TMCnet News

PRODUCTS & Services
[July 31, 2012]

PRODUCTS & Services


(Transmission & Distribution World Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Cable Fault Pinpointer The new MPP2000 pinpointer from Megger incorporates a large backlit color display that not only shows magnetic and acoustic signal levels, but also the relative distance and direction to the fault.



Used in conjunction with a high-voltage surge generator to create a flashover at the point of the fault, the pinpointer detects both the electromagnetic and acoustic signals produced by the flashover. The instrument evaluates the time difference between these signals and uses this to determine the relative distance to the fault, thereby eliminating the misleading results that are often produced by instruments that rely on signal strength alone.

The MPP2000 pinpointer incorporates two electromagnetic signal level indicators, allowing it to provide information not only about the direction to the fault, but also the actual route of the cable. Also provided is a bright LED indicator that gives instant confirmation that an electromagnetic signal has been detected, even if there is no acoustic signal present.


To ensure reliable operation even in the most difficult applications, the MPP2000 uses a lightweight ground microphone with an integral windshield, and it is supplied with headphones. User adjustable bandpass filtering is also provided for enhanced background noise suppression.

The MPP2000 pinpointer has an operating temperature range of -20°C to +50°C (-4°F and 122°F) and is housed in a lightweight ergonomic case with an IP54 protection rating, making it suitable for use outdoors even in demanding weather conditions. The combined electromagnetic probe and ground microphone is lightweight yet robust, and can be disassembled for easy transportation and storage.

Megger | www.megger.com Real-Time Transmission Line Monitoring System Promethean Devices has developed a non-contact, real-time sensor system for the monitoring of high-voltage overhead transmission lines. The system uses calibrated ac magnetic field sensors (located roughly under the phase conductors) to accurately and reliably measure the three-phase ac magnetic fields. System operation and accuracy are not affected by wind, rain, ice, snow, dust or smoke. Once installed in the transmission right-of-way and calibrated, the system reports three-phase currents, conductor clearance and maximum conductor temperature; an IEEE-738-consistent dynamic ampacity/rating is then estimated.

The RT-TLMS is installed just above or just under the right-of-way surface, as determined by ground conditions, terrain or utility/TO/ISO end users. Solar panels and system electronics are above ground; batteries are below ground. Transmission outages are not required for installation, calibration or maintenance. The RT-TLMS employs rugged field-proven equipment, assemblies, components and materials.

Given a static IP address, secure data is transmitted wirelessly to any designated database where it may be accessed only by authorized users. The data is also displayed by a password-protected, real-time, web-based graphical user interface.

Promethean Devices, LLC | www.prometheandevices.com Condition-Diagnosis Software for Primary Assets The Primary Test Manager (PTM) support software for condition diagnosis of power transformers, circuit breakers and current transformers aids the user when testing and measuring with OMICRON's multifunctional test system CPC 100.

PTM makes condition diagnosis of primary assets faster, easier and safer. An integrated, high-performance database allows electrical assets and the associated test plans to be managed easily.

The software guides the user through the testing process with comprehensive testing procedures and detailed wiring diagrams. Tests can be assessed automatically according to international standards and accepted industry practice. Thus, the user achieves a high level of security in carrying out tests as well as in assessing the results. The software also automatically generates protocols based on the results, which can be adapted to provide individual reports.

The combination of PTM and CPC 100 meets national and international standards, such as IEEE 62 (C57.152) or IEC 60076-1 and -3, and exceeds all measurement and accuracy requirements.

Omicron | www.omicron.at Human Machine Interface Terminals Increased manufacturing activity and population growth require highly effective and efficient monitoring and operating interfaces for power transmission and distribution in order to optimize power usage.

American Industrial Systems Inc. (AIS) announces new solutions for control room monitoring and energy analysis. These solutions also provide support for power-grid geographical monitoring and power-supply diagnosis, power substations local monitoring, data acquisition and data recording, wind generators, solar panels and green energy monitoring.

The systems offer an all-in-one hardware and software platform for SCADA, distributed control system and programmable logic controller applications, reducing development times by providing users with an open, flexible, easy to maintain platform for power-industry segments.

AIS' high-performance open operator interface terminals are available through Avnet Embedded. Products include 4.3-, 7-, 10- and 15-inch (11-, 18-, 25- and 38-cm) HMI terminals, which offer highly flexible network solutions to interconnect automation products, including PLCs, I/O devices and computers. The AIS HMI touch panel offers a wide variety of communications interfaces and protocols, effectively connecting plants and machine control systems.

