GE Industrial Solutions Power Equipment Buildings User 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