Kinshasa Financial Centre is a finance and office building in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On this project Devpan supplied the Form 4b main distribution boards, a supply arrangement suited to generator-led operation and enclosure solutions for a tropical climate.
Electrical Profile of the Project
- LocationKinshasa, DR Congo
- Building typeFinancial centre
- 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
In regions where mains quality is variable, the electrical design of office and finance buildings does not assume the grid to be the only source. The generator is not a standby solution but a regular part of operation, which means the transfer arrangement, fuel management and load prioritisation have to be planned from the outset.
At Kinshasa Financial Centre the loads are divided into priority classes. When the mains fails it is not the whole generator capacity that is taken up but the priority loads that are fed, with the secondary loads picked up in stages. The branch backed by the uninterruptible power supply feeds the data and communications systems. Because of the tropical climate, enclosure surface treatment, condensation control and the ventilation arrangement are calculated separately.
Devpan Scope and Switchboard Architecture
The Devpan scope reaches from main distribution to the floor and tenant panels and the generator transfer arrangement.
- Main distribution boards (DevPanel): 2,500 A class, 65 kA / 1 s, main distribution with Form 4b internal separation.
- Generator transfer and load prioritisation: Priority and secondary loads collected on separate branches, with a staged pick-up arrangement.
- Floor and tenant panels (DevBox): Tenant-level metering and protection.
- Power factor correction (DevComp): Detuned stepped compensation that remains stable on the generator supply as well.
- Lighting and power panels (DevPower): Common area, car park and emergency lighting circuits.
Technical Configuration
| Installed power | ≈ 4,800 kVA |
|---|---|
| Transformer configuration | 3 × 1,600 kVA |
| Medium voltage level | 20 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 4b |
| 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
Load prioritisation and staged pick-up
When the mains fails the generator does not take on the whole load at once. Priority loads are picked up first and secondary loads in stages, which limits the sudden load step on the generator.
Compensation on the generator supply
While running on the generator, uncontrolled switching of capacitor stages can lead to voltage instability; compensation control is arranged according to the generator mode.
Tropical climate and enclosure protection
Because of the high humidity and temperature the enclosure surface treatment is upgraded, heaters are used against condensation and ventilation is calculated for a high ambient temperature.
Mains quality and protection settings
On networks with wide voltage fluctuation, voltage monitoring relays and phase protection devices are planned to protect sensitive equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the design change in countries where mains quality is variable?
It changes in three respects: the generator is planned as a regular source rather than a standby one, the loads are divided into priority classes and picked up in stages, and voltage monitoring and phase protection devices are added to protect sensitive equipment. Unless all three are arranged together, generator capacity is used inefficiently.
What is the installed power at Kinshasa Financial Centre?
A finance and office building 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 side is at 20 kV.
How is compensation managed on the generator supply?
A generator has a far higher source impedance than the mains. Uncontrolled switching of capacitor stages can lead to voltage rise or instability. The compensation controller is therefore arranged to detect generator mode and to limit the number of stages switched in.
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