Big power in the Big Easy

This year's Power-Gen International takes place Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. More than 17,000 industry professionals are expected to attend to see 1,100 exhibitors displaying the latest in power products and technologies. Field device management and optimization software reduces the complexity of larger control systems into one compact interf...

By Melissa Hillebrand, Associate Editor October 1, 2007

This year’s Power-Gen International takes place Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. More than 17,000 industry professionals are expected to attend to see 1,100 exhibitors displaying the latest in power products and technologies.

Field device management and optimization software reduces the complexity of larger control systems into one compact interface. The system manages as many as 500 devices such as flowmeters, analyzers, actuators, controls valves and positioners. The software’s four primary functions are configuration, commissioning, diagnostics and real-time asset optimization. (Asset Master by ABB) www.abb.com #14

Motor protection system delivers simple setup configuration, an improved front panel, advanced graphical diagnostics, comprehensive communications and complete traceability for medium-voltage motors. The system eliminates programming hundreds of individual protection settings with its six-step auto configurator, which uses motor nameplate data, current and voltage sensing parameters, motor starting and application information. The front panel design includes LED indicators for conditions such as stopped, started, running, overload and trip. The device provides graphs and tables that allow the operator to diagnose motor problems with start/stop history, trip details, learned acceleration time and starting current. (369 Motor Protection System by GE Multilin) www.GEMultilin.com #15

Instrument and control switches configure to meet a variety of needs for utility applications. The switches feature double-wiping, silver-plated contacts for long life and terminal screws for easy installation. Switches are rated for 30 amps at 600 volts, or rated for 15 amps at 600 volts. The models include voltmeter transfer switches, ammeter transfer switches, wattmeter transfer switches, circuit breaker control switches, power factor switches, motor control switches and temperature meter transfer switches. (Series 24 and Series 31 switches by Electroswitch) www.electroswitch.com #16

Automatic battery selectors are designed for mission critical standby power applications. The units automatically deliver power from two sets of batteries to one or two loads, while isolating the battery sets from each other. One model supports a peak current load of 1,300 amps and is used for starting mid-range gensets. The other model supports a peak current load of 3,750 amps and is used for starting gensets 2 mw and larger. (Best Battery Selector by SENS) www.sens-usa.com #17

Rental Power unit maximizes flexibility with an easy-to-operate customer interface. The 1,000-kW unit meets EPA Tier 2 emissions standards and provides temporary power for construction and emergency power for construction buildings, industrial plants and public works facilities. Its features include low emissions, increased running time, selectable voltages and easy operator access for maintainability. Running time at 75% load has been increased to 39 hours with a larger, integrated fuel tank. The unit’s enclosure also features 110% fluid containment to prevent job site contamination from fuel leaks or spills. (Rental Power unit from Cummins Power Generation) www.cumminspower.com #18

Modular AC drives save floor time and minimize downtime through pluggable power modules, which slide into the power frame. The modules weigh less than 50 lbs. and are installed in minutes. The drives include disconnect switches, fuses, harmonic-reducing input line reactors and dynamic braking with resistors, all of which are pre-wired into the power frames. The models extend the power range of the existing family of AC drives and run induction motors, torque motors and permanent magnet servo motors. (AC890PX drive by Parker Hannifin SSD Drives Div.) www.ssddrives.com #19

General purpose power supplies provide maximum power quality and reliability in a compact form. With rugged, zinc-plated steel housing measuring between 32 mm and 115 mm wide, the supplies occupy less space than most DIN rail-mounted power supplies. The units have a mean time between failure rating of less than 500,000 hours and are backed by a 5-year warranty. They feature built-in LED diagnostic indication, adjustable 22.5 to 29.5 volts DC output and three DC grounding terminals. (TRIO Power supplies by Phoenix Contact) www.phoenixcon.com #20

Power distribution unit i s ideal for data centers, providing flexible power distribution for mixed IT environments, including blade servers, network and storage applications. Features include single-phase and three-phase applications up to 17 kW, user-selectable combination of NEMA, IEC and hardwired inputs, separate circuit breakers for groups of receptacles to limit overloads, remote monitoring and management at the outlet, and wall and floor mounting. (Powerware ePDU by Eaton Corp.) www.powerware.com #21

Conduction-cooled ATR enclosures are engineered for flexibility, strength and cooling in a range of harsh-environment applications. The series is configured to custom-form requirements and is available in standard ARINC sizes ranging from 0/5 ATR short to 1.5 ATR long. The series’ flexibility extends to its cooling methods, incorporating configurable conducting walls that allow the ATR to be customized for a wide range of thermal requirements. The series can be configured as an air-over conduction-cooled ATR, which keeps channeled air outside of the ATR. (716 Series of ATR enclosures by Carlo Gavazzi Computing Solutions) www.gavazzi-computing.com #22

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a double-conversion, three-phase line for critical loads. As many as eight modules may be installed in parallel for redundancy or additional capacity. The systems feature a digital control system to eliminate all overloads, frequency variation, transients, flicker and blackouts in real time. The digital control processes signal 10 times faster than previous analog methods. The components include a user-friendly front control panel with an easy-to read LCD panel. An input circuit breaker and internal maintenance bypass also are included. (TreStar P line by Staco Energy Products) www.staco-news.com #23