PRODUCTS & Services
Outage-Avoidance System
The new EXACTER Outage-Avoidance System helps utilities avoid power outages before they occur by identifying electrical failure signatures from power lines, transformers, regulators, insulators, cutouts, lightning arrestors and other line components.
The unit is mounted inside a utility vehicle (or other vehicle), and as the vehicle moves about its normal routes, EXACTER surveys the area for incipient electrical failure signatures. Advanced sensor arrays gather and post data to a web information portal, identifying exact GPS locations of line equipment disturbances. The unit also identifies and quantifies the intensity of the disturbance to help maintenance managers prioritize work assignments using its maintenance merit scale. The system filters out noise and false-positive signals, allowing it to identify only arc sources.
This reliability-centered maintenance system allows maintenance managers to plan “intelligent” preventive programs based on the locations of future line disturbances. EXACTER requires no training or additional staff to operate. Users lease hardware and have access to their own area of the web information portal where they can view and print maps and reports.
Exacter Inc. | www.exacterinc.com
Solar-Powered Bird Repeller
Bird-B-Gone Inc. introduces the Repeller, a solar-powered unit that uses continuous motion to prevent large birds from landing. Rotating rods mounted on top of the unit sweep birds off of streetlights, balconies, boats, AC units and more. The two adjustable “arms” cover up to 5 ft (1.5 m) in diameter by turning continuously at 30 RPMs. A solar panel powers a heavy-duty brushless motor that will store energy.
The Bird Repeller is a humane way to effectively deter large bird species, including pigeons and seagulls. Ideal in high-visibility areas, it can be mounted on flat or angled surfaces.
Bird-B-Gone | www.birdbgone.com
LTC Monitor
The Qualitrol 509-300 load tap changer (LTC) monitor provides thorough LTC diagnostics and enables condition-based maintenance, thus eliminating calendar-based maintenance and preventing unexpected repairs.
An intelligent electronic device, the 509-300 LTC monitor's accurate equipment assessment improves the reliability of transformers equipped with LTCs. The monitor can determine tap position; create a tap position history; detect contact wear or coking; monitor the LTC drive motor and mechanism; and detect proper tap movement, alerting you to potential problems and extending the life of your transformer.
Designed to be mounted outdoors or in the transformer control cabinet, the device comes with a universal power supply and computer-aided setup software. It also can be supplied with non-intrusive, easy-to-retrofit sensors.
Qualitrol Corp. | www.qualitrolcorp.com
Map Updating Software
Trimble introduces its Fieldport Web-based wireless software suite for utility field service management and location-based mobile mapping.
Fieldport integrates GIS and GPS positioning data with customer and asset information for mobile workers. With the addition of a field revision management and mobile GIS redlining tool, workers can use text and graphics to note field conditions that are different than those indicated on maps in the GIS. Comments are immediately available to other field crews accessing the GIS, and the annotations are submitted electronically to those responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the mapping system.
The new field revision management and mobile GIS redlining features also include advanced workflow management capabilities. Work orders can be generated automatically to streamline the process of repairing and maintaining field assets. The identity of the user submitting the change, time, date and other details are also tracked automatically.
Trimble | www.trimble.com
Electronic Torque Wrench
The Computorq III E-WRENCH from Wright Tool digitally displays fastener torque specification settings, torque readings and peak hold measurements on a LCD display. A keypad has selectable torque units and conversion readouts in foot-pounds, inch-pounds, kilogram-centimeter and Newton-meters. It is available in ¼-, ⅜- and ½-inch (6.3-, 9.5-,12.7-mm)-drive wrenches.
The wrench stores up to 4000 torque values in memory. The Computorq II downloads individual torque values, or stored values can be directly downloaded to a printer, computer or data logger via a modem.
Wright Tool | www.wrighttool.com
Suspension and Support
Designed for all aluminum-based transmission conductors, CUSHION-GRIP Suspension and CUSHION-GRIP Support products from Preformed Line Products work together to minimize and reduce bending strain by as much as 50% compared to bare conductor in a bolted clamp.
By holding cable in die-cast aluminum-alloy housings, cushioned by integral elastomer inserts, dynamic and static stresses are reduced at support points. Bending stresses, located where the conductor enters the cushioned segments, are also reduced. The Suspension is installed by spreading the body halves, placing them over the conductor and tightening the bolts. It is designed for EHV applications and suitable for hot stick installation.
