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VMX SWITCHGEAR REPLACEMENT FOR DLR – 11kV AC ECLIPSE SWITCHBOARD

Docklands Light Railway

Enable Infrastructure replaced 11kV switchgear at the Custom House Substation for the Docklands Light Railway. The project aimed to maintain service, minimise disruptions, and enhance safety and efficiency. Key elements included:

  • Replacing aging 6-panel switchgear with modern equivalent
  • Integrating new switchgear with existing systems like SCADA
  • Civil and mechanical modifications to accommodate the upgrades
  • Commissioning the new equipment over multiple shifts

Challenges included logistics of working in central London and coordinating numerous stakeholders. Enable mitigated these through night deliveries, structured commissioning, and close collaboration. The completed project removed redundant equipment and improved reliability for DLR customers.

 

Enable Infrastructure are under contract with DLR (Docklands Light Railway) for the design, supply, and installation of replacement of 11kV Switchgear type VMC at Custom House Substation (CHS) with modern equivalent. The objectives of the project are to maintain the existing level of train service, to minimise the risk of disruption to customers and increase efficiency and safety for operations of maintenance. The 11kV AC Eclipse Switchgear consists of a 6-panel switchboard. The project also required installation of a 110V Battery Charger, installation of marshalling panel and a SCADA update. As a part of the Royal Mint Street Project Enable were also required to interface with London Underground due to their feed into the substation from Embankment. Enable were required to design a scheme to maintain RTX2 during the works, to ensure low-risk to the network during the lifecycle of the construction works.

  • Logistics of carrying out works in central London.
  • Numerous stakeholders to be aligned during the project, including London Underground, Sella Controls, Keolis Amey Docklands, DLR.

 

  • All deliveries of switchgear were carried out during night-time, causing as little impact to the local residents / busy area as possible.
  • Ensuring all key stakeholders were on T- meetings prior to initial temporary scheme, and all commissioning works, with a clear plan and structure in place to ensure a smooth process.
  • Commissioning was carried out over 4 shifts with Enable, KAD, Sella Controls and London Underground staff on site across the works. During the first shift, Enable carried out primary injection / primary protection testing, along with a pressure test before isolation of LUL2 Feeder Cable. The team proceeded with the SCADA update on the next shift, carried out by Sella Controls along with energisation of RTX2. During the 3rd shift, Enable installed an MRTP02 relay, whilst our specialist jointing contractor (Ady-HV) carried out jointing and terminations to facilitate the works Finally, all outstanding HV cables  were tested and energised, with RTX1 subsequently brought back into service.
  • Following energisation of the switchgear into service, all cable penetration entry points were fire-stopped by our approved fire-stopping contractor and the DC Switch room floor was painted prior to walk-out with client to inspect installation.

  • Removal of redundant Switchgear and associated switchgear/cabling.
  • Enable utilised all plant and welfare facilities from Enable Hire.
  • Enable utilised Power Systems Storage Unit (based in Rainham) for storage of all equipment
  • Commissioning into service of all newly installed equipment. No delays to services and additional reliability for customer.
  • Replacement of the HSNP switchgear at Beckton substation and Custom House Substation with modern equivalent.
  • Provision of switchgear with DC protection system compliant with ES-606.
  • Commissioning of the new switchgear and wiring interfaces with operational plant to be retained, such as Telecode 80, SCADA, and emergency stop push buttons.
  • Replication of existing SCADA Inputs/Outputs (I/Os) and installation of additional (I/Os) for extended functionality of equipment.
  • Civil modifications to allow the new DC plant to be installed.
  • Mechanical modifications in the cable route systems within and outside of the HV Room.
  • Replace all cabling and small wiring to Switchgear.
  • Review and upgrade of the 110V DC battery chargers. Modification or provision of new battery chargers if required.
  • Provision of castell key interlocking and modifications required to achieve full interlocking when carrying out transformer rectifier set isolations.

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