Launch of Exertherm LoadMap™ Software Enables High Downtime Cost Operators to Identify Problems at Low Operational Power Loads
London (PRWEB UK) 30 November 2013 -- Most organisations which incur high downtime costs (data centres and the oil and gas industries are good examples of this) operate a dual power feed. The purpose of this is to provide operational redundancy in the event of power loss on one feed.
As a result, it is necessary to operate each feed at less than 50% of the total load requirement, so that when it becomes necessary for operational / maintenance reasons to place the entire power load onto a single feed it will not exceed 100% of capacity.
This is a critical problem for such organisations because the load levels at which they operate are so low (circa 30%) that there is insufficient current to generate excess heat on compromised joints. The result is that a "hidden" problem can exist on circuits, which will not manifest itself until additional load is applied to the circuit. These hidden problems cannot be detected by conventional periodic thermal imaging inspections.
The industry "norms" are thus to run each feed at circa 30% of total load requirement, leaving a level of available capacity which does not risk exceeding the 100% threshold.
Previously there was no method to identify these "hidden" problems and thus verify that additional load could be safely applied to a circuit.
In addition, the theoretic available capacity of a circuit could also not be verified. As an example, the NETA standard 40°C delta T alarm threshold at 100% load has an equivalent alarm threshold of just 3.6°C delta T at 30% load.
The introduction of Exertherm Loadmap™ developed by the QHi Group combines continuous thermal monitoring, utilising small non contact IR sensors which are permanently installed within the electrical infrastructure, with circuit load data. This is then fed to the LoadMap™ processor, where patented algorithms calculate and adjust the dynamic thermal alarm threshold applicable to the load being applied to the circuit.
This major breakthrough has already gained significant recognition and adoption by major data centre operators, as well as major oil and gas projects, and major power infrastructure OEMs who are now offering this technology to their clients.
About QHi Group:
Operating globally from offices in the UK, Europe and the USA, the QHi Group provides a new approach to mission critical monitoring, delivering a comprehensive and unrivaled range of solutions from continuous thermal monitoring through to the management of complex energy systems.
• Exertherm™ - the unique non-contact infrared continuous thermal monitoring system is now increasingly being recognised as new ‘best practice’ over thermal imaging for monitoring mission critical applications.
• Exertherm LoadMap™ - a new predictive tool that will dynamically detect and identify compromised joints/terminations on circuits operating at low loads via collation of temperature/metering data.
• Vigilance™ - a new approach, providing a vendor neutral, modular and scalable EPMS solution built on an open protocol platform…
Tony Mackenzie, QHI GROUP LTD, +44 1582461123, [email protected]
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