Medium Voltage Power Distribution in Afghanistan

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Just as we do here in the United States, ISI takes the knowledge and ability to transmit electricity at higher voltages and then step-down that power using transformers for the desired end-use voltage for the connected load in foreign lands to support our U.S. Military.  ISI engineers evaluate each project to determine the cost-effectiveness of providing a medium-voltage distribution power grid for the project in question.  Naturally, the project size is the major determining factor in these decisions.  ISI has installed numerous medium-voltage power grids, ranging from 4160V to 13.8kV grids, in both 50Hz and 60Hz installations, and in overhead and underground applications or a combination thereof.
By implementing medium-voltage distribution, the up-front cost of the installation is normally less expensive because of the material savings associated with the installation.  Yes, medium-voltage power distribution systems do require manpower with additional skillsets but ISI maintains the best, fully-trained and licensed electrical staff in-theater totally capable of installing and maintaining these systems.  These capabilities set us apart from other U.S. and local contractors in the region.  Also, with these projects being located in a part of the world not affiliated with the National Electric Code® and its implementation, ISI’s role is key to providing NEC® complaint installations that provide the highest level of safety for our troops serving at these installations. 

At one of the largest bases at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan, ISI began engineering, and installing the 13.8kV power distribution grid in 2004.  ISI has installed 32.75km (20 miles) of single-circuit and multi-circuit overhead distribution lines on the base originating from the medium-voltage switchgear at the 56MW power generation plant.  The overhead distribution network is broken up into five (5) 600A, 13.8kV circuits and ISI has built-in redundancy into the system as well.  This redundancy allows for critical loads to be switched to a hot circuit in the event that an overhead feeder circuit trips offline.  This adds reliability to the grid ISI has put into place reassuring the U.S. Military their critical facilities will not be offline.  There is also approximately 15km (9 miles) of medium-voltage underground distribution in place and more than four-hundred (400) pad-mount transformers located throughout the base with countless main-distribution panel boards in place that feed the end-user loads. 

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