Advantages of the M-2501 and the M-2667/M-2600
by Bob Beckwith, CEO
Originally printed in December 1999.
Last issue (M-2501 Reliability) I described
the outstanding reliability of the M-2501 Autodaptive®
Capacitor Switch Control; even withstanding direct lightning hits to a
distribution pole capacitor bank. Now let me tell you about additional
advantages obtained when including the M-2501 with the new M-2667 universal
Autodaptive® Tapchanger Control and M-2600 line of Autodaptive®
Regulator Controls. The M-2600 line includes a universal printed circuit
board that is combined with three choices of hardware to fit the three
manufacturers of regulators control enclosures.
The Autodaptive® system controls the watts and VArs supplied
to users along distribution lines, optimizing power losses, safely fully
loading substation transformers using automatic voltage reduction and
requires no human supervision of true substation automation.
By controlling the VAr flow along distribution lines and through distribution
transformers supplying the lines, savings in power losses result. Calculated
savings for one utility, already using conventional controls, indicated
a pay back time of six months for the cost of a complete change to our
Autodaptive®system. Utilities not using switched capacitors
along distribution lines can expect an even faster pay back time.
Measured results at a beta site installation show maintenance of VAr
flow through station transformers at ± the size of one switched capacitor
with power factor maintained at ± 2% of unity.
The VRQF is maintained, for the voltage out of the substation, at 0.5
to 1.0% VRQF is the RMS error in regulation of the voltage averaged over
a recursive 4 hour time.
The voltage drop to the furthest switched capacitor over distances up
to three miles is 1.5 volts. We have also found the voltage unbalance
at any three phase load to be one volt or less.
No communications are required to the controls or between controls. In
fact, human intervention will interfere with the controls.
Reductions in the number of tapchanges required per week range from 40%
to ten to one depending on loading conditions, utility imposed voltage
reduction and transformer supply voltage swings.
Examination of extensive tapchanger and regulator control data is useable
in predicting and pinpointing maintenance requirements. The data can be
communicated by cell phone to utility maintenance personnel and/or to
Beckwith Electric Co. We offer contract service of data analyses and reporting.
All of the controls measure the fundamental component of voltage thus
eliminating effects of harmonics on the measurements.
Controls are "plug and play". Desired voltage settings may
be entered in the shop or at time of installation and require no further
changes for seasonal conditions.
Keeping Current is an editorial column by Bob Beckwith,
CEO of Beckwith Electric Co, Inc. Reproduction of the whole or any part
of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
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