Industrial Factory Automation

Gresham Power Electronics has released the automatic transfer switch (ATS), a power switching and management module. The ATS monitors, selects and transfers up to 600W of AC power between two independent AC power sources in less than 10ms. The device was developed for a broadcast television OEM for an application in which AC power must be quickly transferred between a primary and a back-up source, typically within 7ms, to prevent service downtime and loss of revenue for broadcast TV operators. In addition, the ATS is said to be suitable for other applications in telecommunications, internet infrastructure, security and surveillance, and similar areas that require a fast transfer to a back-up power source. The Gresham Power ATS features a universal AC input range of 85-264VAC at 47-63Hz (with capability up to 440Hz) and fully supports electronic switch mode power supply (SMPS) load types that incorporate active power factor correction. An on-board microcontroller provides real-time DSP...

Six 1250kW ABB industrial drives will be powering the UK's largest pumping station, protecting 700km2 of land in the Cambridgeshire Fens from flooding. The pumping station at Wiggenhall St Germans will protect more than 25,000 properties, businesses, conservation sites and extensive areas of high-grade agricultural land in an area called the Middle Level. Each of the six new pump sets will be able to raise 16.66m3/sec to a static head of 4.25m, giving a total capacity of 100m3/sec. This gives the station the capacity to deal with extreme events, although in a moderate year it is expected to run no more than three pumps at a time under normal conditions. A system of rotation will be introduced to ensure that the pumps get an equal amount of use. The ABB industrial drives will adjust the pumps to suit a wide range of flows. Each pump will operate to match the actual flow demand and can respond immediately whenever circumstances change. The pumps will also provide quicker response at ...

Ixys has added 900V devices to its Polar Hiperfet power Mosfet product portfolio. Available with drain current ratings from 10.5A to 56A, these new 900V additions complement the company's high-voltage Polar Hiperfet Mosfet product line (available from 500V to 1,200V), giving the end customer a broader selection range of energy-efficient high-voltage Mosfet solutions to choose from. The 900V devices combine advantages derived from Ixys's Polar Technology platform and Hiperfet process to provide improved power efficiency and reliability in demanding high-voltage conversion systems that require bus voltage operation of up to 700V. The company's Polar Technology platform has been tailored to minimise on-state resistance while maintaining a low gate charge. This results in a substantial reduction in the conduction and switching losses of the device. Lower thermal impedances are also achieved, increasing the total power density capability of these devices. Power switching capabi...

Products 4 Automation (P4A) has concluded an agreement with Wago. Under the agreement, P4A will use Wago's 750 Series I/O system in conjunction with its Monitouch range of flat-panel, programmable HMIs to provide power-monitoring solutions for building and home-automation applications. Paul Hurst, managing director of P4A, said: 'The I/O system we are using - the 750 Series - is well proven in building-services applications and is recognised as the most compact, modular and fieldbus-independent I/O system for decentralized automation. 'Using the 750 system means that our power-monitoring systems will be easy to expand as user demand grows; they will be able to interface to anything and also be future proof, as the Wago system - with its fieldbus-independent design - has an open protocol. P4A will be interfacing the 750 Series I/O to its Monitouch range of flat panel, programmable HMIs. Said to offer Scada-like performance at HMI prices, the Monitouch range is capable of...

TDK-Lambda has compiled a custom power solutions brochure, profiling the company's custom-power-supply capabilities across the EMEA region. Martin Southam, director of marketing for TDK-Lambda Europe, said: 'TDK-Lambda's custom power solutions range from full bespoke designs, modified standards and brick-on-board products covering 0.6V to 50kV, 1W to 50kW, AC-DC and DC-DC. TDK-Lambda uses a stage-gate design-review process to manage the development of custom power solutions, with full customer involvement throughout.

The Harting Ha-VIS Pcon 2000 range of power-supply modules offers high performance and reliability in industrial-automation applications. The new units, which are mechanically and electrically compatible with Harting's range of Ethernet switches and other active network components, combine ease of installation with the use of redundancy modules to ensure high system availability and hence reliability in areas such as control and switch cabinets. The new modules incorporate pluggable connections to ensure reliable and rapid assembly without the need for special tools. The range includes versions for voltages of 24 and 48V and power outputs of 35, 60 and 120W. Key performance features include high efficiency, extended input ranges, overload capability of up to 150 per cent for up to three seconds and low losses. The range includes the Pcon 2010-DRM redundancy module, which incorporates dual 12-48V supplies to ensure redundancy in the power supply for components in control and switch...

Intersil has introduced a compact, scalable power module, which provides designers with a general-purpose power solution that satisfies a range of point-of-load (POL) power requirements. The ISL8200M is a 10A, integrated POL regulator in a surface-mount QFN package, which includes a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controller, power Mosfets, a power inductor and associated discrete components. It is suitable for a range of applications in the computing, telecommunications and networking infrastructure, as well as in industrial markets. The ISL8200M's highly integrated construction makes it simple to design a high-performance POL regulator, according to the company. Constructing a high-performance POL regulator with the ISL8200M is fast; all the user needs is input and output capacitors, a few support components and a single resistor to program the output voltage. The ISL8200M minimises the risk of product delays; the user just drops it on the board and it works. Its compact 15 x 15mm ...

