Project Overview
This Yemen factory low-voltage distribution cabinet project delivers IEC-compliant power protection for a parts manufacturing facility located in Sana’a, Yemen. The end user, referred to in this case study as the GEYA Customer, operates a mechanical parts production line that suffered from unstable utility supply, insufficient downstream equipment protection, and limited automation in the existing switchgear. GEYA’s headquarters engineering and sales team designed the multi-level protection scheme and component selection, while the on-site cabinet assembly, wiring and commissioning were executed by GEYA’s authorised Yemen dealer. The delivered scope covers the GYCM8AL Series molded case circuit breaker as the main incomer and GYM10 3P miniature circuit breakers for branch distribution, mounted on standard DIN rail with three-phase insulated copper busbar.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Sana’a, Yemen |
| Application | Parts manufacturing factory — main & sub low-voltage distribution cabinet |
| Key Products | GYCM8AL MCCB, GYM10 3P MCB |
| GEYA Scope | Cabinet design & component selection (HQ engineering team) + on-site installation & commissioning (Yemen dealer) |
Regional & Industry Background
Yemen’s public electricity network has been heavily disrupted since 2015, and according to the IEA country profile for Yemen, only roughly half of the population has reliable grid access. Industrial users in Sana’a routinely face daily scheduled outages, voltage swings outside the IEC ±10 % envelope, and switching transients introduced by diesel generators and decentralised PV. For a parts manufacturing factory, this translates directly into motor burn-outs, contactor welding, and unscheduled production line stoppages. The response across Yemen’s industrial sector has been a shift toward layered low-voltage protection devices, replacing unbranded components with IEC-certified MCCBs and MCBs that can be sourced locally. GEYA supports this through its Sana’a-area channel; project context for the local network is documented in the GEYA Yemen dealership announcement.
How the System Works
The cabinet implements a two-tier radial protection topology: a single 3-pole MCCB acts as the main incomer and isolation point, feeding multiple 3-pole MCB branch circuits via a three-phase insulated copper busbar (red / yellow / blue per IEC 60446 colour convention). Each downstream MCB protects one production-line subsystem, allowing fault isolation without de-energising the entire factory.
- Incoming feeder → main MCCB: Utility three-phase supply enters the cabinet and terminates at the GYCM8AL Series MCCB. The thermomagnetic trip unit handles overload and short-circuit clearing, while the overload-alarm-non-tripping function provides early warning of sustained overcurrent before disconnection.
- Main MCCB → three-phase busbar: Outgoing terminals of the MCCB feed an insulated copper busbar set, distributing L1/L2/L3 across the DIN rails on both sides of the enclosure with bolted clamp connections.
- Busbar → GYM10 3P MCBs: Each branch circuit is protected by a 3-pole GYM10 MCB, sized to the downstream load (motor, lighting bank, control panel feeder, etc.). Tripping characteristic curves are selected so that a downstream fault clears at the branch MCB before the main MCCB sees the disturbance — i.e. selective coordination.
- Branch outputs → production line loads: Each MCB output runs to its dedicated machine or sub-panel. The cabinet provides a separate earth bar bonded to the enclosure for PE conductors of all branch circuits.
- Maintenance & isolation: The MCCB handle serves as the lockable main isolator, allowing the entire downstream system to be safely de-energised for maintenance without disconnecting the utility supply at street level.
Related GEYA Products
| Product | Role in System | Category Page |
|---|---|---|
| GYCM8AL Series MCCB Thermomagnetic Overload Alarm Non-Tripping Plastic Case Circuit Breaker | Main incomer & isolator; thermomagnetic overload + short-circuit protection with overload pre-alarm | Molded Case Circuit Breaker |
| GYM10 3P MCB Miniature Circuit Breaker, 3-pole | Branch circuit protection for individual machines and sub-feeders; selective coordination with the upstream MCCB | Miniature Circuit Breaker |
Challenges Solved
The brief identified three field-level pain points typical of Sana’a industrial users: large utility voltage fluctuation, insufficient downstream equipment protection, and a low level of automation in the legacy distribution panel. The GEYA HQ engineering team mapped each issue to a specific design response, summarised below.
| Challenge | Design Response & Outcome |
|---|---|
| Utility voltage fluctuation and frequent transients damaging downstream loads | GYCM8AL MCCB with thermomagnetic trip + non-tripping overload alarm provides a clearing curve aligned with IEC 60947-2; sustained overload conditions are flagged before disconnection, allowing operators to act preventively. |
| Single-tier protection — a fault on one machine took the whole line offline | Two-tier radial topology with selective coordination between the main MCCB and the GYM10 3P branch MCBs. A fault now isolates only the affected machine while the rest of the production line keeps running. |
| Low automation level in the legacy distribution panel | Standardised DIN-rail layout with insulated three-phase busbar prepares the cabinet for future add-ons (monitoring relays, SPD, smart metering) without rewiring the main feeder. |
- Safety: All breakers IEC-certified; clear three-phase colour coding per IEC 60446.
- Local serviceability: Installation by the GEYA Yemen dealer means the customer can source spares and on-site support without overseas lead time.
- Expandability: Spare DIN rail capacity and busbar headroom reserved for future production-line additions.
Customer Feedback
“Thanks to the professional technical and product support provided by the GEYA team, we have been able to commence production in a safe environment.”
— GEYA Customer, Sana’a, Yemen
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a GYCM8AL MCCB as the factory main incomer?
The GYCM8AL is a thermomagnetic molded case circuit breaker with an overload-alarm non-tripping function, making it well suited as a factory main incomer because it warns operators of sustained overload before disconnecting the line. Frame ratings span 160 A to 800 A, covering most parts manufacturing loads. It complies with IEC 60947-2.
Why pair the MCCB with GYM10 3P MCBs on every branch?
Three-pole MCBs on each branch deliver selective coordination: a downstream short circuit clears at the branch breaker before the main MCCB reacts, so only the faulty machine is taken offline. The rest of the production line keeps running, which directly reduces unplanned stoppage time on a Yemeni factory floor.
Who handled installation in Yemen?
Cabinet design, component sizing, and protection coordination were handled by GEYA’s headquarters engineering and sales team in China. On-site cabinet assembly, wiring, and commissioning at the factory in Sana’a were carried out by GEYA’s authorised Yemen dealer, providing the customer with local lead times and after-sales presence.
Can the cabinet be expanded for future PV or monitoring equipment?
Yes. The DIN-rail layout and insulated three-phase busbar were sized with spare capacity, allowing addition of surge protection devices, voltage monitoring relays, or an automatic transfer switch for future PV / generator integration without rewiring the main feeder or replacing the MCCB.
Related Projects
- Expanding in the Middle East: GEYA’s First Dealership in Yemen
- GEYA Project | Singapore Installer: Factory Power Distribution Cabinet
- GEYA Project | Maldives Factory Power Distribution Cabinet
Working on a similar factory low-voltage distribution cabinet in the Middle East? Reach out to our engineering team for a tailored design review.
