Electricity + Control June 2017

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ROUND UP
AbilityTM Smart Sensor now available for the European market
The ABBAbility Smart Sensor is a remote conditionmonitoring solu-
tion that enables users to check the status of their LV motors from a
smartphone or dedicated web portal.The compact sensor of the size
of a smartphone can be attached to motors of many manufacturers
to pick up operating and performance data.The data are transmitted
to the cloud and processed to produce useful information on motor
health and performance. This information is supplied to the user
in an easy-to-understand format. The solution enables predictive
analytics that can boost uptime while reducing energy consumption.
“We are extremely proud to announce that the ABB Ability Smart
Sensor is now entering the European market, and will soon be avail-
able in the US. It has been successfully trialled with many of our
customers around the world.This solution is truly a quantum leap for
millions of LV motors”, said Otto Preiss, Managing Director of ABB's
Motors and Generators business unit. “It enables plant operators
to do effective maintenance planning for their motors, assess the
efficiency of their operation and prevent costly downtime. We are
confident that this solution will not only transformmaintenance ap-
proaches but also create added operational value for our customers.”
“Our pilot testers reported very positive results with the smart
sensors”, said Jonas Spoorendonk, Global Product Manager of ABB
Ability Smart Sensor. “In a typical example, a sensor at a chemical
plant in Germany indicated that a pump motor was running in over-
load every time it started.The problem turned out to be the incorrect
operation of a valve.This was causing high pressure in the system
and a great deal of stress on the pump and seals – a situation that
the plant’s regular maintenance had no way to detect. In many other
cases sensors have provided early warnings of bearing problems,
enabling motors to be replaced well before they failed.”
It is estimated that predictive maintenance based on data from
the solution can help to reduce downtime by up to 70%, extend
motor lifetime by as much as 30% and cut energy consumption by
up to 10%.The sensor units can be factory fitted on new motors or
retrofitted on installed motors within minutes.They are available for
both ABB and non-ABB motors.
Enquiries: Shivani Chetram. Email
Containerised substations – thinking inside the box
More than ever before, businesses are under pressure to reduce their
operational costs and maximise their profits. One key area where
big industries can make significant cost savings is by using purpose-
made, containerised substations.These repurposedmarine shipping
containers arrive on-site pre-installed with fully tested switchgear,
ready for immediate cable connection.
Containerised substations are incredibly useful in remote areas.
Civil construction costs are high, and converting a standard marine
specification container into a substation is significantly less expen-
sive than arranging for on-site construction of switchgear housing.
Another huge benefit of containerised substations is that they
are fully equipped and assembled at the manufacturer’s premises,
and can comprise bespoke combinations of distribution equipment,
control gear and PLC equipment.
All this equipment undergoes full function testing before being
dispatched, which translates to huge time savings on site.They can
even be pre-commissioned.
Once on site, the containers are easily mounted on plinths,
columns or skids. If mounted on columns, cable entry is possible
through openings in the floor at the base of the container. If this is
no possible, then exterior cable entry boxes, mounted to the exterior
of the container, provide cable entry through the side.These boxes
are removed during transport of the container.
Some switchgear (such as ring main units) also need arcing ducts
out of the sides or bottom of the container. In this instance, special
modification to the container is needed to prevent an arc from af-
fecting the interior environment.
Containerised substations are most commonly used in more
extreme environments, such as mines and open-air construction
sites, among others.
Containers are, by nature, well-sealed, meaning they offer an
effective way of keeping dirt, dust and other pollutants out. Ventila-
tion systems with filters can be fitted to maintain positive pressure
within the container.
Each system can be customdesigned to suit individual site require-
ments, including high pollution environments.
Marine containers vary in size, with the average size being about
10 metres long, five metres wide and four metres high.This means
they can easily be transported on a standard low-loader and lowered
into position using a crane.
Enquiries: Johan Basson.Tel. +27 (0) 11 027 5804
or email
PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT
Electricity+Control June ‘17 44