Premier Foods

Premier Foods, one of Britain’s largest listed food companies are committed to the UK, employing over 4,000 dedicated colleagues at 15 sites and offices up and down the country. Their product ranges include but are not limited to many well-known brands, such as Ambrosia, Bachelors, Cadbury cakes, Loyd Grossman and Mr Kippling. 

Premier Foods approached SPE to replace some of their existing switchgear breakers with a more environmentally friendly alternative that removes the need for oil insulating material in the Substation. Our new switchgear product range provides reduced maintenance costs and no requirement to test or change oil. The new range of retrofits can replace both the high type and low type switchgear. The photographs show phase one of the project where the two left hand SWS high type oil circuit breakers (on a roll out/roll in approach) were replaced with very limited intervention. The wiring was configured to match the existing scheme to limit time on site. The product also offers motor charge and electrical closing which in turn can be used for remote operation – an improvement to the previously existing arrangements on site. 

The Retrofits like our Orion product use the latest advanced technology and manufacturing process utilising an environmentally friendly approach with the use of Vacuum interrupters, replacing the need for oil or SF6 gas. The retrofits increased the life of the switchboard without the need for civil work required in replacing a new switchboard. 

As part of our available products range and to enhance the obsolete SWS High we also supplied our own specially designed Earthing Device for use on both the oil filled and retrofit VCB during transition to the finally fitted product. Our customer is extremely pleased with the solution and products. Accordingly, two further breakers for the remaining circuits were ordered and supplied.