R&B Switchgear Services - Switchgear and Switchgear Maintenance, Servicing and Testing

R&B Switchgear Services carries out on-site and workshop refurbishment, maintenance, servicing, testing and repairs of switchgear and circuit breakers of any description. Our workshop and test area are specifically designed to cater to the switchgear manufacturers' industry and play a major role in providing the prompt and efficient service expected by our customers throughout the UK and globally.

Marine approved switchgear

R&B Switchgear aims to provide you with a safe and reliable electrical distribution network. We design, manufacture, install and commission electrical switchgear, tailor-made to suit individual requirements.

As a company we manufacture switchgear according to Lloyds or DNV standards and our products are approved for offshore FPSO and marine applications. In addition, we offer ASTA-certified busbars up to 6,300A, with a 2mm welded construction. They feature front / rear cable access, and top and bottom options.

Low-voltage electrical switchgear

We design and manufacture low-voltage electrical switchgear solutions in a timely and cost-effective manner. By sourcing materials from a range of suppliers we can provide our customers with the best solution for their unique requirements. Our comprehensive range of low-voltage electrical switchgear solutions includes:

• Main and sub main boards
• Sub distribution boards
• Changeover systems
• Multi-metering switchboards
• Motor control systems

Medium-voltage switchgear

R&B Switchgear offers services and solutions for all requirements of medium-voltage systems. Every operator of medium-voltage switchgear has different process-specific requirements. These include, high reliability, personal safety and low space requirements.

Besides the corresponding voltage levels, there are other additional aspects to take into consideration, such as environmental independence, maintenance-free design, compactness, security of investment, cost-efficiency, service friendliness and flexibility. R&B provides medium-voltage switchgear according to even the most specific demands.

Low-voltage modular distribution systems

R&B Switchgear Services has a licenced partnership with Dorman Smith Switchgear for the manufacture and supply of Modis low-voltage modular distribution systems, which are specifically designed to provide ultimate flexibility.

The modular concept, coupled with an extensive range of protective devices and enclosures, allows the cost-effective design and build of distribution systems to meet the exact power expectations and space limitations of individual schemes up to 3,200A.

Power factor correction equipment

Power factor is a measure of how efficiently electrical power is consumed. Power factor monitoring and the introduction of corrective equipment often results in significant savings.

When a system is 100% efficient, power factor is unity. If the power factor is less than unity extra power is needed to do the same work. Power factor correction (PFC) equipment returns the power factor to as close to unity as possible thus reducing the burden on the supply.

Switchgear asbestos removal

As a major manufacturer of both AC and DC switchgear, R&B offers a comprehensive worldwide service for the maintenance of switchgear, circuit breakers and all ancillary equipment such as voltage transformers and earth switches.

Prior to 1984 most air circuit breakers contained substantial components manufactured with cementite asbestos. As a result of changes in legislation regarding the acceptability of asbestos in the environment, R&B Switchgear has developed a service which removes, safely disposes and replaces cementite asbestos from items of switchgear and circuit breakers.

Circuit breaker maintenance and repair

R&B engineers are trained on all aspects of electrical switchgear, from the routine maintenance and repair of the mechanical aspect of the equipment to the periodic testing of the protection systems and associated relays.

• Complete analysis of medium-voltage circuit breakers
• SF6 gas leak detection using highly sensitive leak detection equipment
• Contact resistance measurement
• Insulation resistance measurement
• High-voltage DC impulse testing
• Vacuum chamber inspections
• Correct mechanism operation

Thermal imaging of switchboards

Thermal imaging has established itself as a useful preventative maintenance technique in the electrical industry. The technique includes measurement of actual temperatures of apparatus during normal operating conditions to evaluate whether the equipment is operating within its temperature range or whether an underlying fault is present.

For installations on high voltage, R&B Switchgear manufactures and supplies a viewing window which can be fitted to strategic positions on a switchboard giving the camera access to cable joints and busbar connections that couldn't usually be viewed without the removal of panels and doors.

Retrofit services for ACBs

For customers who have any Merlin Gerin ACBs of types 'DA' or Masterpact 'M' of any configuration in either 3 pole or 4 pole with horizontal or vertical connections, R&B can retrofit these units and replace them with the current range of ACBs from the Schneider Masterpact 'NW' and 'NT' range of ACBs.

We have developed the full range of rear connections to allow the replacement of any of the heritage range to the current range without the need for any on-site busbar modifications.

These connections are supplied along with the ACB, cosmetic and insulation barriers to achieve a safe and well engineered solution to the replacement of these old types of ACBs into existing switchboards on marine, offshore and industrial installations.