The 2024 turnkey replacement of the Change Over Switch (COS) switchboard at MPOM Mandau palm oil mill (PT ADEI Plantation & Industry, Indonesian subsidiary of KLK Group Malaysia) resolved severe switchboard failure through structured EPC execution: dismantling the obsolete damaged unit, custom fabrication of a new heavy chassis in our Pekanbaru workshop, joint client Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), on-site erection, and flawless commissioning with zero processing downtime.
The Problem: Obsolete Damaged COS Switchboard Failure
In 2024, the primary Change Over Switch (COS) panel at MPOM Mandau palm oil mill suffered catastrophic mechanical jamming and electrical deterioration, rendering it inoperable. This switchboard performs the vital function of transferring load between steam turbine generators and utility backup.
The failure posed severe risks of continuous mill shutdown during high-throughput harvest crushing.
The Solution: Custom Engineering & Workshop FAT
BRT engineers conducted an emergency site survey, cleanly dismantled the damaged panel, and surveyed concrete plinth tolerances. This ensured the new replacement switchboard would align perfectly with existing subterranean cable trenches.
A new heavy-duty chassis was fabricated in our Pekanbaru facility utilizing thick electro-galvanized sheet steel. Motorized transfer switchgear with dual electrical interlocks was installed. KLK Group’s engineering team witnessed complete Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) before shipment.
The Outcome: Flawless Commissioning & Continuous Duty
The switchboard was safely mobilized to Mandau and erected within the allocated turnaround window. All busbar jointing, cable terminations, and control wire labeling met rigorous industrial standards.
During live load Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), the switchboard performed impeccably, executing smooth load transfers. It continues to deliver uninterrupted power for KLK Group’s milling operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did the custom COS panel fabrication take?
Under emergency turnaround conditions at MPOM Mandau, complete chassis fabrication, busbar bending, and wiring were executed in under 3 weeks at our Pekanbaru facility.
Why is a workshop Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) vital for remote mills?
Joint FAT testing validates every interlocking scheme and dimensional tolerance before shipping to remote plantation concessions, completely eliminating expensive field modifications.
Gatot Baskoro Adi
With over 18 years of medium-voltage electrical engineering leadership since 2008, Gatot Baskoro Adi holds three SKK Level 5 licenses issued by PT Andalan Profesi Elektrikal Indonesia under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. He has directed more than 23 major industrial projects and 8 completed installations for Malaysian conglomerate KLK Group across Sumatra and Kalimantan.