Most plant power distribution systems have been in place for a long time. During the intervening years, technological advances have wrought many changes to what once was considered normal operation. It’s no longer true that across-the-line motor connections are the norm, nor is incandescent lighting the only option available. Modern plant hardware is replacing older equipment in an effort to reduce the rising cost of utility bills. Some plants have even gone so far as to generate some of its own electrical power to permit partial and even complete disconnection from the grid. Also, variable-speed drives are being used on more than air compressors. The bottom-line goal of all these measures is to improve profitability and competitiveness. In some cases, it might be appropriate to revamp the plant’s power distribution system to achieve a better match between it and the connected equipment’s power requirements.
The ubiquity of digital control systems and the necessity to keep them operating at all costs might render a backup power system as a mandatory adjunct to a legacy electrical distribution system. Some plants install permanent power monitoring equipment on various electrical loads to gain better control over demand charges and to provide the feedback that is needed to document instantaneous consumption. It’s the maintenance professional who is on the front line in the care of power distribution systems. These are the people who have most to lose if high-voltage lines cause problems. It’s no wonder that safety has become an important consideration in recent years.
One of the main underlying motivations for this situation is the financial aspect of avoiding the chaos that follows a major accident. The cost of an arc flash incident includes the injury, and the worker’s compensation claims and changes in the insurance rates, and the production that vanishes into thin air when the electrical system goes off-line for an extended period while repairs are being made. Avoiding the cost of one accidental injury can be used to cost-justify a more robust safety programs. In any case, the plant’s wiring network needs to be maintained, and the market offers many products that can help make the work easier. It will be worth your time to investigate these and the many other products and services that can keep your plant operating at its peak efficiency.
Megger's DELTA4000 series 12 kV insulation diagnostic system offers fully automatic power factor/tan delta and tip-up testing
Megger’s DELTA4000 series 12 kV insulation diagnostic system offers fully automatic power factor/tan delta and tip-up testing. Intelligent temperature correction, based on the actual condition of the test object, can be applied to results using a technique that works with data acquired from a separate dielectric frequency response (DFR) test.
Fluke's 345 Power Quality Clamp Meter combines the features of a clamp meter, oscilloscope, data logger and digital power meter
Combining the functions of a clamp meter, oscilloscope, data logger and digital power meter, the Fluke 345 Power Quality Clamp Meter is designed for working with variable frequency motor drives, high efficiency lighting and other loads using switching electronics. The Fluke 345 features a color display to analyze the harmonic spectrum, a low-pass filter to remove high frequency noise and a high EMC immunity design.
Mersen's Surge-Trap Type 1 X-Series surge protection devices provide overvoltage protection for all locations in the facility
Mersen's Surge-Trap Type 1 X-Series surge protection devices (SPDs) are engineered to provide overvoltage protection for all locations in the facility. The X-Series SPDs feature TPMOV technology inside. The series includes the Surge-Trap XR, the Surge-Trap XP and the Surge-Trap XT.
Siemens' dry type distribution transformers are available in a variety of ratings
Siemens' dry type distribution transformers are rated 600 volt class and are available in a variety of ratings. A variety of primary and secondary voltage ratings are available to match the load requirements to the distribution system. All units meet applicable ANSI and NEMA standards. Standard designs are UL Listed. Dry type transformers are air cooled by natural convection.
GE's Arc Vault arc fault protection technology stops an arcing fault in eight milliseconds
GE's Arc Vault arc fault protection technology is designed to stop an arcing fault in eight milliseconds. The Arc Vault system features an activation switch that can be used during routine maintenance to put the low-voltage equipment into a high-protection mode. When an arc flash event occurs, the system will send a signal to the arc containment device.
Thomas and Betts' Elastimold Molded Vacuum Interrrupter utilizes a 25 kA symmetrical vacuum bottle interrupter and a magnetic actuator mechanism
The Thomas and Betts Elastimold Molded Vacuum Interrrupter (MVI) is designed to fit through wind tower doorways. The unit is maintenance-free, contains no gas or oil, and is available for subsurface, vault, tower, padmount or riser-pole applications. The 38 kV 25 kA MVI incorporates Elastimold’s combination of EPDM molded insulation with a vacuum interrupter.
Grace Engineered Products' Active GracePort Ethernet switch was designed with electrical safety in mind
Electrical safety impacts the design of the Active GracePort Ethernet switch from Grace Engineered Products. The current NFPA 70e electrical safety mandate severely regulates voltage exposure to workers, thereby making simple tasks like opening an electrical enclosure door for diagnostics very time consuming.
Omron Scientific Technologies' D40Z Safety Interlock Switch supports ISO 13849-1
Omron Scientific Technologies' D40Z Safety Interlock Switch supports ISO 13849-1 (Safety Category 4/PLe), and up to 30 units can be connected to a single G9SX-NS Controller while still maintaining category 4/PLe compliance. Up to 15 D40Z switches may be combined with the programmable G9SP Safety Controller.
Omega Engineering's Model HHM590 Series clamp-on digital multimeters include a set of safety test leads
Omega Engineering's Model HHM590 Series clamp-on digital multimeters include a set of safety test leads, a 9 V alkaline battery and a type K beaded wire thermocouple (temperature models only). Each unit has GS-Mark EN61010-1 Approval, Voltage Category III 600 V, Pollution Degree II and an AC/DC current clamp.
AutomationDirect expands its Hammond line of HPS Fortress encapsulated power transformers
AutomationDirect has expanded its Hammond line of HPS Fortress commercial encapsulated power transformers. The single-phase units are available in 100VA up to 25kVA ratings and input voltage ranges of 120VAC to 480VAC. All units are encapsulated with electrical-grade silica sand and resin compounds to protect the core and coils.
Belden's 2,000 Volt VFD cables meet all applicable industry standards and specifications for VFD cables
Belden has added 2,000 Volt VFD cables to its line of variable frequency AC motor drive cables. This series of seven cables include 14 to 2 AWG, with braid shield oversized insulation, EMI low-frequency noise protection, RFI high-frequency noise protection, and full-size, insulated green grounds and drain wires.
Russelectric's 30-cycle-rated RTS Series Transfer Switches simplify selective coordination
Russelectric RTS Series Transfer Switches are UL labeled and listed for 30-cycle closing, and withstand ratings based on testing per UL Standard 1008. The switches simplify selective coordination of overcurrent/short circuit devices in emergency and backup power systems for healthcare and other facilities.
Emerson Network Power's Liebert SH Hybrid Series Surge Protective Device offers a coordinated, multi-stage system of suppression
Emerson Network Power's Liebert SH Hybrid Series Surge Protective Device is designed to offer a coordinated, multi-stage system of suppression. The Liebert SH Hybrid Series is engineered to offer component-level monitoring, including neutral to ground. It also delivers a sand-packed silver fuse network that’s UL Rated at 200kAIC.
