2011 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,000 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.
Does an AVR or surge (spike) suppressor really protect from voltage fluctuations???
AVR means Automatic Voltage Regulation.
What it does is to regulate the mains voltage within a limited range. In the case of your UPS, it boost +12% when the incoming voltage is too low. Let’s say the incoming voltage is at 200 volts, the output then goes to 224Volts, +12% of 200 volts, which is still acceptable for most UPSs. When the UPS output reaches let’s say, 230V with the boost mode on, then the UPS sends a command to a component called relay so that the +12% compensation is turned off.
Basically the voltage regulation is a series of power transformers, it can either be step-up transformers or a step-down transformers They basically do the same thing a 220V to 110V step-down transformer does, or a step-up transformer does, when it gets 110V and transforms to 220V. The UPS senses the incoming voltage and commands a series of relays to select a different transformer output or “tap”, as they call it.
An automatic voltage regulator can only work within a limited range. Their “taps” are at a fixed rate lets say, +10volts. If the UPS have a 12% voltage trimming option and the incoming voltage reaches 270 Volts, it can only trim 12% of that, which will result in 237 Volts.
Voltage regulator transformer can have as many “taps” as its developer wants, but it makes the unit much heavier, it wastes more energy and generates more heat. It doesn’t matter if the AVR has four “taps” or sixteen taps, it is still slow for suppressing voltage surges
Surge suppression is basically made to protect against high energy and fast rising surges or spikes that can be caused by lightning, electric motors being turned on or turned off, etc. Surges are essentially fast rising spikes and voltage swells are slow rising and low energy in nature. Surge suppression can in some cases reduce voltage swells, but this is not its main purpose.
Surge protection is basically comprised of a component called MOV – Metal Oxide Varistor.
An MOV works at diverting surges to ground. When operating at its nominal voltage, or the mains voltage, the varistor acts like a resistor with its resistance tending to the infinite, so it does not conduct electricity to ground at this state. When there is a fast surge, it instantaneously reacts (in nanoseconds) by decreasing its internal resistance, allowing the excess energy to flow to ground.
The voltage regulator cannot act as fast as an MOV for suppressing high power and fast rising surges and would not be capable of that because of the nature of a power transformer. High energy surges must be diverted to ground and power transformers do not do that. Compared to the speed of an MOV, the voltage regulator is like a turtle.
There are some disadvantages regarding the use of MOVs for suppressing voltage swell. MOVs degrade very fast if frequent voltage swell are imposed to it, it gets too hot and it’s internal chemistry degrades. MOVs are made to react fast and come back to it’s initial state very quickly as well, which happens when a power surge occurs. That’s why manufactures of surge protective devices use an MOV that only triggers itself when the voltage is much higher than the mains voltage. If the MOV starts to conduct too early, it will degrade itself very quickly and on all power grids a relatively high number of fast duration swells, do happen
What an MOV doesn’t do…
An MOV does not provide equipment with complete power protection. In particular, a MOV device provides no protection for the connected equipment from sustained over-voltages that may result in damage to that equipment as well as to the protector device.
An MOV provides no equipment protection from inrush current surges (during equipment start-up), from over current (created by a short circuit), or from voltage sags (also known as a brownout); it neither senses nor affects such events.
Susceptibility of electronic equipment to these other power disturbances is defined by other aspects of the system design, either inside the equipment itself or externally by means of a circuit which typically consists of a voltage-sensing circuit and a relay for disconnecting the AC input when the voltage reaches a danger threshold. See OVCD).
In nut shell…
The AVR and the surge suppression solve two different problems. They’re complimentary technologies but do not ensure total power protection.
The AVR can adjust the voltage of the line within a limited range to compensate for the voltage being too high or too low. However, the AVR does not respond quickly enough or have wide enough compensation to handle surges.
Surge protection is capable of putting huge surge voltages into ground very quickly, but won’t adjust the long-term voltage of the line as the AVR does.
Both however are ineffective against sustained high voltages. in neutral open condition , they themselves will need protection.
Please do give us your feedback
For more queries write to us on queries@microsystemservices.com
Also see:
How to protect your equipments from extreme power fluctuations
Loss to appliance manufacturers due to voltage fluctuation problems.
How often has this happen to you… You buy a brand new Plasma TV , Refrigerator, washing machine etc. just to find that it stops working with in the warranty period.
You call up the vendor and ask for replacement / repair of that equipment. Have you considered that the quality of power at you house may be bad? Even if you knew, would you acknowledge to the vendor?
Probably not!!! because you want a free service. Thats precisely what happens when any equipment fails. Equipment vendor is in a soup!!!
Power conditions are not good at all places. Voltage fluctuations are not something you can observe, not with out a voltage recorder definitely. But that wont be feasible at all times.
