ODG upgrades Warragamba Dam electricals

A substantial upgrade of ageing electrical systems at Warragamba Dam, Sydney’s main water supply reservoir, has just been successfully completed by electrical engineering company, O’Donnell Griffin (ODG), part of the Electrical and Communications division of Norfolk.

O’Donnell Griffin NSW State Manager Phil Tilden commented: “The $23 million electrical facelift involved an overhaul of the 49-year-old dam’s systems and was based on upgrading health and safety systems for dam works.

“More than 25 ODG electricians were involved in the two-year project which involved the replacement of some 294 light switches, 155 general power outlets, 1030 fluorescent light fittings and a total of 170 km of cabling.”

The work entailed replacement of all the lighting in the galleys to give minimum 80 lux levels at all points, installation of a new radio-phone communications system, new switchboards and MCC panels cabling and support structure system.

The works also included the installation of a sophisticated wireless telephone system using Kirk 3000 technology so that employees can communicate throughout the site, including when working in underwater tunnels.

“O’Donnell Griffin is also about to commence a separate $3m contract to refurbish the electrical system of the dam’s original radial and drum gates, which are opened when excessive spill is required, such as in the case of floods,” added Tilden.

Warragamba Dam, 65 km west of Sydney, is the city’s primary water source and provides 80% of the Sydney water supply. It is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary in late 2010 and was initiated in 1948 as a response to a series of severe droughts.

The ODG works at Warragamba are part of a growing folio of water-related contracts for the company.