ABB equipment helps maximise electrical safety for residents in new Portsmouth apartment development

Berkeley Homes (Southern) Ltd, developer of sustainable housing, has installed line protection devices from ABB in its prestigious new development, the No. 1 Gunwharf Quays tower in Portsmouth. The new development, the tallest residential skyscraper on the South Coast of England, will be protected by a mix of ABB Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) and Residual Current Breakers with Overload protection (RCBO), providing protection against overloads, short circuits and electrical failures and delivering maximum reliability and safety for residents.

The development includes numerous variants of ABB’s System ProM compact MCB S200 series, from 6 to 32 amps, which are designed to immediately interrupt the supply in the event of a fault.

Unlike fuses, which are destroyed when an electrical fault is detected, MCBs can be either manually or automatically re-set to resume normal operation, leading to a more cost-effective set-up. ABB’s MCBs fully satisfy the requirements of BSEN 60898-1, the British Standard for circuit breakers for overcurrent protection in household and similar installations.

ABB’s Residual Current Breakers with Overload protection (RCBO) combine the benefits of a residual current device (RCD) with the overcurrent protection of MCBs. They work by detecting the leakage current and quickly reacting to prevent electrocution and ensure personal safety, as well as preventing equipment damage from overcurrents.

The development also includes ABB’s isolator switches, enabling the building’s main electrical circuits to be completely isolated for service or maintenance, allowing any work to be safely carried out.

Speaking about the project, Paul Hartley, Sales Engineer for ABB Low Voltage Products business comments, "It has been a great experience working with Berkeley Homes, our strategic industrial partner, Parmley Graham and Logistical Building Services (LBS) on this flagship project. Our MCB and RCBOs will provide residents with premium levels of electrical protection befitting of a premium quality development such as No.1 Gunwharf Quays."
The No.1 Gunwharf Quays residential tower is landscaped into a historic setting, with the Historic Portsmouth Dockyard and Old Portsmouth only a few minutes walk away. The lipstick-shaped apartment block designed by Scott Brownrigg, sits alongside Gunwharf Quays, a £200-million retail and residential complex.

Speaking about the development, Andrew Patrick, Commercial Manager for Berkeley Homes (Southern) Ltd commented, "We were very pleased with the service delivered by ABB. Parts were quickly delivered and the service was fast and efficient. Even when parts were out of stock, the ABB Sales Engineer ensured the parts were delivered by hand. All-round, an exceptional service and we’re delighted our development is protected in the best way possible."

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