Moore Hall on KU's west campus is the home of the Kansas Geological Survey. Originally built in the early 1970's and added on to in the early 1980's, the electrical distribution equipment in the building is original to the construction, and the main switchboard located in the main mechanical room has seen deterioration due to environmental conditions as was obsolete and difficult to maintain.  The service transformer outside the building was originally installed and owned by the electric utility company but was subsequently sold to the University. It was past the end of expected service life and not up to University standards.

KU engaged BG Consultants to design the replacement of the transformer and main switchboard, which each presented their own unique challenges.  The existing transformer had a larger footprint than the proposed replacement, and through coordination with the equipment vendor, a specially modified replacement transformer was ordered with a larger wiring cabinet so that the existing in-ground conduits could be reused. 

The main switchboard originally included a motor control center distribution section which still contained three active motor starters. Additionally, the existing switchboard had inadequate working clearances that violated Code requirements.  Again through coordination with the University and equipment vendor, BG was able to prepare a design for a replacement switchboard that fit in the existing space while solving the working clearance issues, and installed separately-mounted replacement motor starters that will be easier to maintain in the future.

The main power distribution in the building is accomplished with vertical bus ducts up through the building. One of these bus ducts was directly connected to the old main switchboard, which presented challenges for the switchboard replacement. BG was able to specify modifications to the existing bus duct and a custom tap box for it so that the bus duct can be refed from the new switchboard with a traditional breaker and cable connection.