Reactive and fast response by Gibbons

Immediate Response

As a key delivery partner on Anglian Water’s M&E Framework, Gibbons Engineering Group was able to respond immediately. By 9:00 am the following morning, an engineer was on site to assess the situation.

Alongside surveying the mechanical works required, preparations immediately began for the necessary CDM documentation, Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), ensuring the urgent repair could be completed safely and without unnecessary delay.

At Anglian Water’s request, Gibbons also deployed an ABB-certified Variable Speed Drive engineer to carry out a full electrical investigation of the system. The engineer completed the following works:

• Inspected the MCC section supplying the ABB inverter drive.
• Checked control equipment, protection devices and fuses.
• Reviewed the drive’s fault history and operating parameters.
• Confirmed the inverter drive was functioning correctly.
• Carried out comprehensive electrical testing on the motor.

Testing confirmed the motor had developed an earth fault and required replacement.

Engineering Expertise Makes the Difference

With the fault diagnosed, Gibbons’ support team immediately began sourcing a replacement. This was not simply an off-the-shelf motor replacement. The blower application required a high-efficiency ABB electric motor with modifications to suit the existing installation.

Using decades of electric motor experience, Gibbons selected the correct ABB Super Premium Efficiency motor and specified the appropriate bearing arrangement, including:

• Insulated bearing at the non-drive end (NDE)
• Roller bearing at the drive end (DE)

This ensured the replacement motor would provide reliable long-term operation while meeting the application’s technical requirements.

Fast Turnaround

Working closely with Anglian Water’s operational and support teams, a plan was quickly agreed to complete the installation just a few working days after the original emergency call. Before attending site, Gibbons’ mechanical engineers prepared all lifting equipment, installation tools and safety documentation required for the work.

Upon arrival, the team completed all site inductions, received the appropriate SAAA Permit to Work and began the replacement. The failed motor was removed before the new ABB motor was installed, laser-aligned and correctly tensioned by Gibbons’ mechanical engineers.

Once the mechanical installation was complete, one of Gibbons’ ABB-certified drive engineers verified the programming and operation of the existing ABB ACS800 variable speed drive before the system was safely energised and fully tested.

Following successful commissioning, Blower No. 1 was handed back to Anglian Water, fully operational and ready to return to service.

The Result

This emergency blower replacement is one example of many of the reactive maintenance work undertaken by Gibbons Engineering Group across Anglian Water’s sites. Supported by specialist electrical, mechanical and drive engineers, along with in-house workshop and technical support teams, Gibbons provides a complete engineering service from fault diagnosis through to commissioning.