Linear Technology has introduced the LTC2978 power supply monitor and controller for digital management of up to eight 0-6V power supplies. Configuring multiple DC/DC converters in an already complex system can be a complicated design task when using passive components. Values defined by external trim resistors and capacitors such as start-up time, set point value or switching frequency make a system inflexible. To alleviate these issues, digital control over analogue power suppliers has allowed for quick adjustment of output voltages and precise protection, monitoring and diagnostic mechanisms. The LTC2978's PMBus-compliant interface provides easy access to an on-board EEPROM, giving users supply configuration, fault response and logging capabilities. In addition, an array of supervising, margining and sequencing functions make the LTC2978 an all-in-one digital power management solution, simplifying the design challenges and reducing the component count typical of traditional ana...

Scottish Power has selected PAS 's alarm-management and control performance software and services for 12 sites comprising gas-fired, coal-fired and hydro-electric power-generation stations. Under the contract, PAS engineers will assess the performance of alarm-management systems and control loops and develop improvement plans for each individual plant. PAS will also install its Plantstate Suite software at all sites, which will provide comprehensive alarm-management and control performance functionality to facilitate the assessment and improve the performance of Scottish Power's systems. Upon completion of the project, Scottish Power will continue to utilise Plantstate Suite to monitor and sustain the improvements.

TDK-Lambda UK will showcase a range of new AC/DC power supplies and DC/DC converter products at this year's Southern Manufacturing and Electronics exhibition. At the event, which will take place at the Five venue in Farnborough on 10-11 February, application engineers will be on hand to provide consultations, technical expertise and application know-how for power design needs. On display on Stand C37 will be the new LD Series of light-emitting-diode (LED) power supplies. Developed for both indoor and outdoor LED lighting applications that require a robust design and a long design life, TDK-Lambda's LD Series is IP66 rated and accepts a wide universal AC input. The first products in the range are rated at 12W; the LDV12 Series provides a constant voltage of 12V, 15V and 24V and the LDC12 Series offers constant currents of 350mA and 700mA. The company's IPS Series of IP67-rated single-output power supplies is available in 50W, 75W and 100W nominal ratings. These units are de...

Diodes Incorporated has introduced 0.5A single-channel power switches optimised for USB-port protection and other 3-5V hot-swap interconnects. The AP2145 (active low enable) and AP2155 (active high enable) provide complete protection solutions for consumer, computing and communication applications subject to the possibility of heavy capacitive loads and short circuits. The power switches are fully compliant with USB standards and are available in industry-standard SOP-8L and exposed-pad MSOP-8L-EP packages. Their 10us transient response time prevents unnecessary system shutdown or restart, while their accurate 1A current limiting capability helps reduce system rail current requirements and related component costs. Offering reverse current blocking, over-current, over-temperature and short-circuit protection, as well as controlled rise time and under-voltage lockout, the AP21X5 parts are said to significantly improve the robustness of USB ports. In addition, an inbuilt 7ms deglitch ...

Maxon Motor has unveiled a compact DC motor with a 200W power output. The RE 50 delivers high levels of nominal torque - up to 0.38Nm - from a drive measuring 50 x 108mm. This is achieved using a two-pole neodymium permanent magnet, combined with four different versions of the company's patented winding technology. The heart of the RE 50, as with all mechanically communicated Maxon drives, is the ironless rotor, which is claimed to provide smooth running thanks to its minimal inertia. Low nominal voltage (24-70VDC), an operating efficiency of more than 90 per cent and good power density make the RE 50 suitable for advanced battery-powered applications such as electric tools, transport and logistics equipment, mobile systems and robotics. Thanks to the Maxon modular system, the versatile new drive is compatible with the company's gearhead, encoder and control systems, creating compact, high-performance drives suitable for applications in automation, mechanical engineering or me...

Krayden has announced that it will supply Engineered Conductive Materials' (ECM) solar-cell conductive adhesives and inks to the solar industry. ECM SolAg series silver inks and adhesives are said to have been proven in damp heat and thermal cycle ageing. Failure modes that limit a PV module's operating life include electrochemical corrosion due to moisture and reduced contact integrity due to cyclic thermal stress. SolAg conductive inks and adhesives deliver a low and stable electrical contact resistance for silver grid buss lines, ribbon attachment and metal wrap-through in CIGS, amorphous silicon and similar thin-film platforms.

