Overview

A home shopping multi-channel leader, Ideal Shopping Direct was forced off air for several hours following a major power failure at a local substation. When power company, UK Power Networks, provided a 1200kVA standby generator, Ideal Shopping enlisted the help of Shenton Group. To avoid a break in power supplies when Ideal Shopping was reconnected to mains power, Shenton Group introduced a reconnection strategy involving a standby generator fitted with a hi-tech electronic control Generator Transfer Panel (AMF).

Problem

Broadcasting is entirely dependent on mains power supplies and for a retail broadcasting company like Ideal Shopping Direct, there is an near-instant cessation to services in the event of mains power disruption. When power company UK Power Networks experienced a major failure at it’s local substation, it forced Ideal Shopping Direct offline for several hours. Shenton Group promptly organised a 1200kVA standby generator to run Ideal Shopping Direct’s Peterborough-based headquarters.

However, Michael Blissett, Senior Facilities Manager at Ideal Shopping Direct, was aware that when the generator was shut down, there would be a break in power during transfer from the generator back to the mains electricity supply. When the time came for the company to reconnect to mains power, Ideal Shopping Direct wanted to ensure that there would be no break in electrical continuity that would force its four shopping channels to go off air.

Already familiar with Shenton Group and its reputation for fast response times, customer service and engineering expertise, Ideal Shopping Direct asked the company to provide it with a reconnection strategy to ensure business continuity.

Solution

With depots located throughout the UK, Shenton Group was able to formulate a plan whereby a standby generator and engineer would be sent to the Peterborough site within three hours of receiving the call to say that the sub-station had been repaired and that mains power could be reconnected.

Shenton Group Technical Director, Derek Barry explains: “The standby generator we sent to Ideal Shopping Direct was fitted with a hi-tech electronic control Generator Transfer Panel (AMF). The standby generator took over the load from the temporary generator and then managed the switch-over using full mains synchronisation. Therefore, there was no-break in power during the changeover”.

“I have no hesitation in recommending Shenton Group whose personal approach and assurance were combined with the knowledge that it had the expertise and equipment to deliver”, stated Michael Blissett. “These high service levels were continued through to their on-site staff”, he added.

Outcomes

Shenton Group’s electrical continuity strategy successfully facilitated a switchover to mains power. With absolutely no break in power supplies, Ideal Shopping Direct experienced no interruption to its broadcasting and online services.

“Shenton Group, and in particular its rental division, gave us tremendous support during a very difficult time”, said Ideal Shopping Direct’s Michael Blissett. “The company showed a very high level of customer service which instilled confidence from the first point of contact, through to completion”.

About Shenton Group

Shenton Group is the UK’s leading technical expert in standby power, uninterruptible power supplies, and combined heat and power supplies. The company provides power solutions to organisations spanning a broad array of industries that rely on continuous power supplies and includes; finance, telecoms, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, education, government, utilities, retail, and sport and leisure.

Shenton Group’s standby generator range includes single and three phase generator solutions, ranging from 10kVA to 3.2MVA. Being British built to the highest quality and safety standards, Shenton Group generators are ideal for use as prime power or standby power supply usage. All Shenton Group diesel generators include; a full range of weatherproof canopies to meet sound attenuation levels; proven industry-leading control systems and switchgear hardware; integral bunded base-frame fuel tanks and fuel management systems; containerised modular solutions; custom built drop-over acoustic canopies; and skid-mounted ‘open’ sets for specific applications.

Shenton Group Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems, complete with Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) Panels, also referred to as Automatic Transfer (ATS) Boards, monitor the incoming AC mains supply and with no break in power, activate the standby power supply when mains power fails. When the mains supply returns, the AMF Panel controls a return to the mains supply.

About Ideal Shopping Direct

One of the UK’s leading home shopping retailers, Ideal Shopping Direct sells a range of general merchandise via a number of TV channels and the Internet. Its flagship TV channel is Ideal World (available on Sky, Freeview, FreeSat and Virgin), supported by three other channels; Create and Craft, Ideal Extra, and Ideal and More.

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