MEPIS was commissioned by Northwestern University to perform an assessment of the existing low voltage (120/208V) electrical distribution infrastructure of the Allen Center Building. This 4-story (with basement), 182,000 GSF building serves as a hotel and conference center for University guests. Complicating the assessment was an artifact of the building’s construction history: the building had separate utility services for the North and South sections, which were built at different times, without interconnection. MEPIS reviewed existing Northwestern drawings and riser diagrams and performed a thorough survey of the building to verify the equipment. Revised as-built one-line riser diagrams of the electrical distribution system were generated. The survey documented the entire electrical system including feeder sizes and lengths, overcurrent protection device models and settings, and nameplate data for transformers and large motors. Using this survey information, a short circuit and coordination study and arc flash analysis was performed using SKM power system analysis software. A report with one-line diagrams was generated summarizing the findings, including highlighting failed equipment buses, suggested overcurrent device settings, and arc flash hazard ratings with associated labels.
