Jeddah Rixos Hotel is a hotel project operated in the extreme heat and humidity of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On this project Devpan manufactured the main distribution boards and the guest room block boards to a design with derating applied for the high ambient temperature.
Electrical Profile of the Project
- LocationJeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Building typeHotel and hospitality
- Installed power≈ 4,800 kVA
- Transformer configuration3 × 1,600 kVA
- Main busbar rated current2 × 2,500 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
On projects in the Gulf region it is not the load alone but the climate that governs the electrical design. On sites where the ambient temperature stays above 45 °C for long periods, the temperature inside the board approaches its limit value quickly. Add the salt-laden, humid air of the coast and both the thermal design and the choice of materials depart from standard practice.
At Jeddah Rixos Hotel the busbar and cable cross-sections are increased by applying a correction factor for the highest expected ambient temperature. Air conditioning of the switchrooms is treated as part of the design. The cooling load is the item that sets the hotel’s peak; the chiller groups are fed from a dedicated motor control centre through variable speed drive outgoing ways. The medium voltage level within the facility is 13.8 kV.
Devpan Scope and Switchboard Architecture
The Devpan scope reaches from low voltage main distribution to the guest room floor boards and the mechanical services motor control centre.
- Main distribution boards (DevPanel): 2,500 A class, 65 kA / 1 s, main distribution with derating applied for the high ambient temperature.
- Motor control centres (DevControl): Chiller groups, air handling units and pump outgoing ways; cubicles with variable speed drives.
- Guest room floor boards (DevBox): Separately protected supply and local metering for each room group.
- Kitchen, laundry and spa branches: Separately metered supply with a degree of protection suited to a humid environment.
- Power factor correction (DevComp) and lighting (DevPower): Detuned compensation, lobby, façade and landscape lighting.
Technical Configuration
| Installed power | ≈ 4,800 kVA |
|---|---|
| Transformer configuration | 3 × 1,600 kVA |
| Medium voltage level | 13.8 kV |
| Low voltage / frequency | 400 / 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Main busbar rated current | 2 × 2,500 A |
| Short-time withstand current (Icw) | 65 kA / 1 s |
| Form of internal separation | Form 3b – Form 4a |
| Degree of protection (IP) | IP41 – IP54 |
| Generator back-up | 2 × 1,000 kVA |
| Verification standard | IEC 61439-1, IEC 61439-2 |
Devpan Products Used in This Project
Project-Specific Engineering Topics
Derating at high ambient temperature
When the ambient temperature rises above 45 °C the current-carrying capacity of busbars and cables falls noticeably; cross-sections are increased by applying a correction factor.
Switchroom air conditioning
The power losses inside the board raise the room temperature directly. The cooling load of the switchroom is calculated and treated as part of the design.
Salt-laden air and corrosion
On the coast the enclosure surface treatment is selected to a higher corrosion class, and the gaskets and mounting components are specified accordingly.
Dominance of the cooling load
Cooling is the item that sets the hotel’s peak load. Variable speed drive outgoing ways raise efficiency at part load and limit the starting step change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a switchboard sized in extremely hot climates?
Sizing is carried out for the highest expected ambient temperature. Busbar and cable cross-sections are increased with a correction factor, the cooling load of the switchroom is calculated and the internal layout is arranged so that heat-generating components are spread out. A design based on the standard 35 °C assumption falls short in these conditions.
What is the installed power at Jeddah Rixos Hotel?
A hotel project of this scale has an installed power of approximately 4,800 kVA, with a typical transformer configuration of 3 x 1,600 kVA. The main busbar is rated at 2 x 2,500 A and the medium voltage level within the facility is 13.8 kV.
Why is the cooling load decisive on Gulf projects?
Because the cooling systems run close to full capacity for most of the year. Chiller groups and air handling units make up a significant part of the hotel’s total installed power, so both the transformer selection and the motor control centre design follow the cooling scenario.
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Trabzon Radisson HotelHotel and hospitality · Trabzon, TürkiyeDo you have a project of a similar scale?
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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