An Overview of the Current Development Status of Prefabricated Cabin Equipment

Prefabricated modular equipment has been studied and applied abroad for quite some time. As early as the mid-1980s in the United States, such equipment was already being used in fully modular 33kV substations. In the 1990s, Japan saw the emergence of fully modular 66kV substations that also utilized prefabricated equipment compartments. The container-type electrical cabins introduced by ABB have already seen extensive application in the Middle East region.

In China, 35kV and 10kV packaged substations have been widely adopted in engineering projects. Containerized SVG equipment, containerized DC ice-melting devices, and containerized photovoltaic inverters are also extensively used.

In 2013, State Grid Corporation of China launched the construction of a demonstration project for a new-generation smart substation, proposing the construction principles of “standardized design, factory-based manufacturing, modular construction, and mechanized operations.” Following these principles, virtually no conventional buildings can be seen in the new-generation smart substations; instead, prefabricated cabin-type integrated equipment has taken their place.

In the State Grid Corporation’s next-generation smart substation demonstration project, the Chongqing Dashishi 220kV substation and the Hubei Weilai Cheng 110kV substation are AIS substations, both of which utilize prefabricated modular equipment.

Our company is a manufacturer specializing in the design and production of special-purpose containers (including functional modules, electrical equipment cabinets, water treatment equipment cabinets, and other types of equipment boxes), container-based mobile structures (such as camping units, dormitories, and office buildings), standard and non-standard land transportation containers, wing-type display boxes, and color steel panel houses. We also sell containers, curtain-sided boxes, and accessories for wing-type display boxes.

Selection Principles for Prefabricated Cabin Shells

    (1) The exterior design is aesthetically pleasing and elegant, harmonizing with the surrounding environment. For example, the exterior of the container is kept as simple as possible; the dimensions and placement of components such as air conditioners and ventilation openings are designed reasonably; and the color selection for the container is in harmony with the colors of nearby transformers and high-voltage switchgear.

(2) When selecting the dimensions of the cabin container, it is necessary to take into account the requirements for equipment handling and retrieval, layout arrangements, and transportation.

(3) Reduce external wiring on prefabricated cabins and design a unified interface.

(4) The screen layout should be reasonable, and the space for operation and maintenance access channels should be maximized as much as possible.

(5) Equipment installation and wiring within the prefabricated cabin should be completed in the factory as much as possible, while on-site work should focus on connecting the prefabricated cabin to external equipment.

Classification of Prefabricated Modules

Currently, in power engineering, prefabricated modular equipment is mainly categorized into two types based on the number of compartments: prefabricated compartments and combined prefabricated compartments.

Dimensions of the prefabricated cabin

According to the requirements for the construction of distributed intelligent substations and in conjunction with the "Regulations on the Management of Highway Transportation of Overdimensional Vehicles," prefabricated cabins are primarily categorized into Type I, Type II, and Type III.

I Prefabricated Module: Length × Width × Height: 6,200 mm × 2,800 mm × 3,133 mm (external dimensions)

    II Prefabricated Module: Length × Width × Height: 9,200 mm × 2,800 mm × 3,133 mm (external dimensions)

    III Prefabricated Module: Length × Width × Height: 12,200 mm × 2,800 mm × 3,133 mm (external dimensions)

Dimensions of the prefabricated modular cabin

    Based on actual engineering requirements, combined prefabricated cabins have been developed from standard prefabricated cabins. A combined prefabricated cabin is assembled by joining two identical prefabricated cabins; the interior and exterior requirements of the combined cabin are the same as those of a single prefabricated cabin.

I Prefabricated Module: Length × Width × Height: 6,200 mm × 5,600 mm × 3,133 mm (external dimensions)

    II Prefabricated Module: 9,200mm (length) × 5,600mm (width) × 3,133mm (height) (external dimensions)

    III Prefabricated Module: 12,200 mm (length) × 5,600 mm (width) × 3,133 mm (height) (external dimensions)

(During transportation, the assembled combined prefabricated cabin must be disassembled into two separate prefabricated cabins and transported to the site, where they will be reassembled.)

Advantages of prefabricated cabins and modular prefabricated cabins over traditional buildings:

Significantly reduce on-site wet work and shorten the construction period for substation civil works. The primary and secondary equipment are designed and commissioned in an integrated manner. Equipment is designed in a modular fashion, custom-made in factories, and assembled on-site in a modular configuration, enabling “plug-and-play” installation and greatly reducing the workload associated with on-site construction and commissioning, thereby shortening the time to operational readiness.