Erbil 500-Bed State Hospital is a large public hospital in Erbil, Iraq. Devpan supplied the main distribution, medical area, mechanical services and power factor correction panels for the project.
Electrical Profile of the Project
- LocationErbil, Iraq
- Building typeHospital
- Installed power≈ 6,400 kVA
- Transformer configuration4 × 1,600 kVA
- Main busbar rated current2 × 3,200 A
- Short-time withstand current (Icw)65 kA / 1 s
- Devpan scopeLow voltage switchboards, engineering and site coordination
- Verification standardIEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2
About the Project
In a 500-bed hospital, a power interruption is far more than an inconvenience: operating theatres, intensive care units, imaging equipment and medical gas systems all depend on continuous supply. In Erbil, summer temperatures above 45 °C push cooling demand very high, while load shedding and voltage fluctuations can be frequent on the regional network. Under these conditions a hospital has to be designed to run on its own backup sources for extended periods.
For a hospital of this scale, the typical architecture is an 11 kV medium-voltage supply feeding approximately 4 × 1,600 kVA transformers and a two-section 2 × 3,200 A main distribution. Loads are divided into normal, safety and uninterruptible groups; 2 × 1,250 kVA generators operating in synchronism take over priority loads during outages, while critical medical areas are supported by UPS and isolated power systems. Form 4a to Form 4b separation allows safe maintenance while the hospital remains in operation.
Devpan Scope and Switchboard Architecture
Devpan’s scope runs from the main distribution downstream of the transformers to operating theatre and ICU supplies and the mechanical plant.
- Main distribution boards (DevPanel): typically 2 × 3,200 A, 65 kA / 1 s, Form 4a – Form 4b, with normal and generator busbars and automatic transfer.
- Motor control centres (DevControl): MCCs for chillers, AHUs, medical gas plant and booster pumps.
- Sub-distribution boards (DevBox): boards for wards, operating theatres, ICU and imaging departments, IP31 – IP41.
- Power factor correction (DevComp): detuned compensation for imaging equipment and drive loads.
- Lighting and power panels (DevPower): supplies for corridors, patient rooms, emergency lighting and external areas.
Technical Configuration
| Installed power | ≈ 6,400 kVA |
|---|---|
| Transformer configuration | 4 × 1,600 kVA |
| Medium voltage level | 11 kV |
| Low voltage / frequency | 400 / 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Main busbar rated current | 2 × 3,200 A |
| Short-time withstand current (Icw) | 65 kA / 1 s |
| Form of internal separation | Form 4a – Form 4b |
| Degree of protection (IP) | IP31 – IP41 |
| Generator back-up | 2 × 1,250 kVA |
| Verification standard | IEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2 |
Devpan Products Used in This Project
Project-Specific Engineering Topics
Load classification
Normal, safety and uninterruptible loads are separated onto dedicated busbars, and generator capacity is sized for the areas that truly must never lose power.
Medical location supplies
Isolated power systems in theatres and ICU keep equipment running and raise an alarm on a first insulation fault instead of tripping.
High-temperature derating
Busbar sections, breaker ratings and switchroom cooling are selected with Erbil’s summer ambient temperatures in mind.
Parallel generator operation
Two synchronised generators share load and give maintenance flexibility; with one unit out of service, the other still carries priority loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the installed power for a hospital of the scale of Erbil 500-Bed State Hospital?
For a hospital of this scale the installed power is approximately 6,400 kVA, with a typical transformer configuration of 4 × 1,600 kVA. The main busbar is typically 2 × 3,200 A rated 65 kA / 1 s; the site MV level is 11 kV, and generators of around 2 × 1,250 kVA provide backup.
Why are Form 4a to Form 4b switchboards used in hospitals?
A hospital can never be fully shut down. With Form 4 separation each feeder and its terminals sit in their own compartment, so one circuit can be worked on while other departments stay energised.
How are critical devices supplied until the generators start?
Generators need a few seconds to take over. During that time operating theatres, intensive care and IT systems are carried by UPS units.
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Send us your single-line diagram, your transformer rating or simply your load list. Our engineering team runs the short-circuit and discrimination study and defines the form of separation and busbar cross-section with you.
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