 Metway Electrical Industries is supplying a pre-fabricated wiring system for a state-of-the-art scientific research centre in Antarctica, being built to house up to 52 members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, the revolutionary new station incorporates seven 60-tonne laboratory, energy and sleeping modules raised on giant legs and booted with skis. There is also a separate large module, which houses all the administrative and living facilities.
The elevated modular configuration lifts Halley VI above accumulating surface snow (up to 1.5 metres per year) and enables it to be moved periodically to accommodate shifts and cracks in its location on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
Working with M&E supply contractor Merit Merrell Technology and consultants Faber Maunsell, Metway’s Wiring System Division has put forward a pre-fabricated wiring solution designed to supply all luminaires and small power units. Features include:
- Metway “Superflex” cabling housing an additional twisted pair together with the 4-core mains rated flexible cable in the same outer sheathing
- Metway GST Connectors, with colour and mechanical coding to allow all pluggable parts to latch
- Additional cabling to accommodate a DALI lighting control system
- A range of Metway Tee modules and accessories to create a complete and robust off-site wiring solution.
Steve Chessell, Wiring Systems General Manager for Metway, explained: “The system needed to be completely foolproof and able to withstand the extraordinarily hostile environment, where external temperatures can fall to - 55ºC and gales can reach 100 mph. We had to allow for rapid and easy installation, because work is being carried out to a tight timescale and with no room for error.”
The Halley VI modules, incorporating the Metway pre-fabricated wiring system, are currently being shipped via Cape Town for onward shipping to Antarctica for construction over three Antarctic summer seasons. Halley VI is due to become operational in December 2010. |