Effects of voltage fluctuations are not understood until a very large catastrophe occurs and appliances are damaged.
Such a case has happen even in Metropolitan cities like Mumbai. There was a electrical fault at main distribution board of the house of very distinguished business person, wherein the neutral wire was burnt. This cause the voltage to shoot up to 440V ( this is called the neutral open condition). At this voltage all the equipment in his house got damaged. MCB/Fuse didnt react at all, and it will not. because MCB reacts to over current and not over voltage
He promptly called the appliance vendors and got the repairs done all free of cost as they were under warranty.
But here the manufacturer/ vendor had to bear the service cost. This includes salary for the day of the service technicians, changing of damaged components replacement of complete unit in some cases.
This cost is huge when you consider country-wide service.
We at MSS have developed , perfected and implemented device called OVCD for protection of equipments from power fluctuations.
We can help them reduce the events of such failures by more than 75%. This can improve the bottom line of the company.
Let us know in case of such problems at response@microsystemservices.com. We will be glad to be of any assistance.
Visit our Website for more details: www.microsystemservices.com
Linkedin Page: http://www.linkedin.com/company/304973
Blogsite: http://microsystemservices.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Micro-System-Services/130592683653306
Some Facts about overvoltage
Over voltage problems are the most frequent the most overlooked and neglected. Many times equipment failure, downtime, software and data corruption, are the result of a problematic supply of power. There is also a common problem with describing power problems in a standard way. We have tried to list out some of the common facts about over voltage issues
- Overvoltage, and its destructive effects, are well known but are often not recognized or understood.
- Little is documented in terms of its magnitude and frequency.
- It is difficult to identify, due to its sporadic nature, and often comes and goes undetected.
- Because of all the above, its existence is sometimes denied.
- Equipment failures due to overvoltage are often misperceived as defective equipment.
- Power companies do not deny its existence; but they do not publish or otherwise inform the users that it exists, or warn users of potential periods in which it may occur.
- Power fluctuations are also caused due to in–line equipment. Viz. Motor during its starting period draws heavy current due to which voltage drops causing imbalance and over voltage somewhere else.
- With very few exceptions, electrical power distribution systems are inadequate to provide voltage within acceptable limits to all users at all times.
- Power companies cannot prevent overvoltage because they can only react to its existence, usually in response to customer (user) complaints about failing appliances, etc.
- The time of response can vary widely (anywhere between one minute and weeks) depending on many variables in the distribution system.
- Overvoltage can occur at any time, due to many factors, but is most likely to occur during certain periods such as fast changing high load demands, as seen during severe cold weather periods.
- Power companies are mandated by law to provide service without overvoltage.
- Power companies are not held accountable by any regulation authority for overvoltage.
- Power companies will sometimes reimburse damage costs due to overvoltage if proof is provided by the complainant.
- Overvoltage can only be proved by the use of a voltage recorder.
- Some power companies offer overvoltage insurance to users.
- Over voltage events are misperceived to be equipment failures leading to their replacement with other brands that do not have overvoltage protection and essentially mask the effects of overvoltage which can lead to inevitable catastrophic failures.
Also see:
- OVCD- Over Voltage Cut-off Device
- How does a Servo Controlled Voltage Stabilizer work?
- Product breakdown management
- Protect your Equipment from harmful power fluctuations..
- Give reliability to your UPS systems in high fluctuation areas. OVCD solves your servicing woes!!!
- Protect your electronics
Visit our website: www.microsystemservices.com
Our email us for more info at micross@microsystemservices.com
References:
OVCD- Over Voltage Cut-off Device
Over Voltage Cut off device (OVCD)
- Cut section view of OVCD
Micro Systems Services has successfully developed one of the most powerful and unique protection devices – simply called the OVCD–Over Voltage Cut-off Device. The OVCD is a marvel of ingenuity and engineering and has a specially designed chip at the heart of the product.
This rugged, compact and low cost device is absolutely dependable to perform the task it has been designed for, that is, protect all equipment and instruments connected to it. It effortlessly withstands voltage fluctuations up to 440 Volts and spikes up to 6000 Volts. It is programmed with a power-on delay of 3 seconds (configurable) for initial surges which are harmful to any other device.
Why should you consider using OVCD before your equipment?
1.No problems due to voltage fluctuation.
2.Zero downtime
3.Your equipment becomes more rugged
4.Less service calls = Increased profitability + Increased credibility.
5.Better perception of quality of your system in the minds of the customers
6.Increases the chances of repeat sales or referral sales.
USP:
Now you can install your equipment in the worst electrical conditions without being bothered about service calls.