American Industrial Systems Inc. | www.aispro.com Fall-Arrest Service Crane Basket Diversified Products introduces the next generation of its fall-arrest service crane basket, which is designed for accessing high-reach maintenance areas, especially on large equipment. The new yoke-style baskets quickly attach to service cranes, providing personnel with a convenient, safe alternative to renting aerial lifts, using ladders or climbing on equipment.

Diversified's baskets include a bracket for attaching to most available service crane trucks. For easy storage and transport, the baskets are also offered with a new specialized carrier, which installs behind the truck in the receiver hitch. This system allows operators to carry the baskets with them from site to site without tying up space in their truck beds.

For maximum durability the service crane baskets are constructed of heavy-duty steel. The full-sized floor is 30 inches by 30 inches (76 cm by 76 cm), and the inward-opening doors are designed to save space, promote easy entry and provide additional worker safety.

Other standard features include floor slots to drain water, upset holes to prevent slippage, lanyard attach points, and a low-maintenance, high-capacity caliper brake to increase stability. These features allow the man baskets to meet or exceed ASME standard B30.23 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 requirements for personnel lifting systems.

Options include a step for added convenience, a stand for installation on uneven ground or large cranes, and a CSA-approved upper basket enclosure.

Diversified Products | www.diversifiedproduct.com Oil Condition Monitoring Sensor Solution Tan Delta offers a range of highly accurate oil condition monitoring solutions that accurately monitor multiple critical oil parameters and provide instant real-time oil condition status reports.

Research shows that a reduction in oil quality within an electricity transformer has a material and potentially catastrophic effect on its performance and reliability. Therefore, it is essential that suppliers and operators monitor the condition of the oil and take action to ensure optimal performance when necessary.

Tan Delta has developed two solutions that can be implemented by transformer manufacturers and utility operators. Both leverage the proven performance of the OQS Series 2 oil sensor which uses patented technology to simultaneously monitor multiple elements in the oil to provide accurate real-time data on the condition of the oil in the transformer.

The OQS Series 2 sensor itself can be permanently fitted to virtually any tansformer and provide constant real-time data on the oil condition. This data can be integrated with existing monitoring systems or as a stand-alone system.

The Mobile Oil Testing Kit is used by maintenance teams to test oil immediately on site. This negates the normal delay and cost associated with sending oil to distant laboratories for testing. Immediate condition awareness also allows the team to take action while on site, further reducing cost.

Tan Delta Systems Ltd. | www.tandeltasystems.com Tablet Computer GammaTech's latest rugged tablet, the T7Q, for mobile field professionals is designed to stand up to many heavy-duty industrial applications. The small and lightweight tablet has a TFT LCD display with resistive touch-screen panel and LED backlighting, an m-SATA SSD drive and Intel Atom Processor, as well as an integrated 5.0-megapixel camera at the back of the unit.

With a host of options including a bar-code scanner, RFID reader, GPS receiver and I/O ports such as USB, RS-232, and RJ-45, the ultra-portable T7Q tablet can be used on the move or in an office. The T7Q meets Military Standard 810G for drop, shock, spill, salt, fog and freeze/thaw resistance, and meets IP-65 for protection against dust and water. It also features multiple security options, including TPM 1.2 data security technology, BIOS built-in security, a Kensignton lock connector, as well as one-click Stealth Mode and Computrace compatibility.

GammaTech | www.GammaTechUSA.com Simulation Software Energy Exemplar announces the latest update to the PLEXOS for Power Systems Version 6 software. PLEXOS 6.206 introduces a new feature in power market modelling: interleaved simulations.

This simulation mode, unique to the PLEXOS software, will change the way you study power markets that involve multiple time frames, such as day-ahead and real-time markets, and the way that you perform assessments of renewable generation integration, value of storage and smart grids. Combine this feature with the power of PLEXOS stochastic optimization, true hydro and pumped storage optimization, integrated ancillary services and transmission co-optimization, and you can see how PLEXOS can be described as a leader in its field.

PLEXOS 6.206 is available for download. Check out the full set of release notes to find out about the other new features in this version, including LOLP constraints for LT Plan and ancillary services, new integer fuel selection logic, inter-regional sharing of ancillary services, and an all-new warning and error message management interface.

Energy Exemplar energyexemplar.com Beacons E2S has developed the Spectra beacon family to extend its industrial range of audible and visual signalling devices. Available in three sizes, six lens colors, and a choice of static, flashing filament, Xenon strobe, rotating or LED versions, Spectra offers a solution for all situations, including safety warning, status indication and fire alarm.

