TierPoint’s Lenexa, Kansas data center comprises 56,000 square feet, supporting a wide range of customers. Their standby power system is anchored by two Cat® 3516C diesel generator sets that supply a combined 2.5 MW of power to the data center. Electrical power is controlled via two identical switchgear rooms that ensure redundancy should one of the two sides experience a failure.
Paralleling switchgear is a key component that needs to be maintained so that it can transfer emergency loads from a standby generator at a moment’s notice. Based on the recommendation from its Cat dealer, they opted for an upgrade to 4,000 amp, 480V low voltage switchgear. In advance of the installation, Andrew Watkins, manager of TierPoint’s Lenexa data center, visited the Cat Switchgear facility in Alpharetta, Ga. as part of a factory witness test.
“Not only did I get to go out and test run my upgrade, but I got to see it actually being built out,” said Watkins.
The modernization includes new PLC processors, enhanced graphics, timers, and color-coded alarms. Updated HMI software and new graphics were integrated into the system to provide better recognition of alarms and a clearer understanding of how to operate the system. The Cat dealer provides ongoing support and maintenance of TierPoint’s standby power system.
