How Micatu's Utility Partner Gained Substation Monitoring At Less Than 50% The Traditional Cost
Replacing traditional voltage and current measuring apparatus with optical sensing technology
OVERVIEW:
Substation monitoring is vital for the operation of the electrical grid. Traditionally, current transformers (CTs) and potential transformers (PTs) are used to provide measurement data throughout the substation. This technology has not been upgraded for 100+ years. Optical sensing allows for a safer, more accurate and cost-effective alternative to this old way of doing business.
Our utility partner had an immediate need for distribution feeder data to monitor operations in real time:
"Micatu's technology allowed us to gain important distribution feeder data at a pace we've never been able to achieve. This deployment not only improves our visibility of the grid but saved us valuable time and money."
Electric Utility Manager of Projects and Programs
APPROACH:
REDUCE NEEDED MANPOWER: The Micatu RG235 sensor provides highly accurate voltage, current, frequency, and harmonic data of voltages up to 35 kV. The sensor can be installed by a single qualified line worker in a matter of minutes, as opposed to an entire substation electrician crew being needed for a traditional CT/PT installation.
REDUCE CUSTOMER IMPACT: This application of the sensing platform can be installed "hot", meaning no electrical outage was required within the substation. This eliminates the need for customer impact and/or the expensive deployment of a mobile substation.
REDUCE FOOTPRINT: Traditional CT/PT infrastructure requires real estate within the substation to lay engineered foundations and support structures. With land being of the highest value, enabling a deployment of measurement technology on existing infrastructure saves that commodity for future equipment.
RESULTS:
INCREASED DATA FIDELITY: The sensors provide not only higher accuracy of data as compared to the traditional CTs/PTs, but also can withstand catastrophic electrical events as they are not impacted by fault current.
COST SAVINGS: This particular customer saved over 50% in total installation cost.
IMPROVED SAFETY: Because the optical sensors do not pass any electrons, there is no risk of an open circuit.
FASTER DEPLOYMENT: Without the need for electrical reconfiguration within the substation and a smaller crew size, the technology can be deployed more quickly and with less complex planning.
CONCLUSION:
Substation monitoring is of extreme importance on a utility's path towards a modernized grid. Higher fidelity data capture enables advanced data analytics which will revolutionize the operation and efficiency of how the world consumes energy.
Leveraging optical sensing technology through Micatu's measurement platform saves time, money and space while increasing data accuracy and safety. Micatu has fundamentally changed the standard for data expectations and how.
SNC’s Personal Grounds Tester is designed to make your job easier. While it quickly and reliably helps you test the quality of ground wires, the SNC Personal Grounds Tester also comes in a sturdy case and weighs less than 50 pounds. You can also calibrate it yourself, so you never have to send it in and experience downtime.
SNC’s Personal Grounds Tester is easy to set up and use, so you can test different gauges and lengths of cables within minutes. It circulates 450 amps continuously to measure any voltage drops. Simply compare the loss to the easy-to-read chart located in the lid or in the instruction manual.
The Personal Grounds Tester also features:
Sturdy and easy-to-carry case weighing less than 50 pounds
Built-in fans help keep unit cool for continuous usage
Plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet rated at 20 amps or higher
Easy-to-read displays and reference chart
Can be calibrated at any time to avoid shipping costs and downtime
Allows you to test a ground at various points to quickly troubleshoot and locate defects
FAQ- Expanding Foam Duct and Conduit Sealing Applications
The most frequently asked questions about conduit sealants and duct sealing applications.
Are expanding foam duct sealants safe to use?
All chemicals come with some risk. Some individuals may be more sensitive to some compounds than others. When used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, Polywater® FST, Polywater® AFT and Polywater® ZipSeal™ duct sealants are safe to use.
I need a UL or CSA approved duct sealant. Is yours approved?
UL and CSA do not have specific tests for “conduit sealants.” However, Polywater conduit sealants were specifically formulated to seal conduits from water and gas intrusion and be rodent resistant to protect systems from disruption. Electrical codes in North America do call out specifications for conduit sealing and list that they:
shall be compatible with all parts of the wire and jacket materials
must prevent moisture and gas ingress
be installed where temperature change occurs
be installed in underground locations at one or both ends of the conduit.
Electrical codes in other regions of the world often share many of the mandates seen in North American codes. Check your local regulations to verify code language. When applied in accordance with manufacturer instructions, Polywater foam duct sealants generally meet electrical code requirements for conduit sealing, although some AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) may require official recognition of a specific performance characteristic by an outside testing agency or manufacturer documentation to claim compliance.
Are Polywater duct sealants UL listed?
“UL Listed” is the certification for whole products that are meant to be used on their own. The “UL Recognized” certification is for component parts meant to be incorporated into a larger whole. In the Classification service, UL determines that a manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to produce a product complying with UL’s requirements with respect to a specific risk, such as casualty or fire.
Polywater AFT is UL Recognized. Polywater FST is ULC Classified.
Does it cost a lot of money for just one use?
FST, AFT, and ZipSeal 2-part expanding foam sealants typically cost less “per seal” than most other sealant technologies because multiple applications may be made from one reusable cartridge or aerosol can package.
For more information or a quote on any of the products featured in this newsletter, please reach out to Ryan Campbell at rcampbell@powertech-upsc.com or (860) 678-8772.
Powertech Associates and Utility Power Supply offer the latest products and solutions available in the Utility Industry. We are committed to meet the needs of our customers through quality product solutions and proven customer service.
