WB Clarke Geoscience

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Replacing heat-damaged switchboard infrastructure to remove a confirmed electrical safety risk.

Platinum Electricians was engaged by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to upgrade ageing switchboard and distribution board infrastructure at its WB Clarke Geoscience site in Londonderry, NSW.

Inspection of the site's main distribution board identified heat damage to the busbars. Platinum scoped and delivered a replacement program covering the main switchboard, an external distribution board, protection devices and light switch panel controls, with an accepted variation formalising the additional scope once the extent of the damage was confirmed.

Main Switchboard (MDB) Replacement

Disconnected and removed the existing MDB following identification of heat-damaged busbars
Supplied and installed a new 400A, IP42 switchboard: 400A main switch, 160A MCCB, six 100A MCCBs, one 50A MCCB and one 32A MCCB
Configured a 10-way non-essential section and 2-way essential section, with a digital power meter
Tested and commissioned the new board prior to energisation

External Distribution Board Replacement

Disconnected and removed the existing external enclosure, DB and 3-phase outlets
Installed a new IP56-rated metal enclosure housing a new 6-pole module DB
Installed two new 56-series 3-phase outlets within the new enclosure

Capacity & Protection Upgrades

Increased the chassis capacity of DB 6/2-3 South from 72P to 84P
Replaced 35 contactors across three boards: 11 in DB 6/2-3 North, 12 in DB 6/2-3 South and 12 in DB-1

MDB Replacement

The existing MDB was found to have heat damage to its busbars during inspection — an early indicator of an escalating fault risk. Replacement was prioritised with a fully rated 400A IP42 board, supported by testing and commissioning before the board was returned to service.

Light Switch Panel Upgrades

Replaced 16 on/off push-button switches with toggle switches and indicator lights at DB-1 and at DB 6/2-3 North, serving the Pallet Storage and Box Storage lighting areas
Disconnected and rewired latching circuits to suit the new switching arrangement

KEY CHALLENGES

Heat-damaged busbars: Early identification during inspection allowed replacement to be planned before the fault risk escalated, with the new board tested and commissioned before being returned to service.
Staging works across live boards: Delivering the upgrade across DB-1, DB 6/2-3 North and South and the external DB required careful isolation planning and staged switching to maintain power continuity to the site's operational areas throughout the works.
Responsive scope management: The full extent of the busbar damage and additional protection requirements became clear once boards were opened up, formalised through an accepted variation rather than delaying the works.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

Switchboard replacement was carried out as fully isolated, dead work under Platinum Electricians' certified WHS Management System.

Works delivered under Platinum Electricians' WHS Management System
Lock-out/tag-out isolation procedures applied to all switchboard replacement activity
Arc flash hazard signage and no-live-work controls in place on completed switchboards
New boards tested, commissioned and labelled prior to handover

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Removed a confirmed fire and safety risk by replacing heat-damaged busbars with a new, fully rated main switchboard
Improved lighting control safety and usability for storage area staff through toggle-and-indicator switch panels
Increased distribution capacity at DB 6/2-3 South to support future load growth
Renewed protection reliability across three distribution boards through full contactor replacement
Delivered a base contract plus a formally accepted variation, reflecting responsive scope management as site conditions were confirmed

PROJECT

Distribution Board & Switchboard Upgrade

PROJECT OVERVIEW

SCOPE OF WORKS