Custom switchboards are great for smaller commercial locations or residential applications. But when you’re moving into the ranks of airport facilities or a high-volume tertiary hospital, you’re working with systems that can’t fail. Custom switchboards are designed to fit the configuration, the loading profile, and the operating needs of every facility.

For example, an airport may need switchboards that handle everything from runway lighting and baggage handling systems to emergency lighting and terminal HVAC. In hospitals, we’re talking about surgical theatre lighting, ICU power outlets, MRI machines, and backup power for life-support systems—all of which must be carefully segregated, monitored, and redundantly supplied.

Switchboards in Airports: Built for Continuity and Control

Australia’s airports—Sydney to Brisbane, Perth to Cairns—are incredibly different in footprint and scale of operation. But one thing they all have in common is a requirement for electrical infrastructure that’s as fluid as their operation.

At the heart of this are bespoke low-voltage (LV) switchboards that need to be integrated with control systems, UPS modules, airside lighting infrastructure, and data networks.

In most high-scale airport developments, we find modular switchboards feeding:

• Airside lighting: runway, taxiway, and apron lighting
• Baggage conveyor equipment
• Public address and emergency page systems
• Traffic control systems at access roads and taxi stands
• HVAC and fire systems within terminals

Since these systems cover large spaces, switchboards are typically designed with intelligent monitoring capabilities, e.g., PLCs or SCADA compatibility. System performance, faults, and power quality can be monitored from a central point by the operator, often part of an airport operations centre.

Another of the most important design aspects is redundancy. In most instances, airports make use of bespoke switchboards with two supply sources, changeover systems, or even load transfer logic automatically to maintain critical operations online in case one supply fails.

Hospitals: Safe Powering of Critical Care

Now, let’s change gears and discuss hospitals.

Hospitals are not just energy-hungry—they are also profoundly reliant on having power delivered with zero tolerance for failure. Each device in a contemporary hospital, from an infusion pump to a CT scanner, relies on reliable, clean power.

Custom-built hospital switchboards are constructed with deliberate zoning in mind. There are typically designated sections of the switchboard marked “Essential,” “Non-Essential,” and “Critical.” This segregation allows power to critical systems to be preserved during an outage by drawing on backup sources like diesel generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Numerous such boards are equipped with:

• Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) to automatically switch to generator power
• Mechanical safety interlocks for maintenance
• Isolated power zones for operating theaters
• Surge protection specific to sensitive medical devices
• Integrated monitoring systems for fault and alarm reporting

Hospitals like Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital or Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth utilize such custom switchboards to control not only patient care zones, but also backup systems such as nurse call, lighting, pathology labs, and security systems.

Integration with Modern Control Systems

Both hospitals and airports have moved toward “smart” building, and switchboards are no exception.

Instead of merely being a manually operated distributor, modern switchboards feature sophisticated Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and SCADA-capable architecture. This allows facility managers to monitor electrical loads remotely, recognize impending failures, and even generate reports for proactive maintenance.

In hospitals, this degree of control is priceless. It enables facility teams to monitor load on every stage, monitor circuit health, and test generator systems without affecting patient care. In airports, it facilitates effortless shift between normal and emergency lighting, and enhanced management of equipment that could be spread across kilometres of terrain.

Security is also being considered. As many switchboards are now connected over IP, secure access and firewalls are frequently part of the control design to keep unauthorised interference out.

Physical Design: Designed for Harsh and Complex Environments

The physical requirements placed on these switchboards are also quite different from commercial buildings.

In hospitals, switchboards are generally mounted in clean, temperature-regulated plant rooms. But they must still be very safety-orientated and often have stainless steel enclosures to resist corrosion and bacterial contamination. Ventilation and cable access are also extensively customised.

In airports, particularly in coastal areas, salty air and extreme temperature differences need to be considered. That involves installing IP-rated, corrosion-resistant switchboard enclosures. Others are even installed already fitted into weatherproof kiosks on the field for direct control of lights or pump systems.

No matter if it is an internal main switchboard room or an external MCC kiosk, tailored switchboards are always designed for simplicity of access, safe servicing, and durability.

Real-World Projects in Australia

Throughout Australia, various high-profile projects have underscored the value of bespoke switchboard design.

Within the Western Sydney International Airport project, switchboards are being fitted to control not only the terminal’s internal lighting and HVAC, but also its airfield lighting control system. These boards are modular and expansion-capable, designed to connect with the central SCADA system.

At the same time, in health, hospitals such as the Sunshine Coast University Hospital installed bespoke main switchboards with ATS and metering built-in to provide for testing and monitoring of backup systems without disrupting power to ICU and theatre areas.

These aren’t city features only, either. Even rural hospitals such as those found in Dubbo or Alice Springs need switchboards customised for their load profiles and critical service requirements.

Planning and Specification: What to Consider

Specifying or designing an airport or hospital switchboard begins with a profound understanding of how power is utilized in the building. It’s not merely load capacity—it’s response to failure, service ease, and flexibility to change with time.

Some of the questions that inform design choices include:

• Is the facility in need of redundancy on certain systems?
• Are generators or solar systems involved, and would there be a need for changeover?
• How is the board going to be accessed and monitored?
• Are there any space limitations within the electrical rooms?
• What environmental protection is needed (IP ratings, corrosion resistance)?
• Is it going to be integrated with an existing SCADA platform or BMS?

Having these questions answered early enables the design to not only address today’s needs, but also tomorrow’s expansion plans.