Preformed Line Products
www.preformed.com
SF6 Monitoring for Indoor GIS
The SF
Based on the physical principal of infrared spectroscopy the SF
These features make it an ideal tool to assure working place safety and to prevent SF
G.A.S. Gesellschaft fÜr analytische Sensorsysteme mbH | www.gas-dortmund.de
Interval Recording Systems
DENT Instruments' E-Kit Interval Recording Systems feature the ElitePro Recording Power Meter and exceed all requirements for determining the existing electrical load level (kilovolt-amp demand) as defined by Article 220 of the National Electric Code (NEC). The E-Kit includes everything necessary to economically determine the power consumption of the load averaged over 15-minute intervals as defined by the NEC.
All DENT E-Kits are supplied as complete systems and include the ElitePro Recording Power Meter and properly sized current transformers. The meters also use DENT's proprietary ELOG software to present and analyze the collected data. ELOG has a variety of preprogrammed analyses and graphs, and data files can be exported to spreadsheets and databases such as Excel and Access.
DENT Instruments | www.dentinstruments.com
Enterprise Energy Management Suite
Itron Inc.'s Enterprise Energy Management (EEM) Suite v3.6 offers many new features to manage the real-world business process of understanding and analyzing energy consumption and risk, and to help companies gain control over their energy costs.
EEM Suite v3.6 software tools will help large enterprises manage energy and water usage in a single Internet-based solution. Features include:
Emissions reporting module. Usage information can be turned into valuable greenhouse gas reporting data for use internally or for reporting to third-party registries.
Integration with Energy Star's automated benchmarking. This provides a benchmark for one facility against similar facilities nationwide. Data from the EEM Suite can be electronically sent to the EPA's Energy Star National Energy Rating System, and the rating will be returned and displayed in the EEM Suite.
Cumulative summary report. This tool allows the operator to track the cumulative variance between two time periods or two bill scenarios.
Enhancements to rate analysis reports. When there is incomplete data for the selected data, a rate analysis report and warning message will be displayed.
Federal reporting module. New reports to assist federal entities in tracking of kilowatt-hours/square-foot savings against 2003 baseline year required by EPACT 2005.
Access 2003 R2 and SQL 2005 support.
Minor product enhancements.
Itron Inc. | www.itron.com
Spill Containment
Albarrie Canada Ltd. and Kinectrics Inc. announce SorbWeb Plus secondary oil spill-containment technology. Initially offered to the power industry, SorbWeb Plus technology is now being extended to spills and leaks associated with transformers, capacitors, storage tank facilities and other oil-filled equipment.
Albarrie | www.albarrie.com
Digital Voltage Indicator
HD Electric Co.'s DVI-100T digital voltage indicator with capacitive test-point mode is a new addition to HD Electric's digital voltage indicator line. This unit is a direct-contact compact instrument designed to read the voltage on a conductor up to 99-kV line-to-ground. The large 2.5-inch (63.5-mm) ultra-bright LED display is easy to read on the end of a long hotstick. It can be used on overhead lines or in underground applications by contacting the conductor and reading the display. The DVI-100T also can measure elbow test points when it is in capacitive test point mode. These units give an audible indication of voltage detected and allow the user to distinguish between nominal and induced voltages.
HD Electric Co. | www.HDElectricCompany.com
Cable Peeling Tool
GBZ Mannheim GmbH & Co.KG has developed the Peeling Tool GB-P20 for removing the bonded extruded semi-conductive layer of medium-voltage cables. The tool can be used for preparing medium-voltage cables with a working range diameter of 10 mm to 50 mm. The adjustable feed angle features three adjustment possibilities to support the stripping process, and to reduce and avoid manual mistakes during the preparation process.
The wear-resistant cutting blade is manufactured, grinded and polished from tungsten carbide. The cutting depth of the blade is adjustable in steps between approximately 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. After adjustment of the necessary cutting depth the blade can be fixed and secured by locking a screw. By releasing the screw the cutting depth can be adjusted new, if needed. The Peeling Tool GB-P20 can be supplied as an individual tool or as a complete assembly.
GBZ Mannheim GmbH & Co.KG | www.gb-z.de
Secure Networking Framework
GarrettCom Inc. has launched an initiative to provide and promote best practices for industrial network security. Central to the initiative is the Magnum Secure Networking Framework (MSNF), which consists of functional building blocks and secure networking protocols.
Cyber-security programs, such as the power utility sector's NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, demonstrate that comprehensive risk mitigation and regulatory compliance require many technology and procedural elements. GarrettCom's MSNF provides network-centric solutions for cyber-security protection, while providing a framework for integration with the overall supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and information systems infrastructure.
MSNF consists of six functional building blocks that can be implemented using various combinations of products from GarrettCom and strategic industry partners. MSNF elements are: secure network management, WAN perimeter security, serial and Ethernet port security, access control, network back-up and recovery, and legacy non-routable protocol-secure transport.
