GE Industrial Solutions Power Equipment Buildings - Manual (Page 3)

Electrical Equipment Centers
Application Considerations
Page 3
Equipment Center vs. Conventional Building
Equipment Centers are primarily used in applications that have traditionally favored electrical rooms constructed at the
site utilizing conventional construction techniques. The below table describes the advantages of an equipment center
with the most common alternative, a concrete block building.
Table 2
Equipment Center Conventional Building
Major Electrical Equipment No difference No difference
Sourcing One manufacture is responsible
for all equipment purchasing Separate solicitation, analysis
(and often) sourcing of
switchgear, building, battery
systems, bus duct, etc.
Design Engineering Complete package designed and
engineered by one manufacturer Purchaser must design and
engineer
Construction Variety of materials, depending
on application environment and
structural requirements including
galvanized steel, stainless steel,
and aluminum Typically, concrete block
Foundation Minimum foundation i.e.,
curb type or pier type Requires full slab foundation with
relatively large stem walls and
footing
Base Self-supporting, allowing all
equipment to be factory leveled
before shipment Purchaser provides channel base
and grouting for leveling all
equipment
Internal wiring Factory wired complete with
wiring schematics Job-site interconnection of
control wiring as well as major
equipment
Main bus interconnections Coordinated by equipment center
supplier. Purchaser coordinates the match
up of main buses for different
types of equipment
Bus duct from transformers Checked for ease of assembly Purchaser coordinates and
assembles bus to switchgear in
field for first time
Grounding system Integral to equipment center Must be planned and built into
foundation
Equipment Center Conventional Building