Battery Analyzer

World Energy Labs announces improvements to the test algorithms used within its series of Interrogator ElectroChemical battery analyzers. These algorithm improvements allow for test-time reductions and improved performance in the presence of high temperature and electrical noise. The Interrogator is used to measure the complete state of health of stationary batteries, which are used by energy utilities to provide backup power for switchgear and telecommunications equipment.

The instrument's capabilities especially benefit utilities that rely heavily on load testing and specific gravity measurements to ensure that backup power will perform during outages. Because the Interrogator gives information about the chemical health of the battery string, these time-consuming, risky procedures can be performed less frequently, if not be completely eliminated from the maintenance schedule.

The instrument's proprietary technology Chemical Electrical Layer Scan (CEL-Scan) fulfills IEEE requirements for ohmic testing of stationary batteries. With lead-acid batteries, the Interrogator measures capacity loss due to sulfation and dryout, or loss of electrolyte from sealed batteries.
World Energy Labs | www.worldenergylabs.com

LiMnO₂ Hybrid Cells

Maxell Corporation of America's advanced hybrid cells, models CR17450 and CR17335, were designed to industry-standard sizes and have an 8% to 9% higher capacity compared to similar cells.

The cell's wide operational temperature range of -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F), with an improved heat-proof temperature of 90°C to 100°C (194°F to 212°F) and internal minute short-circuit prevention — enabled by proprietary technology that prevents internal short circuits — makes these cells intrinsically safe.

The CR17450 has a typical capacity of 2600 mAh, while the CR17335 has a typical capacity of 1750 mAh. These next-generation cells have a voltage of 3 V and feature a stable sloping-discharge curve at various depths of discharge, allowing for accurate prediction of end of life.
Maxell Corporation of America www.maxell.com.

Metering Transponder

Elster Electricity and Distribution Control Systems Inc. (DCSI) announce the release of the Universal Metering Transponder (UMT-C-A3) for Elster's A3 ALPHA meter. The UMT-C transponder expands the capabilities of the TWACS power-line communications network to retrieve critical meter data from the A3 ALPHA meter at commercial and industrial metering locations.

The UMT-C-A3 provides enhanced outage tracking and analysis, demand reset and more mapped registers (up to 32). The UMT-C communicates with the A3 ALPHA meter using ANSI C12.19-1997 standard tables to provide remote retrieval of meter data for energy consumption, maximum demand, power factor, reactive energy, apparent energy, reverse energy notification and per-phase voltage readings. Status and alarms originating in the meter are also retrieved and reported.

The UMT-C provides a seven-day history of daily-consumption readings and supports up to four channels of interval data with a data capacity of up to 35 days, depending on the DCSI host system used. These channels can be used to record interval data of forward, reverse, net or secure energy in 15-, 30- or 60-minute periods. The transponder is capable of supporting Fast Poll inquiries that allow easy outage assessment using DCSI's PROASYST software application. UMT-C transponders fully support detailed outage information in the form of blink and sustained outage information.

The A3 ALPHA, equipped with the UMT-C transponder, may be installed on any meter with voltages between 120 V and 480 V. This wide-voltage application reduces the number of meter-transponder combinations that would be required to meet the variety of electrical services provided by the utility.
DCSI | www.twacs.com — Elster Electricity | www.elsterelectricity.com

Line Distance Protection

GE Multilin's new D90Plus is designed as a single-platform solution for the protection of medium-voltage and extra-high-voltage transmission lines.

The D90 Plus is a subcycle distance relay with true convergence of multi-ple functions, including advanced automation and control, high-accuracy digital fault recording, comprehensive communications and extensive local human-machine-interface capabilities. True convergence of functions eliminates the need to have multiple stand-alone devices resulting in significant savings in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and life-time costs.
GE Multilin | www.GEMultilin.com

Horizontal Boring Tool

The Grundomat piercing tool from TT Technologies is ideal for water and sewer service and lateral installations. Sixteen models, from 1.75 inches to 7 inches (44 mm to 178 mm) in diameter, are available for horizontal boring distances from 50 ft to 150 ft (15 m to 46 m). The Grundomat offers high-impact power and is easily reversed during the bore. The tool's reciprocating stepped-cone chisel head helps ensure accuracy in rocky soils.
TT Technologies | www.tttechnologies.com

Handheld Computer

Trimble's Nomad series of handheld computers comes standard with an 806-MHz processor, 128 MB of memory and integrated Bluetooth technology. In addition, a range of optional configurations are available including an integrated global positioning system receiver, a bar-code scanner, a digital camera and 802.11g (WiFi).

The computer allows users to collect, save and transmit data from the field. Integrated GPS gives users location data for navigation. Users can also collect bar-code information with the integrated laser scanner, and capture color images for inspections and maintenance with the 2-megapixel digital camera.
Trimble | www.trimble.com/rugged

EPRI Red Book

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has documented and distilled the knowledge of the world's top overhead transmission experts in the EPRI AC Transmission Line Reference Book: 200 kV and Above, Third Edition. In June, it was made available to all at a reduced price to help propel this new reference into worldwide use.

For 30 years, transmission engineers have turned to the EPRI Red Book to confirm design parameters, select technology, optimize designs, defend decisions or understand non-routine topics.

In collaboration with member utilities, EPRI assembled a global team of experts who updated 11 chapters in the book and added four new ones to cover the full spectrum of overhead transmission topics, from fundamental concepts through insulation coordination, corona and field effects, and applications — including an extensive treatment of applications over 700 kV.

More than 50 small software programs, called applets, are provided on a CD-ROM that's included with the hardcover text. These applets allow the user to see precise results as well as trends.
EPRI | www.epri.com

Slip-Resistant Ground Mat

Chance has introduced a second form of its Equi-Mat Personal Protective Ground Grid with a napped surface for superior footing in rain, snow and ice conditions. The new Slip-Resistant version is black. This distinquishes it from the original standard (orange) Equi-Mat Grid, which is still available and in the same sizes as the Slip-Resistant: 58 inches by 58 inches (1.5 m by 1.5 m), 58 inches by 120 inches (1.5 m by 3 m) and 120 inches by 120 inches (3 m by 3 m). Both versions comply with OSHA 1910.269 for equipotential requirements near vehicles, underground gear, overhead switches and in substations.

All sizes also come in prepackaged kits with a grounding-cable set, ball stud and storage bag.
Hubbell Power Systems
www.hubbellpowersystems.com