Customer Challenge

Known for its School of Engineering, the University of São Paulo at São Carlos is one of Brazil’s most prestigious higher-learning institutions, with more than 7,000 students and 1,700 employees. The São Carlos site is the university’s newest campus, and it was designed so the electric grid and its supportive equipment had to be underground. Any above-ground access had to be visually discreet.

The school’s growing population of students and staff has resulted in an increased demand for reliable electric power, and both aesthetic and technical factors became important as the university sought solutions. Ultimately, the university needed an efficient, secure, and reliable medium-voltage network supported by equipment that required little maintenance because the school had limited electrician support.

S&C and its equipment are well recognized in Brazil. With the high-quality standard of Vista Switchgear, we can ensure the university has a safer and more-reliable network, while preserving the campus aesthetics.
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Hersa Engineering

S&C Solution

Hersa Engineering, the engineering firm responsible for the project, hired S&C Electric Company to help fulfill the university’s equipment demands. S&C previously provided the school with various electrical equipment, including Omni-Rupter® Switches and Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear. Hersa also sought to tap into S&C’s expertise in today’s power-grid needs.

S&C’s Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear is providing the University of São Paulo with a low-profile medium-voltage distribution solution.

A Vista® Underground Distribution Switchgear unit is being installed on a concrete pad in the foreground. The sealed metal interior of the unit is exposed, and the green enclosure that will cover it sits on a wood pallet on the grass in the background. The unit has nine protruding bushings covered by yellow caps. Its base rests on a dug-out part of the concrete pad, and beneath it is a further dug-out space of unknown depth.

Initial installation of Vista Switchgear at the São Carlos campus of the University of São Paulo.

S&C identified the 15-kV Pad-Mounted Style Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear as the best solution to meet the university’s requirements because of its low profile and ease of installation. The Vista switchgear takes up relatively little real estate, and its sealed, submersible tank resists contamination and corrosion.

During the installation, S&C hosted a training day for all university electricians during which it showed them how to operate and maintain the new switchgear. The training reviewed safety rules, provided instruction on operational features, and shared key advantages to using underground networks throughout the campus. The training helped outline day-to-day operating and future maintenance needs.

Results

The Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear met all project requirements, including maintaining a low profile. S&C also delivered the Vista Switchgear in 90 days, which enabled Hersa to meet the university’s tight installation deadline. The switchgear is helping the university to reduce operating costs because it requires less time and labor to operate and maintain than would conventional underground distribution equipment.

The fully installed Vista switchgear unit, complete with its dark green S&C-branded enclosure, sits on its concrete pad in the foreground. Evidence of the installation work is present, including a now-empty wood pallet in the foreground, freshly dug dirt around the concrete pad, and scattered materials on the grass. In the background are a row of trees, a row of parked vehicles, and a road.

Completed installation of the Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear.

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