Where the Plant Gets Its Power 

Everything else on the job fed from the switchboards, which made them the starting point. A transcritical CO2 plant runs compressors, gas cooler fans and evaporators, and the boards had to carry all of it. 

Feeding the Refrigeration Equipment 

From the boards, we ran power supplies out to the refrigeration equipment. 

Cut flowers and foliage don’t last long out of the cold. A dependable supply to the plant is what keeps that stock in condition. 

Bringing the Controls Together 

Our scope also took in the controls for the refrigeration system. They keep each part of the plant running in the right order and at the right temperature, and any error here shows up as soon as the system starts. 

Giving Staff Warning of a Leak 

CO2 has no colour or smell, and it’s toxic at concentrations well below the point where it would displace the oxygen in a room. Nobody working in a cool room would know a leak was happening without help. 

The system we put in monitors gas levels continuously and triggers audible alarms and visual warning beacons if levels climb. Staff get two kinds of warning, one to hear and one to see. 

Project Challenges and Solutions 

Precision Across Three Teams 

Electrical, refrigeration and commissioning each had their own part to play on the same system. Our switchboards, power and controls had to line up with the refrigeration team’s plant, and the commissioning team needed both to work as designed. 

A mismatch between any two would have surfaced at commissioning and held everyone up. Our focus was getting the electrical side right the first time. 

Detecting a Gas That Sits Low 

CO2 is about one and a half times heavier than air. In a still, enclosed space, a leak tends to settle near the floor. 

The detection system had to be set up for that, with sensors placed where the gas would actually build up. 

Client Feedback 

The client now has its transcritical CO2 refrigeration system complete and in place. That’s down to solid work from everyone involved.