UQ St Lucia Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades:

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Project Overview and Background

Maxwell Electrotech Pty Ltd was engaged by the University of Queensland (UQ) to perform a comprehensive Arc Flash Assessment and provide engineering support for the upgrade of key electrical infrastructure across multiple buildings within the UQ network. The primary aim of this project was to address arc flash risk, ensure compliance with Australian Standards (AS/NZS), and improve the safety and reliability of the electrical network.

The project was initiated to support UP's broader initiative to modernise its electrical infrastructure, enhance switchboard performance, and reduce operational hazards. Maxwell Electrotech provided strategic engineering expertise and technical guidance, ensuring that the solutions delivered would meet both immediate operational needs and long-term network resilience.

Maxwell Electrotech was engaged to support multiple projects across the UQ campus including:

• Building 69 MSB Upgrade

• Connell Building MSB Upgrade

• Substation 17, 19 & 24 LV MSB Upgrades

• Chamberlain Building MSB Upgrade

• Banksia Building MSB Replacement

• QBI and AIBN Building ACB Upgrades

Each of these projects required tailored engineering services to address specific electrical risks, operational requirments, and safety concerns.

Project outcomes and impact

Maxwell Electrotech successfully delivered key engineering outputs and strategic recommendations to improve UP's electrical infrastructure safety and reliability. The comprehensive arc flash studies and protection coordination strategies ensured that the upgraded switchboards met industry standards while minimising operational risks. The project's success reflects Maxwell Electrotech's expertise in electrical design, safety analysis, and project management. The ongoing collaboration with UQ positions Maxwell Electrotech as a trusted partner for future infrastructure upgrades.

Project Deliverables

Power System Analysis

• Short Circuit Fault Current Calculations: Utilising SKM PTW 32 software to assess the maximum and minimum fault current levels across switchboards and protective devices.

• Protection Coordination Studies: Ensured protective devices across each network were correctly graded to provide effective fault clearance while minimising disruption.

• Arc Flash Study and PPE Requirements: Determined the incident energy levels at key switchboard locations, specifying required PPE levels and appropriate labelling in accordance with IEEE 1584 and AS/NZS 4836:2023 distribution boards, and variable speed drives.

Risk Mitigation and Safety Enhancements

• Remote Operating Panels (ROPs): To improve operator safety, ROPs were introduced to allow personnel to conduct switching operations from a safe distance. This reduced exposure to hazardous conditions, particularly from MSBs with high incident energy levels.

• Adaptive Protection Settings: To further enhance safety, protection settings were designed to allow lower fault current settings to activate when personnel were present in the switchroom.

• Arc Protected Zones: Implemented through insulated conductors, phase barriers, and terminal covers, reducing the likelihood of an arc flash incident in critical areas of the MSB.

• Integration of Arc Flash Relays: Where required, Arc Flash Relays were specified to reduce trip times and limit fault clearing durations to improve safety outcomes.

Tendering Support and Documentation

• Prepare Switchboard Datasheets: Including key technical specifications for new switchboards, including recommended protection devices, cable sizes and compartment designs.

• Prepare Arc Flash Labels: Each project included suggested arc flash labelling documenting arc flash boundaries and PPE requirements to simplify compliance for contractors and site personnel.

Client and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Supplier Coordination: Coordinating with switchboard manufacturers to ensure designs aligned with the proposed protection strategies.

• Client Engagement: Working directly with UQ's internal engineering team to develop synchronisation strategies for interconnected switchboards.

• Investigations: Conducting site visits to confirm electrical infrastructure details and validate assumptions during the assessment process.

• Witness Testing: Participating in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) to verify the correct implementation of synchronisation and protection coordination measures.

Challenges and issues overcome

Throughout the project, Maxwell Electrotech overcame several key challenges to deliver successful outcomes. High incident energy at the incomer connections was mitigated by installing Arc Flash Relays, which reduced trip times and improved protection response. The complexity of synchronised supply operations was addressed through the development of detailed control schematics and a synchronisation strategy, ensuring consistent and reliable supply. High PPE requirements for line-side operations were reduced by implementing arc mitigation strategies, remote switching, and enhanced switchboard containment.