In a joint local effort, Omniflex and R&C Instrumentation have developed a complete power monitoring system available on a local network or via the Internet. Nearly every factory, shopping mall, airport, hospital, office or high rise apartment complex has an electrical room providing power distribution throughout the facility. Most of these equipment rooms reside in the basement out of sight and in many cases out of mind, until there is a failure.
The distribution system usually includes high voltage metal-clad switchgear, cast resin transformers, low voltage switchgear and panels. A fault or failure in any one of these components can result in power outages, loss of productivity and even fire or an explosion.
Routine checks of these components normally consist of current and voltage measurements and most recently thermographic ‘snapshots’ of the temperature distribution in the switchgear. These tests are normally done once or twice a year and whilst adequate for some applications do not provide a 24/7 monitoring service.
The solution
The installation of the simple power monitoring system allows all voltage, current and non-contact temperature measurement of critical power services, to be checked and monitored either via a local control room display or via the Internet. This can be expanded to generate user defined alarm points that are transmitted to the cellphones of the required personnel.
High connection temperature, overload, phase imbalance, power factor, voltage and current levels are all available via the system. Even power consumption and costing can be displayed.
The system consists of the Omniflex GPRS module providing the intelligence with its data inputs coming from Raytek’s Mi3 series IR thermometers and a conventional power monitor. The units all communicate on a Modbus network to allow for system expandability. This 24/7 system monitoring critical power supplies can save both plant downtime and labour and ensure peace of mind from a safety perspective.
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