The LED option gives longer operational life and lower total life costs than a traditional filament lamp, which is an important consideration for continuous-use applications or where access or maintenance is difficult. The low-voltage DC LED version has a choice of nine user-selectable modes, giving continuous, flashing, rotating, double strike and alternate side flash modes; up to three stages of alarm can be selected through the appropriate wiring connections. The B300 has a dual-frequency option where a flash rate of 1 Hz or 2 Hz can be selected remotely through the wiring configuration to provide two stages of warning. The Xenon strobe B300 and B400 models are optionally available in synchronized versions so that all devices on the same power-supply circuit flash in unison, a particular benefit in fire alarm applications.

Primarily intended for surface mounting, pole- and wall-mounting options are available, and all units have a choice of cable entries. Manufactured from UV-stabilized polycarbonate, Spectra beacons will not fade when exposed to direct sunlight and are protected to IP65.

E2S Warning Signals, LLC www.e2swarningsignals.com Full-Range, Current-Limiting Dropout Fuse The Cooper Power Systems ELF fuse is a full-range, current-limiting dropout fuse with a self-contained design that eliminates noise and potential expulsive showers associated with expulsion fuse operation.

The ELF-LR fuse has been granted permanent exemption by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from pole vegetation clearance requirements when installed in the field according to manufacturer's specifications. The exemption reduces vegetation maintenance, eliminating the need to maintain the required radius of mowed grasses beneath every distribution pole, and assures increased safety to line personnel during circuit re-energizing operation. The ELF fuse reduces field service time with simplified fault location and easy clamp stick installation from the ground, as well as its out-of-the-box, single-piece construction. The fuse is retrofitable into industry standard interchangeable cutouts.

The ELF fuse has a voltage ratings range from 8.3 kV to 24 kV, while the single-, double-, and triple-barrel fuse designs expand amperage ratings from 6 A to 80 A for easy coordination up and down the distribution line to protect pole-mounted transformers, single- and three-phase laterals, and line tap fusing used in series.

Cooper Power Systems www.cooperpowersystems.com SCADA Training Videos Semaphore's new installment in the SCADA training video series provides tips and insights on making the most of SCADA applications.

The latest video describes multi-communications capabilities in a remote terminal unit (RTU). Exemplified by Semaphore's TBox products, today's RTUs are often installed in applications requiring simultaneous network communications over diverse networks and using multiple communications protocols. Software tools that expedite communications configuration and hardware/firmware platforms that efficiently handle multi-communications are critical to project success.

Semaphore | www.cse-semaphore.com Fault Current Limiter Phoenix Electric Corp. introduces the Capture Fault Current Limiter concept, which employs new technology to make utility substations more reliable.

Using passively dynamic Faultron electron tube technology, the Fault Current Limiter traps and diffuses fault currents, protecting substation equipment and preventing power outages. Since it eliminates the need for fuses, the Fault Current Limiter also eliminates the time and expense of buying and managing an inventory of spares.

The Fault Current Limiters have an operational frequency of 60 Hz and a maximum current let-through of 20 kA. The 15-kV voltage class limiters have continuous current ratings up to 3,000 A and a BIL of 110 kV. The 27-kV voltage class limiters have continuous current ratings up to 4,000 A and a BIL of 150 kV. All units have a response time measured in microseconds. An integrated monitoring control system ensures the proper operation of the Fault Current Limiter unit and signals any malfunctions or anomalies.

Phoenix Electric Corp. | www.pec-usa.biz LED Video Walls Barco unveils the new OverView M series of LED-lit rear-projection video walls. This new series joins the existing OverView O series, allowing Barco to offer every customer the video wall solution that best suits his or her needs.

The first range of OverView M video wall cubes to hit the market are the 4:3 aspect ratio versions, available with screen diagonals of 60, 67 and 80 inches (152, 170 and 203 cm). Widescreen models will become available.

With the OverView M series, Barco answers the market's call for industry-standard video walls with good color reliability, image quality and brightness. This makes this new series the standard video walls for demanding small- to medium-sized control rooms. The series benefits from the many advantages of LED lighting, including long lifetime, low power consumption and great uptime.

Barco's unique liquid cooling system also greatly reduces the temperature of the LEDs, resulting in a significantly longer LED lifetime. Furthermore, the Sense5 automatic white point and full-color calibration system ensures uniformity of color and brightness levels. This system works with an advanced color sensor that continuously measures the primary color levels of the entire wall and adjusts as necessary.

The OverView O series, available in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, are the video walls of choice for applications that need full redundancy of both the LEDs and the drivers. This means that there is no single point of failure for critical components, guaranteeing 24/7 operation without a minute of interruption. Barco's top segment also features all rear-projection innovations to ensure premium image quality, including full-spectrum calibration, ultra brightness, seamless canvas and 3D readiness. The OverView O series can be delivered with a front access option in the 16:9 versions, eliminating the need for a rear maintenance area.

Barco | www.barco.com © 2012 Penton Media

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