The Mission: Deliver urgent switchgear maintenance and a controls upgrade for this leading Portlethan supermarket.
When you’re responsible for keeping a busy retail site running, there can be no uncertainty regarding switchgear performance. CBES spotted some serious red flags in the system at one of their locations in Portlethen – flagged as RED risk, with the asset either already failing or likely to fail any moment. Safety and reliability were on the line, so they brought in Canning to resolve the issues.
The Solution
The switchgear system was in a severely degraded condition. A failing heater and outdated controls meant that without intervention, power failure was imminent, presenting significant safety risks. CBES needed an urgent, expert-led solution to get the controls upgraded and safeguard the site’s infrastructure going forward.
Getting Set Up
We arrived on site, got permits signed off, and carried out a full Dynamic Risk Assessment to make sure the works could proceed safely. With the area secure, we prepped for a controlled shutdown, working closely with the site team to plan the switch without interrupting day-to-day operations. We know how important that is in retail environments, so planning and timing were critical.
“A failing heater and outdated controls meant that without intervention, power failure was imminent, presenting significant safety risks.”
Controller Replacement & System Upgrade
The first task was to remove the outdated Deep Sea controller and install a new unit. To keep things compatible, we flashed the new unit with the original programme, making sure it matched the existing system setup. At the same time, we replaced the faulty heater in the switchgear enclosure, which was exhibiting signs of failure.
Once everything was in place, we restored mains power and moved into the commissioning phase.
Testing & Finishing Up
A full series of system checks and adjustments followed. We adjusted the controller settings to match the new hardware, making sure everything was working exactly as it should. Then we ran a series of validation tests – off-load, shutdown, and on-load tests using the key switch – to check the system’s reliability during transitions. The new controller performed reliably, with seamless changeover and no faults.
Once testing was done, we returned the controller to auto and restored the site to a clean and orderly condition, with all waste removed. Permits were closed, paperwork sorted, and the job wrapped up to our usual high standard.
Conclusion
CBES now has a much more reliable and up-to-date switchgear setup at their Portlethen site, thanks to a full controls upgrade and heater replacement carried out by the Canning team. We addressed a high-risk situation quickly and professionally, giving the client peace of mind and a power system built to last.
This project demonstrates Canning’s ability to deliver high-quality results with speed, technical expertise, and reliability under pressure.
