USA, Washington, DC: ABB has completed electrical infrastructure upgrades at the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building in Washington, DC, supporting safe and reliable operations ahead of events marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The project focused on modernising critical electrical systems at the historic building, which first opened in 1881 and is the Smithsonian’s second-oldest structure. The site is preparing to reopen temporarily as part of the anniversary celebrations and is included in a wider Historic Core renovation programme.
ABB’s electrification service team upgraded the existing switchgear by retrofitting it with custom-engineered circuit breakers. Manufactured in Florence, South Carolina, the breakers were designed to meet the building’s specific fault protection needs while supporting higher operational loads.
Before the retrofit, ABB carried out maintenance and testing on existing equipment, including three switchgear line-ups and six network protectors. The new circuit breakers are intended to respond more quickly to faults and strengthen the resilience of the building’s power system.
Additional safety improvements included clearer labelling and features designed to reduce risk for personnel working near live equipment. The upgraded system also includes monitoring and data tools that provide real-time visibility, helping operators detect and address potential issues before they develop into larger problems.
Reliable power will be especially important while the Arts and Industries Building serves as a central venue during four months of anniversary programming. The upgrade supports lighting, exhibits and essential building systems, while also contributing to the wider Smithsonian network along the National Mall.
The project underlines how modern electrical infrastructure can help preserve historic buildings while preparing them for current and future operational demands.
Source: Operations Engineer
