Voltage conversion and test of the mains power system at the Hönggerberg campus
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Here you get the newest updates regarding the test on the test day:
- Update from 13.15 p.m.: The third test has been successfully completed. The fourth test is waived. We thank all participants for their cooperation. Do you have any feedback on the test? Let us know until 24.01.2019 via
- Update from 12.45 p.m.: The third test starts in 15 minutes.
- Update from 11.30 a.m.: A third test will take place at 01.00 p.m.
- Update from 11.00 a.m.: The second test is completed. Information is provided promtly as to whether a third test is required.
- Update from 10.15 a.m.: The second test starts at 10.30 a.m.
- Update from 08.20 a.m.: The first test is completed. The second test starts at 10.30 a.m.
- Update from 07.45 a.m.: The first test starts at 08.00 a.m.
To ensure a continued power supply for large-scale users, the electrical utility of the city of Zurich (EWZ) is increasing the voltage of its energy distribution from 11kV to 22kV. ETH Zurich's H?nggerberg site is one of the large scale users that will be affected.
To ensure hat the buildings can run at the increased voltage going forward, the relevant systems at the H?nggerberg campus have been steadily converted and renewed since 2014.
Voltage conversion
The voltage conversion took place once these adjustments were complete, in September and October 2018. Over a period of 45 days, all buildings at the H?nggerberg campus were taken off the grid for 30 minutes one after another and switched to the new voltage.
Test of the mains power system
On January 8th 2019 there will be further planned power outages to test if the equipment controlled by the mains power system functions properly and if it can be supplied with emergency power. This test will involve between two and a maximum of four controlled power outages at the H?nggerberg campus. Unlike for the voltage conversion, these power outages will take place across the whole H?nggerberg campus at the same time and emergency power autorised users should be provided with power during these outages. The maximum length of each individual power outage will also be 30 minutes. There will be a two-hour interval between each test. The specific times of the power outages can be found in Downloadthis overview (PDF, 105 KB). Also for the test of the mains power system can installed devices for uninterrupted power supply (UPS) stay in operation.
What preparatory measures do users have to take?
Anyone who uses the buildings at the H?nggerberg campus must take the following measures into account before each of the power outages mentioned:
- Inform suppliers in advance
- Put institute equipment out of operation and activate it again after the end of the power outage
- As a precaution, remove the plugs of sensitive equipment from the sockets
- Save data and shut down computers
- Eliminate potential dangers from the running tests/processes
- Reduce the load on UPS systems
- Monitor the equipment during the test
There are specific Downloadsafety instructions (PDF, 160 KB) for labs that have to be followed.
Due to the high number of power cuts over the whole campus caused by the voltage conversion and because entire buildings will be switched off, no temporary measures will be provided.
Information channels
On 8 January, affected parties can inform themselves about the current status of test of the mains power system using various channels:
At the FUSION restaurant in the HCI building, an info point with representatives of the project team will be installed who will be happy to answer any questions on site.
In addition, those affected can also contact the project team directly by phone under 044 633 00 00. ATTENTION: This number only works on 8 January.
On this web page, which can be accessed over mobile phone in case of power outages, updates on the test will be published on a regular basis.
Alarm during a power outage
If an alarm must be sounded during a power outage on the H?nggerberg campus, the telephones at the emergency fire equipment points can be used (call 888) or emergency calls can be made using a mobile phone (call +41 (0)44 342 11 88).
Event
Updated: 11/2018