Power—monitor, alliance, filter

Power monitoring, alliance, and filtering are among three separate power-related developments. Allen-Bradley MiniPowermonitor from Rockwell Automation is said to be an ideally suited low-cost option for OEM power and energy panel metering, energy sub-metering, cost allocation or load profiling. Keithley Instruments Inc . recently signed an agreement with Elgar Electronics Corp. of San Diego, CA, to sell, service, and support the full line of Elgar programmable power supplies through Keithley’s sales and support offices in China, Taiwan, and Japan. And Schurter recently added a snap-in version of its filtered ac connector designed for use in power supplies rated up to 20 Amps at 125 Volts. Read more about these developments.

Allen-Bradley MiniPowermonitor from Rockwell Automation is said to be ideally suited low-cost option for OEM power and energy panel metering, energy sub-metering, cost allocation or load profiling. It allows manufacturers to cost-effectively gather power and energy information and communicate the data to a central control system or programmable controller for analysis and energy optimization. MiniPowermonitor has two product offerings: MiniP M610 and MiniP M620.

MiniP M610 is a three-phase ac monitor. It helps reduce installation costs by providing a digital three-phase replacement to traditional analog panel meters. In the past, three-phase ac power systems required four analog measuring instruments: three for phase currents and one for voltage through a phase selector switch. MiniP M610 now combines these measurement functions into one compact instrument, which cyclically displays line-neutral and line-line voltages of all three phases. This allows manufacturers to rapidly view critical information, versus scrolling through a screen to read the data.

MiniP M620 continuously measures power and energy parameters of three-phase power lines. It provides basic power and energy data at a low cost-per-metering point by collecting usage information directly from individual pumps, chillers, heaters, and motor loads. In addition, when over- and under-voltage conditions occur, MiniP M620 trips an alarm relay and simultaneously displays a code character to identify the cause of the alarm. When used with Rockwell Software RSEnergyMetrix energy management software suite, MiniPowermonitor devices allow manufacturers to proactively manage a facility’s power consumption patterns and analyze power quality issues to help reduce electrical expenses.

Keithley Instruments Inc. signed an agreement in April with Elgar Electronics Corp. of San Diego, CA, to sell, service, and support the full line of Elgar programmable power supplies through Keithley’s sales and support offices in China, Taiwan, and Japan. This alliance enables Keithley to offer a more complete range of quality test and measurement products and services. Products will continue to be sold under the Elgar and Sorensen brand names. Elgar will continue to sell and support its products through its own sales channels in North America, Europe, and the rest of Asia/Pacific. Elgar’s product line includes ac power sources, programmable dc power systems and loads, solar-array simulators, and integrated rack power subsystem services. Keithley products include highly accurate instruments and data acquisition products that measure low levels of voltage, resistance, current, capacitance, and charge, along with system solutions for high-volume production and assembly testing.

Schurter recently added a snap-in version of its filtered ac connector designed for use in power supplies rated up to 20 Amps at 125 Volts. The compact, integrated unit is designed to improve filter performance in applications with higher power demands. The ac inlet is designed according to IEC 320-1, type C20, and is combined with a standard or medical grade filter. The combination supplants discrete block filters rated between 15-20 A. Attenuation is improved by eliminating the bulky wires between the connector and the filter. A more direct path to ground is also achieved. The filter is available with a typical surge withstand (>2.5 kV, line-neutral [L-N]), or with added surge capability (>4 kV, L-N). The C20F is ideally suited for power supplies and distribution units with power ratings up to 3,500 Watts. Applications include information technology according to IEC/EN 60950 and medical equipment according to IEC/EN 60601 standards. C20F is also suited for general industrial applications that would benefit from the convenience of a removable cord. Pricing for C20F at 100 piece quantities is $13.89. Delivery is stock to six weeks.

—Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, MHoske@cfemedia.com MHoske@cfemedia.com

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