Outdoor switchboard stands up to rigorous safety testing

Australian-manufactured switchboard producer Fuji SMBE Macquarie has introduced its outdoor switchboard, which has passed a serious of rigorous tests to provide safety, performance and longevity. The AS/NZS 61439 fully type-tested outdoor main switchboard complements Fuji’s range of Australian-manufactured, low-voltage switchboards. Peter Silsby, Director of Fuji SMBE Macquarie, said the company wanted to provide the local market with an outdoor switchboard tested to all aspects of the standard. The switchboard was put through onerous testing to prove its reliability, even in harsh environments. Fuji SMBE Macquarie’s switchboards are backed by local service and provide advantages for applications including industrial, commercial, hospitality, data, health, infrastructure, rail, mining, retail and financial institutions.

The company has moved to purpose-built premises in Prestons, New South Wales, to meet growing demand for Australian-manufactured low-voltage switchboards, particularly with coronavirus (COVID-19) causing businesses to re-evaluate their supply chain and source more local products. The company conducted corrosion testing to Severity B on the switchboard; this involved a month of corrosion testing designed to simulate years of service in harsh environments, including coastal areas. IP66 water and dust testing was also conducted, to ensure that the enclosure will be watertight and sealed from any dust contamination. For the dust test, the switchboard is placed in a test cell, a vacuum is placed inside, with the lab attempting to suck dust inside the enclosure. Temperature rise can be onerous on a fully enclosed switchboard; however, the uniquely designed internal airflow provided promising results.

Short circuit testing also suggested that the design can handle any application with 100 kA for one second on the main busbars. Arc fault containment testing was also performed to test the structure of the switchboard. The switchboard achieved Appendix ZD arc fault containment on the outgoing units. The switchboard was then converted for indoor applications and passed the special arc fault containment test on the line side of the outgoing units. “An outdoor switchboard with special arc fault containment is rare, but we wanted to set a new benchmark for safety, reliability and performance in Australia,” Silsby said. “To further enhance ease of use, we also designed a unique Form 4b terminal enclosure for easy connection of outgoing cables.”

Image credit: Fuji SMBE Macquarie