Safi Hotel, Benin is an accommodation building in West Africa, in a region where network continuity is limited. On this project Devpan supplied the main distribution boards, a transfer arrangement suited to generator-led operation and enclosure solutions for a tropical climate.
Electrical Profile of the Project
- LocationBenin
- Building typeHotel and hospitality
- Installed power≈ 2,500 kVA
- Transformer configuration2 × 1,250 kVA
- Main busbar rated current2 × 1,600 A
- Short-time withstand current (Icw)50 kA / 1 s
- Devpan scopeLow voltage switchboards, engineering and site coordination
- Verification standardIEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2
About the Project
In regions where network interruptions are frequent, a hotel operation has to plan the generator as its main source rather than as a standby one. That means the transfer arrangement, the fuel consumption and the load prioritisation are designed from the outset. Otherwise the generator capacity is used inefficiently and the operating cost rises.
At Safi Hotel, Benin the loads are divided into priority classes. When the network fails, life safety, the lifts and the reception systems come on first, then the guest room groups and finally the secondary comfort loads. Because of the tropical climate, the enclosure surface treatment and condensation control are planned separately; and as the ambient temperature is high, busbar cross-sections are increased by a derating calculation.
Devpan Scope and Switchboard Architecture
The Devpan scope reaches from low voltage main distribution to the guest room floor boards and the generator transfer arrangement.
- Main distribution boards (DevPanel): 1,600 A class, 50 kA / 1 s, main distribution with derating applied for ambient temperature.
- Generator transfer and load prioritisation: Priority, secondary and comfort loads collected on separate branches.
- Guest room floor boards (DevBox): Separately protected supply for each room group.
- Kitchen and technical area branches: Separately metered, high-power supply.
- Power factor correction (DevComp) and lighting (DevPower): Compensation that remains stable in generator mode, outdoor site lighting.
Technical Configuration
| Installed power | ≈ 2,500 kVA |
|---|---|
| Transformer configuration | 2 × 1,250 kVA |
| Medium voltage level | 20 kV |
| Low voltage / frequency | 400 / 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Main busbar rated current | 2 × 1,600 A |
| Short-time withstand current (Icw) | 50 kA / 1 s |
| Form of internal separation | Form 3b |
| Degree of protection (IP) | IP41 – IP54 |
| Generator back-up | 1 × 800 kVA |
| Verification standard | IEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2 |
Devpan Products Used in This Project
Project-Specific Engineering Topics
Planning the generator as the main source
Because the generator running hours are high, fuel consumption and the maintenance interval are part of the design; load prioritisation allows the generator capacity to be used efficiently.
High ambient temperature and derating
As the ambient temperature rises the current-carrying capacity of busbars and cables falls; cross-sections are increased with a correction factor for the highest expected temperature.
Condensation and humidity control
At high humidity, condensation inside the board shortens equipment life; an anti-condensation heater and filtered ventilation are used together.
Compensation in generator mode
The source impedance of a generator is higher than that of the network; the compensation controller detects generator mode and limits the number of steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the design arranged in regions with frequent network interruptions?
The generator is planned as a regular source rather than a standby one. Loads are divided into priority classes and picked up in stages at the moment of an interruption, which limits the sudden load step on the generator and uses its capacity efficiently. Fuel consumption is a direct result of that plan as well.
What is the installed power at Safi Hotel, Benin?
A hotel project of this scale has an installed power of approximately 2,500 kVA, with a typical transformer configuration of 2 x 1,250 kVA. The main busbar is rated at 2 x 1,600 A and the medium voltage level within the facility is 20 kV.
Why are busbar cross-sections increased in a tropical climate?
Because current-carrying capacity depends on the ambient temperature. The temperature inside the board is the outdoor ambient temperature plus the rise caused by the power losses. If the outdoor ambient is already high, the internal temperature approaches the limit value quickly, so cross-sections are increased by applying a correction factor.
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