Fault protection uses fibre-optics
3rd Quarter 2009
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Electrical engineering specialist Moeller has been developing new products to meet the requirements of engineers working towards increased wind turbine generator outputs.
In the field of arc fault protection systems Moeller has introduced its second generation ARCON unit, confirmed by the IPH testing laboratory in Berlin as fully suitable for wind turbines.
The effects of arc faults are serious, ranging from personal injury to extensive switchboard damage. Damaged power distribution systems must be exchanged, and the operator further loses weeks of downtime.
ARCON is able to quench an arc fault in only two milliseconds – long before any serious damage to persons or to the switchboard can occur. It operates by detecting two variables: the light emitted from the arc fault, and the short-circuit current.
For the first, special light sensors connected to fibre-optic cables are laid along the active switchboard sections to transfer some of the extremely bright light of the arc fault to an evaluation device. ARCON uses the current transformers present in the incomers to detect the short-circuit current.
When both detection variables exceed certain specified threshold values at the same time, the evaluation unit triggers a quenching device which produces a three-phase bolted short-circuit as close as possible to the incoming supply and parallel to the location of the fault.
The current takes the path of least resistance and the arc fault is quenched. The entire process – consisting of detection, evaluation and quenching – is completed within two milliseconds. Once the causes of the fault have been rectified and the quenching device replaced, the switchboard is once more ready for service.
For more information contact José Ruivo, CBI-electric: industrial controls, +27 (0)11 977 0700, [email protected], www.moeller.co.za
Further reading:
Specialised heavy lifting and transport solutions for Singapore’s offshore island
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
A groundbreaking land reclamation project on an offshore island in Singapore has paved the way for the country’s first polder, reclaiming about 800 hectares of land.
Read more...
PC-based control for additive machine tools
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.
Read more...
Beckhoff expands economy drive system
Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Beckhoff’s new AM1000 servomotor joins the company’s economy drive system. The compact, powerful motor and the AX1000 servo drive provide users with a perfectly coordinated, cost-optimised drive system.
Read more...
Moving next-generation monopiles
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Wind turbine sizes are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The bigger the turbine, the more power it can generate and the fewer are needed per wind farm. Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more cost-effectively.
Read more...
PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles
Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
New generation surface drill rig
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.
Read more...
Coke drum integrity project at Canadian oil sands site
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Mammoet supported a leading Canadian energy provider in Alberta’s oil sands with replacing its original eight coke drums.
Read more...
Rip-and-ship solution speeds up nuclear decommissioning project
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When removing steam generators from decommissioned nuclear reactor buildings, the most economical method is to remove them in one piece. Mammoet was commissioned by Framatome to support with the removal of four steam generators from PreussenElektra’s Nuclear Power Plant Unterweser in Germany.
Read more...
Helping to solve wastewater challenges
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
KSB Pumps and Valves is doubling its efforts to help government and municipalities find practical and technical solutions to the growing wastewater challenges gripping large parts of the country.
Read more...
printer friendly version