BWI Airport –Main Substation and Utility Upgrades
As part of a long-term modernization project at the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport, Helios Electric was retained to perform design-assist, system integration, on-site field engineering, startup, and commissioning services. The project involved replacing two (2) existing 33kV switchgear lineups, retrofit of seven (7) 13.8kV switchgear lineups, and the replacement of one (1) 7.5/10.5 MVA transformer at the North Substation and South Substation. The project also included enhancements to the electrical system protection since power reliability was deemed vital for airport operations.
New SEL-787 transformer protection relays, SEL-751 feeder protection relays, SEL-351 feeder protection relays, and SEL-735 power quality metering were installed to perform advanced transformer monitoring, controls, and system protection. New pilot control devices were installed on the corresponding switchgear lineups to indicate transformer faults, switchgear faults, alarms, and mechanical conditions. Vacuum circuit breakers at the existing switchgear lineups were retrofitted and modified to establish connectivity with the new substation and switchgear facilities.
This installation approach yielded improved protection for the new transformer while limiting the scope, budget, duration, and power outages required to accomplish the necessary tasks. The features of the new electrical facilities included the following:
Automatic Source Transfer Schemes
SCADA Integration for Monitoring and Controls
ANSI-87 – Current Differential Protection
ANSI-87G – Restricted Earth Fault Protection
ANSI-50/51 – Phase Overcurrent Protection
ANSI-50/51G – Ground Overcurrent Protection
ANSI-63 – Transformer Sudden Pressure
ANSI-71 – Transformer Low Oil Level
ANSI-49 – Transformer High Winding Temperature
ANSI-26 – Transformer High Oil Temperature
To fulfill the customer’s desired requirements, our team investigated the internal circuitry of the switchgear lineups and ascertained the specific AC/DC control modifications required at the existing. Work performed under this project included the following:
Examining and analyzing the components and sub-components of the existing switchgear lineups.
Tracing the existing 35kV class and 15kV class vacuum circuit breakers to determine the existing field configuration.
Developing modified equipment shop drawings for approval, construction, and as-built conditions.
Programming and configuration of SEL relays to establish system protection, controls, and integration with the facility’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System.
Installing and modifying existing 35kV class and 15kV class vacuum circuit breaker controls to accommodate the new substation transformer and transformer protection relay.
Developing Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals for modified electrical equipment lineups.
On-site electrical equipment training for airport maintenance personnel.
A complete replacement of switchgear is often unnecessary and can be costly. It won’t cost you anything to hear our specific recommendations on how to minimize your cost and schedule impact.
