Electrical Planning for New Industrial Construction Projects: A Right First Time Approach.
When it comes to design considerations for new industrial construction, the old adage is true:
“By failing to prepare,
you are preparing to fail.”
We’ve partnered with a number of customers in industrial manufacturing to ensure the design and planning phase of new advanced construction projects go as smoothly as possible.
“Electrical design in new industrial construction requires a comprehensive approach that balances immediate needs with long-term considerations.
By focusing on load management, energy efficiency, safety, scalability, and the integration of advanced control systems, project managers and engineers can create electrical systems that support efficient, safe and sustainable industrial operations.”
Joel Randoll – Director
Electrical planning for industrial projects is critical for ensuring not only the functionality and efficiency of the facility from day one, but also its safety, scalability, and sustainability in the long term.
Industrial electrical design plays a foundational role in this planning phase, requiring meticulous consideration to meet the demands of modern industrial operations.
So, we wanted to share with you our key electrical design considerations that project managers and engineers must navigate to ensure the success of new industrial construction projects, from electrical system installation to adhering to electrical engineering practices.
Because as industrial electrical experts with particular expertise in electrical system installation, we understand the vital importance of good project planning and management to building any industrial facility.
Electrical planning for industrial projects is a huge undertaking, incorporating renewable energy in industrial design, scalability in electrical systems design and the subject of automation in electrical design for manufacturing.
It’s a complex area that we’re becoming ever more adept in, learning through experience and developing our skills to ensure we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation and automation. Our process, in brief, typically includes:
Understanding Load Requirements and Capacity Planning
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design
Integration of Control Systems and Automation
Advanced Electrical Systems for Industrial Construction
Understanding Load Requirements and Capacity Planning
The two fundamentals of electrical design, understanding load requirements and capacity planning are fundamental in new industrial construction.
Ensuring that electrical systems can adequately support operational demand is something that cannot be overlooked.
To understand load requirements, we begin by analysing a facility’s total electrical demand, including current and future needs. This analysis is essential to preventing circuits being overloaded and to ensure reliable power distribution and includes a number of factors including peak load conditions, types of equipment, and operational schedules.
In terms of capacity planning, we focus on designing and implementing an electrical system that can handle these load requirements efficiently.
That involves selecting appropriate equipment, such as transformers and circuit breakers, and ensuring that the electrical infrastructure can accommodate future expansions or technological advancements.
Our aim when carrying out effective capacity planning is to help optimise energy usage, reduce downtime, and enhance the overall safety and reliability of industrial electrical systems.
You can rely on us to carry out:
Detailed Load Analysis
Determining the total electrical load of the facility by considering all potential sources of power consumption, including machinery, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and office equipment.
Future-proofing
Planning for future expansion or technological upgrades by incorporating additional capacity into the electrical system design, preventing costly overhauls down the line.
Load Management in Industrial Design
Strategically managing power distribution to optimise efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design
Energy efficiency and sustainability are no longer a nice to have or a tick box exercise.
Rising energy costs and increasing environmental concerns are two very good reasons to build energy efficient solutions and a sustainable approach into advanced industrial construction.
Integrating energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, high-efficiency motors, and smart energy management systems, significantly reduces operational costs and environmental impact.
Sustainable design principles, like incorporating renewable energy sources (solar, wind), optimising natural light, and implementing energy storage solutions, further enhance efficiency.
Additionally, advanced monitoring and control systems ensure optimal performance and resource utilisation.
Prioritising energy efficiency and sustainability from the beginning not only helps you to comply with regulatory standards but will also position your industrial facility as leading the way in environmental stewardship and cost-effective operations.
When we’re considering energy efficiency in electrical design, we’ll look closely at:
Energy-efficient Lighting
Utilising LED lighting and smart lighting systems that adjust based on occupancy and natural light levels.
Renewable Energy Integration
Designing the electrical system to incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, which is a critical aspect of incorporating renewable energy in industrial design.
High-efficiency Equipment
Selecting high-efficiency motors, drives, and other electrical components to minimise energy consumption.
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Safety and Compliance
Safety is non-negotiable in industrial facilities, with electrical design playing a critical role in preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
Our experienced electrical engineers are expert in ensuring you are adherent with national and international standards, such as HSE, BS, and other relevant safety standards. This involves implementing robust grounding systems, arc flash protection, and emergency shutoff mechanisms.
Regular inspections, rigorous testing, and proper labelling of electrical components further enhance safety. Compliance with environmental regulations, such as proper disposal of hazardous materials, is equally important.