Cost to company if your product breaks down.
| Man power cost | Rs 800 | Travelling and per day costof service person |
| Production down time | Rs 1000 | Could cost upward dependingthe type of machine |
| Part replacement | Rs 500 | Could cost upward |
| Equipment decay | Yes | Reduction of life of equipment |
| Goodwill lost | Yes | Incalculable |
| Customer’s loss | Yes | Significant |
| Disturbing to business focus | Yes | Significant( both to customersand vendor) |
| Replacement of product | Product cost | Capital Loss |
All figures in Indian rupees
Costs projected are indicative and may vary for product and services
Features
•Neutral open protection (Protection up to 440 volts)
•Withstands up to 6000V spikes
•Smart start
•Under/over voltage protection
•No wave form distortion
•Lightweight , transformer-less design
•Compact size.
Optional features
•Over load protection
•High performance EMI/RFI filters
•Line monitoring indication
•Single phase preventer (for 3 phase systems)
•Phase Reversal Protection (for 3 phase systems)
How it works.
OVCD is connected at before the equipment in use.
Incoming current will first pass through OVCD then into the equipment. OVCD continuously monitors the line voltage.
Whenever the voltage is above or below the set voltage limits the OVCD simply cuts the voltage to the equipment thereby saving it from the line disturbance. It reacts within fraction of second to the disturbance. OVCD will withstand the voltage even as high as 440 Volts.It however does not stabilize the voltage as in the case of other devices in the same category like Stabilizer, CVTs.
When the voltage returns to normal , the OVCD resumes the supply to the equipment with short power-on delay of 3 seconds(configurable). This feature is called the Smart Start. It prevents the initial harmful transient that may damage the Equipment.
How is OVCD better than other power conditioning / protection products?
1.Superior protection
2.Occupies less space
3.Lightweight
4.Transformer less design
5.Portable.
Feature comparison with other devices in the same category
| FEATURES | OVCD | Servos | Stabilizer | CVT | Spike buster |
| Protection up to 440V |
Yes |
No | No | No | No |
| Under voltage / Over voltage protection | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Protection from spikes | Yes |
No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Protection from over load | Yes |
No | No | Yes | No |
| Line indication | Yes |
No | No | No | Yes |
| EMI /RFI filters | Yes |
No | No | No | No |
| Waveform distortion | No |
No | No | Yes | No |
| IC technology | Yes |
No | No | Yes | No |
Customized to suit your requirements.
We can customize the OVCD in following ways.
1.Voltage Settings( higher cut off, Lower cutoff voltages)
2.Power on delay
3.Input and output terminations
4.Enclosures
5.Configurations
End Use applications
- UPS
- AC Drives
- Deep Freezers
- 3 Phase Motors
- Compressors
- Control Panels
- Medical Equipments
- Electrical Appliances (Heavy Duty)
- Dish Satellite System
- Industrial Power Drives
- And many more
Clientele
We offer our products as OEMs to a significant no. of Clients Like
Emerson Network Power
DB Power
Delta Energies
GE healthcare
Numeric Power systems
Asia Powercom
Godrej Aggrovet
Techser Power solutions
GE Digital
EXFO, Canada.
and many more
Contact Us
36-A, 2nd Floor, Pravasi Industrial Estate,
Vishweshwar nagar Goregaon –mulund link rd, Goregaon East,
Mumbai 400 063 INDIA.
Telefax: +91 22 2875 1805 / 2874 0316
Mail : sales@microsystemservices.com
Web : www.microsystemservices.com
Blog: www. microsystemservices.wordpress.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Micro-System-Services/130592683653306
How does a Servo Controlled Voltage Stabilizer work?
How does a Servo Controlled Voltage Stabilizer work?
Servo voltage stabilizers save the life of costly appliances, CNC machines, electrical equipment, medical equipment, motors lab equipment etc. by correcting the voltage fluctuations in the incoming AC voltage and bringing and keeping in at the desired voltage levels
The principle of operating Servo Stabilizer
It involves comparing the output voltage with built-in stable reference voltage source. The control circuit operates the motor whenever the output voltage falls or rises beyond the preset voltage.
The control circuit controls the servo motor. The motor is mechanically attached to the arm of a continuously variable auto transformer which feeds to the primary of a series control buck boost transformer. The stabilizer output voltage is compared with the reference voltage & resultant error signal controls the Servo Motor which corrects the voltage by bringing it to the preset voltage.
For more queries mail us at: micross@microsystemservices.com.
Or visit us at www.microsystemservices.com
Also see
- What is VA and Watts?
- Give reliability to your UPS systems in high fluctuation areas. OVCD solves your servicing woes!!!
- Some things to think about when buying a UPS system
- Inverter-Battery buying tips and calculations
- Protect your electronics
