Sustainable Solutions from AMETEK Power Instruments

At AMETEK Power Instruments, it’s important to reflect on how we can strive to be as sustainable as possible. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our products, which are not only cost-effective but also long-lasting, efficient and designed to minimize carbon emissions.

One of our white papers perfectly illustrates this commitment. Industrial tech parks rely on an uninterrupted supply of high-quality power to drive a variety of loads, such as computers, servers, lighting, lab instruments, air conditioning and more. These loads can introduce several power quality problems into the network, leading to failures, low efficiency, high operational costs, overheating and reduced equipment lifespan. The use of UPS systems in such facilities is common to ensure uninterrupted operation.

White Paper: Enhancing Power Quality in Industrial Tech Parks

This white paper shows a variety of issues observed in an industrial facility, covering a broad range from load pattern inefficiencies to power quality issues. The use of a meter like the JEMStar II that combines both revenue metering and power quality monitoring makes it possible to analyze such issues simultaneously, with correlation among both types of problems. Here are some key takeaways:

• Varied Load Patterns: The load pattern at industrial facilities can vary significantly based on the nature of the facility. Electronics loads, electromechanical loads etc., can induce different types of power quality issues
• High Levels of THD: With electronic loads such as IT servers and computer/networking equipment, there may be high levels of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), resulting in lower overall efficiency, equipment damage, heating issues, increased cooling requirements and upstream propagation of harmonic content. Active power quality monitoring is essential to capture such problems
• 24x7 Load Curve Analysis: It’s useful to perform load curve analysis on a 24/7 basis, not just during peak operational hours. Issues pertaining to power factor, efficiency, load distribution etc., can be analyzed comprehensively to determine the best operating conditions
• Capturing Short-Term Anomalies: The ability to capture short-term anomalies such as dips and swells can help identify latent issues and aid in root cause analysis. A large set of configurable trigger conditions aids in this process and recording capabilities should both waveform capture and high-speed RMS. Capturing unpredictable issues is just as important as continuous monitoring. While the latter focuses on efficiency, the former ensures uninterrupted operation during contingencies

  Our Solutions

  To address these power quality issues, we implemented the following solutions:

• Installation of Power Quality Meters: An IEC 61000-4-30 class A power quality meter was installed at the facility to assess potential power quality issues. This meter captured both energy usage patterns and power quality information simultaneously, allowing for a comprehensive analysis
• Continuous Monitoring: The power quality meter provided continuous monitoring of power quality parameters such as harmonics, flicker, power factor and load patterns. This helped identify inefficiencies and potential issues without the need for a trigger
• Event-Based Monitoring: The meter also captured event-based anomalies such as outages, sags, swells and rapid voltage changes. This enabled the identification of short-term issues that could have catastrophic effects on the facility's operations
• Load Curve Analysis: By performing load curve analysis on a 24/7 basis, the facility was able to analyze power factor, efficiency and load distribution thoroughly. This helped determine the best operating conditions and optimize energy usage
• Correlation of Data: The ability to capture both revenue metering and power quality monitoring data in a single device allowed for the correlation of different types of problems. This facilitated a more holistic understanding of the issues and their root causes

By addressing these power quality issues, we were able to help industrial tech parks operate more efficiently and sustainably, reducing their environmental impact and contributing to a greener future. Contact us today to learn more about how we can find solutions to your problems.