Monitoring surge arresters from remote locations

September 2013 Electrical Power & Protection

Dehn’s condition monitoring system allows surge protection devices (SPDs) to be monitored remotely. The compact DRC MCM XT DIN rail mounted device is designed for condition monitoring of up to 10 pre-programmed Blitzductor XT arresters (40 signal lines) and features an integrated LifeCheck monitoring circuit.

Integrated into the SPD modules, LifeCheck monitors the condition of the SPD and acts as an early warning system, detecting imminent electrical or thermal overload of the protection components. The LifeCheck status can be read via contactless RFID technology using the portable DEHNrecord LC device and it also shows the date of the last test of the module. A fault message is indicated by a three colour LED, which is transmitted to one of two integrated remote signalling contacts.

When several DRC MCM XT modules are used in one switchgear cabinet, the systems are connected via the integrated RS-485 interfaces to synchronise the monitoring cycles. Up to 15 systems can be connected to the RS-485 bus, allowing up to 150 Blitzductors or 300 pairs to be monitored simultaneously with minimum wiring effort.

Software for the conditioning monitoring system is available as an option and indicates the status of the SPDs and addresses the LifeCheck equipped Blitzductor modules.

For more information contact Dev Naidoo, Surgetek, +27 (0)11 792 1303, [email protected], www.surgetek.co.za

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