Low Voltage Equipment Programme

LOW VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT PROGRAMME

LOW VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT PROGRAMME WHO WE

ARE

Sellafield’s Low Voltage Equipment Programme (LVEP) set standards and provide assurance that aids the e cient running of the site. The LV team’s expert knowledge of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, batteries, lightning protection, motors and drives, help to maximise asset conditions and minimise downtime.

We specialise in providing Subject Matter Expertise (SMEs) for Low Voltage equipment, by o ering comprehensive maintenance solutions to equipment owners for their Plant Based Systems (PBSs).

We gather detailed system data and use it to generate insightful system health reports, presented through user-friendly dashboards. We excel in delivering both preventative and reactive maintenance support, ensuring the smooth operation of systems.

Our services extend beyond maintenance - we actively engage in resolving current and historical system faults, leveraging our expertise to implement industry best practices. Drawing from our experience and collaboration with industry leaders, we introduce innovative approaches to enhance system performance and reliability.

We are committed to knowledge sharing within the electrical engineering community. We disseminate best practices and insights, contributing to the continuous improvement of industry standards. Additionally, we o er training programmes and ongoing support tailored to empower professionals within the LV electrical community, fostering skill development and expertise enhancement.

Our comprehensive services encompass expert maintenance solutions, fault resolution, best practice implementation, knowledge dissemination, and training support, all aimed at optimising the performance and longevity of LV equipment and Plant Based Systems.

MESSAGE FROM PAUL O’LEARY

As part of Sellafield's Low Voltage Equipment Programme (LVEP), I am proud to oversee a team dedicated to setting standards and providing assurance that are integral to the e cient operation of the Sellafield site. We’re a centrally based team with a big impact across the site.

Our commitment goes beyond our own team, through training, mentoring, and coaching, we're empowering others to excel. The success of our initiatives, like cross-neutral and battery-changing training, mean we've played a part in strengthening equipment reliability, and that brings rewards to the LVEP and beyond.

Our primary goal is to minimise downtime, keeping sitewide systems up and running, we achieve this through a professional approach, and our community of passionate individuals are dedicated to the success of Sellafield. Together, we're driving excellence through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, ensuring a bright, reliable future for the site.

Low Voltage Equipment Programme Lead & Deputy Principle Senior Authorised Person

LOW VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT

LEADERS

Engineering and Maintenance managers and leads are vital in assigning our LVEP Engineers to visit their sites. working with their respective teams to identify issues when they are a single point vulnerability, and get the right people in line for the job.

DOERS

Our team of engineers in expertise in batteries, lightning speed drives, and Uninterrupted systems. They set the standards, across the entire electrical collaborating with design, commissioning, streams to maintain and improve

E ective collaboration between Leaders, Trainers, and Doers Engineering and Maintenance managers and leads serve as linchpins, orchestrating to identify vulnerabilities. The LVEP Engineers, with their specialized expertise departments to ensure the longevity and reliability of assets. Where trainers play expertise, and training initiatives, we can cultivate a culture of proactive asset

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

TRAINERS

DOERS

the LVEP have a wealth of lightning protection, motors, variable Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) standards, providing assurance electrical distribution asset lifecycle, commissioning, and the value improve throughput and safety.

E cient problem solving starts with first-class training and upskillingthrough this, we help to increase productivity sitewide. By standardising practices, we allow less room for error, improve knowledge and make processes asset specific.

Doers makes for the improved health of assets across site. orchestrating the deployment of LVEP Engineers, and coordinating with their teams expertise in various electrical systems, establish standards and collaborate across play a empower personnel to address issues e ectively. By aligning leadership, management, enhancing resilience and longevity of assets across Sellafield.

SUCCESS STORIES

CHALLENGING INITIAL DIAGNOSES

The Low Voltage Equipment Programme (LVEP) successfully addressed a variable speed drive (VSD) fault in B84, helping to prevent further operational disruptions.

THE PROBLEM

Upon investigation, the LVEP engineers found the VSD fault indicated a motor issue, contradicting the earlier belief the local maintenance team had about a speed drive malfunction. Static tests revealed an undetected short between two motor phases.

THE SOLUTION

Confirming the motor as the source, the team replaced it over a single weekend, preventing operational disruptions. The resolution not only restored the vent system but also averted substantial financial losses and downtime, approximately £20,000 per shift, twice a day.

The vent system, identified as a single-point vulnerability, played a crucial role beyond financial implications. Its prompt restoration ensured uninterrupted operations in upstream and downstream plants, safeguarding against

LESSONS LEARNED

Reflecting on the incident, the team stressed the importance of annual motor testing and testing critical motors before installation. This proactive approach aims to prevent costly unplanned downtime, showcasing LVEP's commitment to e cient maintenance practices.

The successful incident resolution highlights LVEP's expertise in swiftly addressing critical equipment failures, minimizing disruptions, and fostering a preventive maintenance mindset within the plant's infrastructure.

SUCCESS STORIES

ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR PRODUCT SAFETY

The LVEP was informed of a Product Safety Report issued by the O ce for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the report alerted the team to some faulty Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) which may have been used on the Sellafield site.

The defect a ected some Schneider MCCBs which, in normal operation, disconnect any faults within the circuit and provide overcurrent protection to the downstream circuit. The Product Safety Report indicated that some models may not perform properly, raising significant safety concerns.

RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION

A Consultant Engineer for Sellafield Sites’ LVEP, was asked to produce a Toolbox Talk for circulation across site, and decided that more information was needed to ensure the safety of engineers sitewide.

The LVEP sourced a Quality Engineer contact at Schneider Electric (SE), so sta could contact the person responsible for making arrangements for repair or replacement of the a ected items.

They also noticed that other models were a ected by the same issue, so the information was shared across site and with the OPSS, taking on a duty of care to ensure all end users had the correct information.

COLLABORATION WITH REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

The OPSS shared the Schneider recall notice with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who confirmed additional products were a ected. They then contacted SE UK to get all the relevant information across, spurring the release of another Product Safety Report via the OPSS.

The HSE was appreciative of the proactive approach from the LVEP for bringing the additional products to their attention, expressing that it was refreshing to see such keenness to ensure product safety. To date, there are no known cases of the a ected Schneider MCCBs having been found at Sellafield.