There is no reliable universal lead time for a custom switchboard. Ask for a project-specific programme covering information release, engineering, approvals, procurement, manufacture, testing and delivery, with the starting assumptions stated.
Define what the quoted lead time includes
“Six weeks” can mean six weeks from order, from receipt of complete information, from approved drawings or from delivery of free-issued equipment. Those are different commitments. Confirm the trigger and the finish point in writing.
Dispatch, site delivery, installation and energisation are also different milestones. A board that leaves the workshop on time may still need freight, unloading, installation, site testing and commissioning before it can serve the load.
The stages to plan
| Stage | What allows it to progress |
|---|---|
| Scope and inputs | Current drawings, schedules, supply basis and responsibilities. |
| Engineering | Resolved design decisions, equipment details and site constraints. |
| Approval | A named reviewer, coordinated comments and an agreed revision. |
| Procurement | Confirmed product references, availability and approved alternatives. |
| Manufacture | Released drawings, required components and an allocated workshop slot. |
| Testing and documents | Agreed test scope, witness availability and handover requirements. |
| Delivery | Access, transport splits, unloading, storage and site readiness. |
Some stages can overlap, but not every task can safely move ahead before its inputs are fixed. Buying long-lead equipment early also introduces a risk if the design changes. Agree that risk explicitly.
Work backwards from the required operating date
Start with the date the installation must be available for use, then allow for site installation, testing and commissioning. Before that, place delivery, any agreed factory witness testing, manufacture, equipment supply and drawing approval. This exposes the difference between a board arriving and a system being ready to operate.
| Milestone | Completion should mean |
|---|---|
| Design inputs ready | The information needed for the next design stage is available, with open decisions identified. |
| Drawings approved | The authorised reviewer has accepted the defined manufacturing issue. |
| Equipment confirmed | Key items and their delivery assumptions have been checked. |
| Factory checks complete | Agreed verification and functional checks are complete, with outstanding items controlled. |
| Site ready | Access, foundations or mounting, cable works and installation resources are coordinated. |
Some activities can overlap, but the project team must agree the risk and dependencies. Ordering equipment early on an unconfirmed design can create rework if the duty changes.
Keep an approval and open-input register
A short register can be more useful than repeated requests for a general progress update. List the missing information or decision, the person responsible, the date needed and the effect of delay. Include technical questions as well as commercial approvals.
For example, an unresolved cable-entry direction can affect the layout, while an unconfirmed meter or communications requirement may affect equipment selection and wiring. Identify which items prevent work and which can be resolved later without changing completed design.
Ask reviewers to return one coordinated response where practical. Conflicting comments from several parties can consume the approval period even when everyone responds quickly. Record which drawing revision is approved and withdraw superseded information from use.
What can move the delivery date?
- A late fault-study result that changes device selection or assembly construction.
- Changes to cable sizes or entry locations after the enclosure is designed.
- Unavailable switchgear, relays or metering equipment.
- Slow or conflicting drawing comments.
- Free-issued components arriving after the agreed date.
- An expanded FAT scope or unresolved test results.
- Site access or shutdown dates changing.
The effect depends on where the job is in the programme. A small change to a drawing may be a large change to a partly built board. Ask for the cost and schedule impact before approving a variation.
How to improve programme certainty
Send the enquiry information together, identify the decision-maker and agree review dates at order. Confirm essential equipment early. Give CWS notice of shutdown windows and staged handover requirements.
Keep a short list of unresolved inputs with an owner and required date for each. This makes it easier to see which decisions could affect the critical path.
Assess alternatives against the whole project
If a specified component is unavailable, a proposed substitute needs more than a similar current rating. Check its protective characteristics, physical arrangement, control compatibility, verification implications and documentation. The responsible parties should approve the substitution before it becomes a purchasing assumption.
An alternative that shortens equipment supply may still require design revision or additional checking. Compare its total effect on cost and programme. Keep the decision visible to the installation team so site wiring, settings and spare-parts information remain consistent.
For staged deliveries, identify exactly which sections or boards can be installed and commissioned independently. Transport splits do not automatically make an assembly suitable for partial operation. Agree the practical sequence with the manufacturer, installation designer and site team.
Urgent and staged projects
Tell us the required date and the consequence of missing it. We can assess the scope, available equipment and workshop programme, then explain what is achievable. An urgent request is not a confirmed fast-track slot until it has been agreed.
For multi-board projects, staged delivery may help, provided the design and installation sequence support it. For a replacement, align the new board’s readiness with the shutdown and changeover plan. CWS manufactures in Invercargill and arranges delivery requirements for projects across New Zealand.
Questions we hear
Can you give a fixed lead time from this article?
No. Current component availability, scope and workshop capacity need to be checked for the actual enquiry.
Can a late design change affect an agreed date?
Yes. Ask for a documented assessment of the change before proceeding, including revised drawings, equipment and testing.
When should I involve the manufacturer?
Bring the manufacturer into planning while the scope, equipment and site programme are being developed. Early discussion can identify missing inputs before the required delivery date becomes difficult to achieve.