GarrettCom Inc. | www.garrettcom.com
High-Voltage Circuit Breaker
ABB's 145PM63-B high-voltage circuit breaker uses a new high-performance interrupter to serve 121- to 145-kV applications at 40-, 50- and 63-kA ratings, without the need for shunt capacitors, to meet ANSI standards for short line fault interrupting performance. The breaker footprint and overall dimensions are identical to earlier 145PM designs. The breaker retains the advantages of spring-hydraulic drive technology with the HMB-2 operating mechanism, a more powerful version of the well-proven type HMB-1 unit used by its predecessor.
Key features of the new breaker include:
Lower engineering, acquisition, installation and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for shunt capacitors for applications where short line fault interrupting capability is required.
Simplified SF
6 gas system, eliminating potential leak points.Elimination of breaker-mounted capacitors, lowering total weight and reducing foundation costs.
Easy replacement of current transformers in the field without removing the bushings, significantly reducing maintenance or modification expense.
Modularized high-performance interrupter platform, enabling the one-piece units to be easily removed and replaced in the field during maintenance. This cuts maintenance cycle time on an interrupter to approximately one day or less. A factory exchange program can further reduce replacement expenses through use of pre-tested units, which require no field adjustments.
Composite bushings with silicone rubber insulators that offer a pollution-resistant, lighter-weight construction (porcelain bushings optionally available).
ABB | www.abb.com
Transformer Online Monitoring System
MTE's HYDROCAL 1002 is a preventive maintenance device that is permanently mounted on the transformer. It measures continuously the most important fault gases in a power transformer, hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, it serves for recording the fault gas contents, allows alarm levels to be set for each fault gas and offers output interfaces (4 mA to 20 mA) individually for H2 and CO content.
Key advantages of the monitoring system include:
Individual analysis of the dissolved gas contents H2 and CO
Lightweight, easy-to-mount solution without any oil extraction from the transformer
Installation on the operational transformer without any supply interruption
Software showing gas contents as a bar graph, trend analysis, alarm setting directly on the transformer and via remote communication on a central PC system
Easy installation on the transformer tank or any valve on the transformer (connection to DIN or NPT valves as well as via flange connection).
MTE Meter Test Equipment AG | www.mte.ch
Technology and Management Consulting
R.W. Beck has acquired technology and management consulting firm Plexus Research Inc. Since 1985, Plexus has offered utility industry consulting services in the technologies, applications and economics of advanced energy systems, especially in the areas of advanced metering infrastructure, automated meter reading applications, load management, premises automation, telecommunications, customer communications and demand response.
The addition of Plexus to the R. W. Beck portfolio will complement the breadth and caliber of the consulting services R.W. Beck provides within the energy industry and will allow the company to apply its expanding industry knowledge for the benefit of its clients. R.W. Beck's clients now have ready access to all Plexus services.
R.W. Beck | www.rwbeck.com
Wireless Control and Monitoring
FF-AUTOMATION has released a new product to control and monitor remotely processes, devices and machines. The data communication from devices to Control Room is based on GSM network or Internet. The connection is half duplex to make monitoring, reporting and controlling possible. The device includes programmable logic controllers, fixed-time controls, Modbus protocol, iBUTTON identification and HMI (screen/keyboard). No other automation devices are needed. Maintenance and changes of program versions are made via wireless network. The device has up to 64 DI, 64 DO, 32AI, 16AO and 32 PID. There is also low-power battery version available.
Data communication is based on SMS-messages or TCP/IP protocol via GPRS. A user can control remotely devices wherever and whenever via Internet, GSM/TETRA phone or PDA. The user needs to have only rights to control the specific devices. The communication is protected with passwords, identification of phone numbers, calling back and other checks to prevent abuse.
FF-AUTOMATION
www.ff-automation.com
Flame-Resistant Clothing
Workrite Uniform has launched its Dickies FR clothing line, a selection of popular Dickies pants, shirts and jacket styles made from FR fabrics. Dickies FR marks the first collaboration of Workrite Uniform and Dickies, both part of the Williamson-Dickies Manufacturing Co.
The initial Dickies FR line consists of: five-pocket jeans, carpenter jeans, work shirts and hooded duck jackets.
Identical in pattern and fit to longtime Dickies favorites, the inaugural Dickies FR line features Indura and Ultra Soft fabrics, comfortable cotton blend and 100% cotton denim FR fabrics made by Westex, a longtime Workrite partner. The Dickies FR line will include traditional workwear features such as the hammer loop and tool pocket on the carpenter jean and a hardhat-sized hood on the duck jacket.
Workrite Uniform
www.workrite.com
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2009 Penton Media Inc.
