinery that puts a higher demand on the electrical system, you must make upgrades to increase the capacity. Installing power factor correction units is a more cost-effective and less disruptive alternative that could save you a significant amount of money.

3. They prevent Power Factor penalties

Often, there are power factor penalties on your electric bill if your system is below a certain efficiency threshold. It is usually added as an additional charge per kW of power used, and it quickly adds up. Generally, a power factor of 0.92 or lower will incur additional charges on your electricity bill. So, if you have an inefficient system that is already using more power than it needs to and you are then getting additional power factor penalties on top, you are likely wasting a lot of money. Power factor correction will help you avoid penalties by improving the power factor so it is above the threshold. As a result, you will see a significant drop in your energy costs overnight.

4. Improves voltage stability

A poor power factor leads to an increased current flow, which in turn can cause the voltage drop in the conductor to increase. The voltage going to the machinery is then lower, which can be a significant issue. Low voltage can cause serious damage to electrical components and electric motors are particularly susceptible to problems. An electric motor will draw more current when the voltage is too low, causing it to overheat. Essentially, equipment runs faster and hotter for a shorter period of time, so it is far more likely to malfunction. Not only is this a safety hazard but it also means increased maintenance costs too.

 

Power factor correction will reduce the voltage drop at the conductor, thereby increasing the voltage at the equipment. As a result, equipment runs more efficiently, it’s safer, and you experience fewer maintenance problems.

5. The maximum availability required for the system can be reduced

The maximum availability required for an electrical system refers to the maximum amount of power it can draw. Even though it may be drawing less power at certain points, the maximum availability must be met to ensure that the system continues running without interruption if the power it is drawing increases. In an inefficient system with a poor power factor, the maximum availability required is much higher and this places more strain on the power supply.

 

By fitting power factor correction units, the top amount of power that the system uses is reduced, so the top threshold also comes down. When the availability requirements are reduced, there is a smaller chance of interruptions caused by electrical faults or utility outages, so companies can avoid expensive downtime.

Power factor correction has numerous benefits and any business or organisation that wants to improve efficiency and save money should make it a priority. By reducing the power drawn by the system and avoiding penalties, you can cut your electricity bills and make your carbon footprint smaller at the same time. Stabilising the voltage and reducing the chances of overloading the transformer will also help you cut maintenance costs and improve safety.

Looking for a PFC solution?

If you do not already have power factor correction units installed in your switchgear, you are missing an excellent opportunity to boost efficiency and save money. But don’t worry, we are here to provide a PFC solution that works for you.

 

At AF Switchgear, we have over 45 years of experience manufacturing custom switchgear components to suit your needs. Our expert team can assess your electrical systems and advise on the best PFC solution for you. So, get in touch today to learn more about our services and how they could help improve your business!

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