Days are longer, and that’s when the cold really kicks in. Regular calls to button up and stay warm are here, together with the reminder to minimise our electricity usage. As avid consumers of Sparks Electrical News, we know the ‘family hold back’ in our energy consumption is to minimise the likelihood of brownouts/blackouts and load shedding, but also an attempt to contain our utility bills!
During times of frequent or prolonged voltage fluctuation and periods of over or under (low) voltage, one should consider a more long-term solution other than simply disconnecting the load to protect it from damage. The immediate consideration is given to emergency back-up power in the form of generators or UPS systems. Although viable, and indispensable for essential services, these solutions do have their associated running and maintenance costs.
The power coming through such back-up systems can be stabilised by installing an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR), consequently cutting energy costs and increasing operational efficiency. Sollatek’s AVR solution reduces the running cost on the diesel generators on which many essential service sites depend. It also enhances the working conditions for the generators and, as a result, reduces their maintenance requirements. Similar benefits can be accrued with battery back-up systems where batteries are charged quicker but can also be reduced in size.
A major telecommunication firm has found that its diesel generator’s runtime could be reduced from 24-hour operation to only 10-12 hours per day. This has saved the company at least $18 000 a year on fuel costs, thus the AVR has paid for itself in a very short time. Additional advantages of the Sollatek AVR for the site include silent, fume-free running for much of the day in contrast to the constant high noise levels experienced previously. Furthermore, the generator monitoring, maintenance, servicing and spare part costs have all been reduced.
Sollatek’s Automatic Voltage Regulator has an extremely wide input voltage range, which means diesel generators need only operate in cases of total power-cuts or severely inefficient voltage supply by the local grid. Ideal for use with sensitive electronic equipment in harsh working environments, the AVR’s solid state design (no moving parts) requires very little or no maintenance. With a rapid response time (within 15 milliseconds) the AVR delivers ‘over’ and ‘under’ voltage protection, with class 1 lightning protection as an option. Therefore, using Sollatek’s AVR, essential services sites enjoy significantly lower fuel and energy costs, reduced time and inconvenience in running diesel generators, as well as unbeatable protection from surges and spikes.
Enquires: nick.allen@sollatek.co.za