Globtek has introduced its GT-91114 series of PCB-mount power supplies with double-enforced insulation mechanical configurations. Regulated outputs voltage range from 5V to 48V DC in 0.1V increments, up to 6W of continuous output power. The enclosed power supplies are potted in a 55.4mm x 52mm x 23.5mm impact resistant polycarbonate case with thermal conduction cooling. The range features: regulated output with very low ripple; built-in protection features; universal input from 90-264V AC; safety agency requirements such as UL/cUL 1950/60601.1, TUV EN60950/60601.1; and EMI/RFI regulations compliance. It also complies with EMC Directives/CE and FCC Class B for ITE/medical applications. The power supplies are available with I/P and O/P lead wire options and Globtek said it can provide modified and custom designs. The GT-91114 series is offered with a five-year warranty.

Steel-component manufacturer Astrum will slash electricity use at its foundry by more than half and save more than GBP80,000 a year thanks to a GBP400,000 interest-free loan from the Carbon Trust. The loan is the largest sum awarded so far from the Carbon Trust's GBP100m Big Business Refit - a drive to provide small and medium businesses with zero-cost capital to invest in new high-performance energy-efficient equipment. Astrum, which makes steel components for tanks and heavy-duty earth-moving vehicles, will use the money to replace its ageing air compressors. The new equipment will halve the company's energy use, increase productivity and will reduce its carbon emissions by more than 600 tonnes a year. Since the Big Business Refit launched in September 2009, more than 800 UK businesses have received GBP30m in total to scrap their old energy-guzzling equipment. The Carbon Trust has now announced it will increase the maximum level for its zero-interest unsecured loans to GBP50...

Emerson Process Management has been awarded a contract to update the instrumentation and controls on units 5 and 6 of the lignite-fired Belchatow Power Plant in Poland. The project will see Emerson serving as the main automation contractor, responsible for modernising the instrumentation, control and electrical subsystems. Emerson will perform engineering and management services that include the installation of its Plantweb digital plant architecture with the Ovation expert control system. Using open Wirelesshart products, Emerson's Smart Wireless network will connect over 110 Rosemount wireless temperature transmitters that will monitor boiler temperatures on each unit. The complete retrofit project will enable the units to reach 320,000 hours of operation. The project will contribute to emissions reductions from the two units, with CO2 and NOx both falling below 200mg/m3. Emerson will design, install and commission the digital automation system and perform various services on t...

Mean Well has introduced the HRP-75 series, a 75W miniature high-reliability AC/DC enclosed power supply that is now available from Ecopac Power. The HRP-75 series, along with the existing range of products HRPG-150, HRPG-300 and HRPG-600, allows Mean Well to offer various wattage options from 75W to 600W all with PFC function and energy-saving functions. Featuring low no-load power consumption and an operating efficiency of 89 per cent, the Mean Well HRP-75 series reduces the size and increases the working efficiency in comparison to the existing range of 75W power supplies.  With a five-year warranty, the HRP-75 series complies with Energy Star and operates at -30C to +70C. In addition, as the units comply with the 'no load power consumption of less than 0.5W', it allows designers to conform with the requirements of Energy Star and EuP for end-user systems and applications. The HRP-75 series has a profile of less than 1U (41mm) with overall dimensions of 129mm x 98mm x 38mm...

Lios has supplied its DTS system to a renewable energy company for monitoring the temperature of two medium-voltage power cables coming from a wind turbine towards the substation. All asset condition-monitoring data from the controller is linked in real time by means of the Modbus communication protocol to the operator's Scada system. The company said that by using DTS it has a better control over the thermal cable conditions, thus over the load of the power cables, meaning it can utilise its assets more economically.

Rittal has extended its Power System Module (PSM) range to allow the power consumption of individual servers and peripheral hardware to be measured per socket. New plug-in modules for PSM rails record the individual currents for each socket and show the power consumption of the devices connected, via three coloured LEDs on the right-hand side.  A second LED on the left-hand side of the outgoing slots provides an overview of the overall power of the module. The presentation logic is automatically adjusted to the mounting position to rule out any misinterpretation. Colour coding follows the traffic-light principle: green LEDs indicate that other equipment may now be connected safely; amber indicates increased current on the module and that before any other equipment is connected its installed load needs to be examined; red indicates that another consuming device would trigger the overloading of the power supply.  Values can also be viewed on a digital display, enabling administ...

Wago Corporation has added a UPS controller (and batteries), as well as buffer and redundancy modules to the 787 Series advanced power supply line. The 787 Series modules are designed to minimise downtime by shielding complex automation systems and components from common disturbances (for example, voltage fluctuations, harmonic distortion and outages). Encapsulated in a robust, DIN rail mount metal housing, every module includes three LEDs and at least one signal output status LED (varies per model). To ensure reliability, the modules utilise Cage Clamp spring pressure connection technology for fast, easy and maintenance-free terminations. Wago provides free configuration and monitoring software with the 787 Series UPS controller for custom configuration, diagnostics and monitoring. The 787 Series UPS also has an LCD/keypad and an RS-232 interface. Under normal operation, the UPS controller charges the 787 Series battery. During an outage, the UPS controller engages the battery, ...