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= Power Distribution Center =



A power distribution center (PDC) is essentially a factory-built structure that is designed by manufacturers to house electrical equipment such as switchgears, switchboards, transformers, panel distribution boards, motor control centers, and any other instrumentation that consumer specifications require. The internal electrical equipment is designed to regulate the distribution of electrical power to other equipment, either in a construction setting or to various other systems on an automotive vehicle. Due to this requirement, the PDC essentially a portable construct that can be scaled to meet user specifications.

Application
The regulation in the distribution of electrical power is done completely within the PDC, through the various configurations of internal components. While they have been used in the automobile manufacturing industry since the 1980s, they are more prominently used in modern times for other industrial and commercial applications. They are widely employed at distribution stations, construction sites, shipyards, and plant maintenance to meet energy demands. Typically, a switchgear supplies power to the PDC where the transformer, which is housed within the PDC, steps down the incoming power to a lower voltage to feed other plant loads. Feeder breakers for the loads are usually placed on the PDC, while other components are contained within such as protective relays, monitoring equipment, fuses, terminal points, etc. PDC's are scalable and easily transportable, designed to meet the needs of home owners and businesses.

Components
The equipment housed within the PDC can be in any combination or configuration depending on customer requirements, with the overall size of the housing changing relative to the equipment inside. All components inside the housing are sensitive to outside elements and thus are required to be protected by the weather resistant housing. Different pre-wired customization options offer flexibility to consumers in terms of both size and installment time.

Components often found inside PDC's include:


 * Control Panels
 * Switchgear
 * Switchboards
 * Transformers
 * AC/DC Panel Boards
 * Battery/ Battery Charger
 * RTU Equipment
 * Motor Control Centers
 * Interior/Exterior Lighting
 * Heating and Cooling Systems
 * Termination Cabinet

Specifications
While there is no standard into what can be inside a power distribution center, there are however strict standards regarding its construction. Some PDC's have to withstand intense weather such as high winds, freezing temperatures, and marine salt spray. Thus, there are strict industry standards and codes that manufacturers have to adhere to such as:


 * International Building Code
 * Uniform Building Code
 * National Electric Code
 * National Fire Protection Association
 * American Institute of Steel Construction
 * Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
 * American National Standards Institute
 * National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association

Due to the extreme conditions that the PDC's can be subject to, manufacturers take extra measures to reinforce their materials. These measures range from using galvannealed wall panels, steel tubing, insulation, a polyester outdoor powder coating, a stainless steel base and frame. If required, manufacturers can use fire rates walls to create rooms that can survive explosions, such as as in a hazardous refinery area. Power distribution centers are a favorite choice for target practice among gun enthusiasts, thus leading to an increasing amount of vandalism. In order to protect internal components from vandalism, walls and doors can be constructed to be bullet resistant up to UL level 8, which is most commonly used for protection against multiple shots from a military assault rifle. Additionally, by using a higher voltage direct current power distribution (HVDC) system, the space under the two floors can be better secured and the generation of heat in a data center can be be partially reduced. In addition, the material cost can be reduced, construction period shortened, and resources saved.