NJI&NDC revitalized aged 26–5kV substation breakers and auxiliaries

The Jersey City-based New Jersey International & Network Distribution Center (NJI&NDC), the largest United States Postal mail Service facility, was dealing with a dilemma regarding its aging 26,000 & 5,000 V primary, medium and low voltage power distribution systems. Initially, the NJ-NDC explored the possibility of demolishing and installing new high, medium and low voltage electrical equipment. When faced with the question of whether to retrofit or replace the Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Allis-Chalmers breakers, the NJI&NDC Maintenance team decided collectively to replace the 26,000 V circuit breakers and retrofit the 5,000 V breakers. In May 2009, we successfully completed retrofitting breakers and auxiliaries. By implementing this cost-effective, energy efficient and safety enhancing option, the USPS saved several thousand dollars in capital and operating costs. This improvement also increased overall reliabilities and reduced risk.