«The commissioning was truly outstanding,» Larcher looks back at the most recent past. The commissioning included not only the electrical components for the fans in the ventilation centres but also the integration of their control in the master control system of the tunnel and, for example, also the testing of the tunnel sensor system, which includes more than 80 sensors for temperature, humidity and air velocity in the two tunnels distributed over the entire length of the base tunnel. Also the integration of a fire location detection system in the four emergency stations was masterminded by ABB.
The meticulous documentation of the testing method for the installed ABB components have contributed much to the successful commissioning. «The value of an exact, well-structured description of what was exactly installed where, cannot be overestimated in such a large project with numerous parties involved», emphasizes Larcher.
The components and systems were thoroughly tested, in individual tests as well as in combined tests for ventilation scenarios (scenario manager) or with various key aspects, for example, the volume of air delivery or the event control. It is also exciting that the control of some external systems is triggered via the computer of ABB ventilation, for example, the automatic doors of the emergency exits in the emergency stations.
«The interplay of all the systems in the base tunnel, from the train protection to the sewage system, the lighting and our ventilation as well as a dozen other systems, is crucial for the functioning of this structure of the century anyway», stresses Larcher. The total integration has been addressed in August. From October, the other integral tests of the entire system and all systems involved are performed by the AlpTransit Gotthard AG. Here, test runs with train compositions are also undertaken.