Pennsylvania Convention Center · Philadelphia, PA · 2025
The Project to modernize Twenty-two (22) Unit Substations with the Exhibit Hall and Train Shed Building changed when Maida Engineering, Inc. showed that the twenty two (22) Unit Substations could be replaced with more efficient and reliable Unit Substations for about the same cost and the Dangerous Arc Flash Level within them could be reduced to about 12 cals/cm2 with an increase in cost of about 20%.
Efficiency and reliability are inherent benefits of installing new equipment, arc flash mitigation required the use of transformer differential relays and a power monitoring and advisory system. Project construction should be started in the next few months with total replacement be performed over five years.
The engineering and design project won the 2025 Outstanding Engineering Award for the Delaware Valley.
The rejuvenation program spans three major work packages: replacement of thirteen (13) Normal/Emergency Power Automatic Transfer Switches using ABB TrueOne units sized to fit existing enclosures and connected to PACC's LAN for real-time generator load monitoring; replacement of protective relays, meters, and door-mounted devices within the 13.2 KV Service Entrance Switchgear including new 230 VAC trip circuits and a dedicated LAN system; and full replacement of twenty-two (22) 13.2 KV Unit Substations with arc flash mitigation via transformer differential relays and a Power Monitoring and Advisory Panel.
