May 2014System Integration & Control Systems Design
An ABB arc guide system installed on a motor control centre (MCC) panel by PSY Systems prevented an expensive plant shutdown for one of the company’s clients.
It was during the installation process that a cable arced unexpectedly. Ordinarily such an incident would ignite the wiring within the panel and continue burning as the current flowed from the upstream power supply. This would not only result in the destruction of the panel, but also put the entire plant at risk of an electrical fire. Even if the damage were only confined to the MCC itself, the complete system would have to be shut down until it could be replaced, a process that could take anything up to six weeks and cost the client both in downtime as well as equipment repair and replacement.
In this case, however, the arc guide installed into the panel shut off the mains supply within 1,5 ms, preventing damage to the panel. The arc guide features an unshielded fibre optic sensor capable of detecting the intense light created by a developing arc anywhere in the panel. The unit’s hardwired shunt trip provides millisecond reaction time to arcs, shutting the system down.
The ABB arc guide is a flexible solution consisting of a central unit that can be used either in a standalone configuration or linked to other main and extension modules. In addition to two high-speed insulated gate bipolar transistor outputs for circuit breaker tripping purposes, the unit also incorporates a heavy duty relay output that can be used either as a circuit breaker failure protection or as an alarm output.
Paul Young, managing director for PSY Systems: “It was fortunate for the client to have the arc guide system installed. This particular incident could have cost the client R500 000 for a new MCC panel as well as losses in production due to shutdown. Now, all that was required was the replacement of the arc guide and a cleanup of the panel.”
PSY Systems, an ABB channel partner, provides process control and machine safety solutions for a broad spectrum of industry from iron and steel, food and beverage, milling and sugar to manufacturing, chemical, water and waste.
Understanding the role of AI in generative engineering design
System Integration & Control Systems Design
When a design engineer sets out to design a new part, component, or assembly, the intent is to meet the design requirements for fit, form and function, and also incorporate a certain degree of innovation and elegance to the overall design. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel by introducing a new design.
Read more...PCS stays up so you don’t have to PCS Global
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Maybe it’s time to look at a solution that stays online 99,99999% of the time so you don’t have to. This the world of Stratus computer platforms, tailor-made for your critical applications.
Read more...Four ways the global parts shortage has led to innovation and openness
System Integration & Control Systems Design
For those who use automation parts, the unpredictable nature of the supply chain is one of the biggest problems faced today. The shortfall has impacted every industry, but automation components have been especially affected.
Read more...Iritron’s year of consolidation Iritron
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Despite the multiple challenges faced by businesses in South Africa, the buoyancy of the technology sector worldwide has produced some green shoots for automation specialist, Iritron.
Read more...Five edge opportunities for SIs to maximise revenue in 2024
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators continue to face the challenge of doing more with less – supporting complex operations, while meeting production schedules with limited resources, and innovating to increase efficiency, maximise safety and reduce risk.
Read more...Condition monitoring in a forging press retrofit Beckhoff Automation
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Significantly increased vibration on machines can result in many forms of negative impacts such as reduced system performance or damage to the machine and foundation. Using the example of retrofitting a forging press with a maximum press force of 2000 tons, Wölfel Engineering explains how efficiently the process was tailored and implemented with PC-based control and measurement technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...System integration in the digital age
System Integration & Control Systems Design
To meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive marketplace, many manufacturers (end users) must focus on their core competencies and outsource the rest to experts.
Read more...Choosing a system integrator
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Automation is an essential part of manufacturing today. Whatever the size, an upgrade or migration project can be complex, and the risks can be high. This is where system integrators (SIs) can help. They can bring together complex subsystems or components of a larger system and make them operate as a whole.
Read more...Iritron awarded international contract for furnace control Iritron
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Iritron has been awarded two international, multimillion-Rand furnace drying projects. The company has extensive expertise in furnace drying control systems, and provides solutions in the fields of electrical, instrumentation, control systems, and decision support systems.
Read more...Capitalise on risks by turning them into opportunities for growth Iritron
System Integration & Control Systems Design
In spite of the challenges facing the global and local economy, systems integration expert, Iritron remains optimistic for the year ahead, and believes that there are significant opportunities to be found during a challenging economic climate.
printer friendly version