This level of detail is paramount to preventing accidents and ensuring operational integrity. Partnering with us to prioritising your safety and compliance needs means reducing risks, protecting workers, avoiding costly penalties and ensuring a secure and efficient operational environment.
We build in protection systems that include circuit breakers, safety switches, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electrical hazards.
Ask us how we can help you to:
Comply with Standards
Adhering to the latest codes and standards, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States or the Wiring Regulations in the UK, to ensure electrical code compliance.
Meet Industrial Electrical Safety Standards
Implementing industry-specific safety measures to prevent workplace accidents and ensure the well-being of employees.
Keeping your people safe. Keeping your company complaint.
Scalability and Flexibility
Scalability and flexibility are vital in electrical planning for industrial projects, ensuring the infrastructure can adapt to future growth and technological advancements.
We produce scalable designs that allow for easy upgrades and expansions without significant overhauls, accommodating increased load demands and new machinery.
Our flexible systems incorporate modular components and versatile wiring configurations, enabling quick adjustments to changing operational needs.
We can also help to incorporate smart technologies, such as IoT devices and adaptive control systems, to further enhances flexibility.
With our help, you can prioritise scalability and flexibility, building-in efficiency, reducing downtime, and staying competitive in an ever-evolving market. It’s a forward-looking strategy that can ultimately safeguard your long-term investment.
Ask us how we can help you with:
Modular Design
Implementing a modular electrical system that can be easily expanded or reconfigured as needs change.
Scalability in Electrical Systems Design
Ensuring the design supports future growth, be it through technological upgrades or physical expansion.
Spare Capacity
Including spare conduits and panels in the initial design to facilitate future expansions or modifications without major disruptions.
Integration of Control Systems and Automation
The modern industrial landscape is increasingly reliant on automation and control systems for efficient and precise operations. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that the integration of control systems and automation is the cornerstone of modern electrical design for new industrial construction.
Seamless integration with PLCs, SCADA systems, and IoT devices enhances operational efficiency, enabling real-time monitoring, data analytics, and automated control of processes.
This integration ensures precise coordination between machinery and electrical systems, reducing human error and downtime. We know that it’s crucial to design for compatibility with existing and future automation technologies, ensuring we create a responsive and adaptable manufacturing environment.
We can work with you to prioritise the integration of control systems and automation, helping you to achieve higher productivity, improved safety, and reduced operational costs, and positioning your business at the forefront of industry innovation.
Ask how our industrial electrical design is built around:
Control System Integration
Ensuring the electrical design supports the integration of industrial control systems, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and actuators.
Automation in Electrical Design for Manufacturing
Incorporating automated processes that enhance productivity and precision in manufacturing operations.
Data Infrastructure
Providing a robust data network infrastructure to support communication between control systems, machinery, and monitoring equipment.
Advanced Electrical Systems for Industrial Construction
If you’re not exploring the opportunities for advanced electrical systems for industrial construction, you’re missing out many business benefits.
Advanced electrical systems are essential in new industrial construction, offering many possibilities in terms of enhanced efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
We can advise on incorporating state-of-the-art technologies such as smart grids, energy-efficient transformers, and advanced circuit breakers. All of which can help to optimise power distribution and reduce energy losses.
These systems also support integration with renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, promoting sustainable operations.
By designing advanced monitoring and diagnostic tools, we can also enable predictive maintenance, minimising downtime and prolonging equipment life.
Incorporating advanced safety features, such as arc flash protection and automated shutdowns, also ensures a safer working environment.
Your investment in advanced electrical systems will pay dividends with superior performance, cost savings and compliance with stringent regulatory standards.
We can advise you on:
Advanced Diagnostics and Monitoring
Utilising the latest in diagnostic tools and intelligent monitoring systems to predict and prevent potential issues before they lead to system failures.
Innovative Material Use
Exploring the use of advanced materials that offer better performance, durability, and safety.
Sustainable Electrical Solutions
Designing systems that not only meet today’s needs but also are sustainable and minimise environmental impact over their lifetime.
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As technology and standards continue to evolve rapidly, staying abreast of the latest developments and innovations will continue to be essential for successful new industrial construction projects.
This strategic incorporation of detailed planning, electrical engineering practices, and advanced electrical systems ensures that new industrial facilities are not only up to par, but set benchmarks in industrial construction.
As your industrial electrical partner, it’s our job to keep you up to date and ahead of the curve.
