Sterling Power, which provides engineering services to the utility and wider markets, has warned that with most hospitals supplied from the HV network due to their high power demand, ‘ageing infrastructure needs to be properly maintained, and high voltage equipment requires particular attention, as failure could result in serious and potentially disastrous consequences’.
The company said: “From the HSE’s perspective, all NHS hospitals should have suitable maintenance provisions in place for their oil, SF6, and vacuum high voltage switchgear. Vacuum technology has been the most common switchgear technology up to 33 kV for the past 40 years. BS6626:2010 deals with the issue of vacuum revalidation and design life. Any vacuum switchgear in the NHS portfolio over 20 years’ old is now being used outside of its stated design life. Our goal is to support electrical engineers and estates managers to remain compliant and safe.” The picture above shows a failed vacuum interrupter.
