Electricity + Control August 2019

round up POWER QUALITY, STANDBY + BACK-UP

Smart grid solutions can minimise power outages

- reduce the number of customers affected by the outage. The information routes emergency repair crews to the precise location so they can begin fixes quickly. According to a US report, FLISR technology has reduced customer minutes of interruption (CMI) by up to 51% for an outage event and reduced the number of customers interrupted (CI) by up to 45%. A further advantage of self-healing grid (SHG) technology is that, unlike the conventional centralised control approach, it is decentralised. In the event of a power fault, substations communicate with each other to execute the best possible instruction for rapid fault isolation and restoration of power supply. According to Schneider Electric, the average restoration time with SHG is reduced to under one minute, while the conventional approach can take hours (or days). EcoStruxure is Schneider Electric’s innovative IoT-enabled, open and interoperable architecture, delivering enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability and connectivity for its customers. Enquiries: Schneider Electric.Tel +27 (0)11 245 6400

Utilities should adapt smart grids to thrive in a decarbonised, digitised and decentralised electric world. This is the view of Schneider Electric which encourages utilities to change the way they think about energy and how innovations, such as EcoStruxure Grid (its ecosystem of smart grids and digital offers), provide solutions. Until recently, electric utilities have been largely dependent on customers for notifications of an outage. Now, using smart grid solutions with ‘self-healing’ capabilities, utilities can monitor power equipment remotely to: - quickly identify faults - shorten the frequency and duration of outages - recover faster. This represents a significant advance as even short disruptions inconvenience customers and cause financial or productivity losses. One of the primary characteristics of a smart grid is its ability to self-heal. Self-healing capabilities allow for continuous system self- assessments – inspecting, analysing, reacting and automatically responding to problems – and can therefore minimise grid failures or blackouts. These capabilities are supported by the widespread deployment of sensors, other intelligent devices and automated controls that check and evaluate the status and condition of the network to identify abnormalities and problems. Using this information, the grid can accurately isolate network failure and react to protect the power infrastructure. This intelligent automation enables more effective monitoring and decision making without human intervention. The result is a more reliable grid that maximises uptime and increases the efficiency and security of utilities’ systems. Technology has also changed the way utilities can respond to an outage, making it easier to determine the where, when and why of the problem. Fault location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR) technology lets utilities: - get power back on faster by detecting the fault location quickly using real-time information collected from field devices - reconfigure the flow of electricity to resupply power to the de-energised parts of the distribution network Kwikblok ® rail-mounted terminals and accessories from Pratley are smaller and more compact than ordinary terminals and have the advantage of being virtually unbreakable because they are manufactured from Polyamide 6.6, which is exceedingly tough. With their modular, interlocking design, Kwikblok terminals are quick to assemble and the preassembled blocks can simply be push-mounted onto a standard N35 rail. Groups of preassembled blocks can be snapped onto the rail similarly. Pratley MD, Eldon Kruger, points out that, once snapped-on, the feet of the terminals are relieved from stress, which means the plastic will not fatigue. A single-piece housing prevents side thrust on the plastic, which eliminates cracking completely. The terminals also incorporate unique ‘griplok’ contacts that provide security against any screws coming loose, while the griplok shoe makes for easy wire insertion and protection. The spring- loaded griplok shoes ensure secure contact even with cold flow

Automated self-healing grid technologies, like Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Grid, enable power utilities to monitor equipment remotely.

Virtually unbreakable electrical terminals

wires, while the roll-threaded screws allow for high clamping torque. “We have a wide range of Kwikblok accessories, including VL connecting straps, VBU supports, VBL removable jumpers, VSK safety covers, VS connecting clamps, IW and iWFK2.5 insulating partitions, SK end clamps, KAW safety covers, VB and SB2.5 connecting links, STB plug sockets, PST test plugs, mounting rails, and G-cartridge fuses,” Eldon adds. Separator blocks can be supplied with a TS plug for easy disconnection (IKTS4).These serve to open and/or close the circuit easily without removing the conductor.The IKTS4 separator blocks can also be fitted with various useful electronic plug accessories. The IKT10 universal separator can accept test plugs/sockets or removable jumper connection terminals. An HSK50 general strip marker is also available to fit all Kwikblok sizes. Enquiries: Contact Pratley.Tel +27 (0)11 955 2190, or email: sales@pratley.co.za

Electricity + Control

AUGUST 2019

25