Israel Museum upgrades electrical systems

The Israel Museum, a prestigious institution renowned globally, recently undertook a crucial initiative to enhance its electrical infrastructure. This project involved replacing an antiquated high-voltage panel with a contemporary main switching station, significantly bolstering the museum’s electrical supply’s reliability and safety for the foreseeable future.

In December 2021, a detailed assessment by the Electra FM team unveiled a high-voltage board in operation for over half a century at the museum’s core facility. This board, operating at 12.6 kV and featuring four cells with connections to two dry transformers, was deemed “End of Life” (EOL)—a classification indicating the equipment was obsolete, with no available spare parts for maintenance. This revelation underscored potential risks to the museum’s operational continuity and the preservation of its delicate exhibits.

Upon taking over the museum’s facility management, Electra FM promptly recommended an upgrade. Following a thorough evaluation of engineering solutions from various providers, the decision was made to install a state-of-the-art board supplied by Schneider.

Upon taking over the museum’s facility management, Electra FM promptly recommended an upgrade. Following a thorough evaluation of engineering solutions from various providers, the decision was made to install a state-of-the-art board supplied by Schneider.

This modernization project brings numerous benefits to the Israel Museum. The newly installed panel, equipped with cutting-edge technology, not only ensures a stable and uninterrupted power supply but also enhances the protection and functionality of the museum’s unique collections. It drastically reduces the likelihood and duration of power outages, mitigating the impact on museum operations and facilitating a swift return to normalcy. Proactively replacing the panel curtails future repair costs, which would likely escalate, affecting both financial outlay and potential harm to the exhibits. Moreover, the upgrade significantly boosts employee safety by adhering to the latest standards, thus fostering a safer working environment, and diminishing the risks associated with dated electrical systems.

Tal Zaken,the maintenance manager at the Israel Museum, expressed the project’s significance: “While the Israel Museum showcases ancient artworks to its visitors, our ethos in facility maintenance emphasizes modernization and compliance with current standards. After careful planning, selecting a contractor, and obtaining the necessary approvals, we have completed an extensive project. As a result, the site is now safer and more reliable for both employees and visitors. We are pleased by the successful completion of this complicated endeavor, which ensures the museum’s functional reliability.

ElectraFM’s Chief Electrical and Quality Engineer Oron Antabi commented: “The Israel Museum is undertaking a complex project of great importance. By upgrading the system, the museum will be able to safeguard its assets by ensuring a stable, reliable power supply. I was pleased to be a part of a project that was carried out in a fruitful partnership with the museum staff.”