Industrial Surge Suppression

[Beggar]

Are industrial plants typically equipped with surge suppression technology in order to protect sensitive control components of automated equipment?

Is there a 1-2 sentence phrase that I could pass along to somebody to define the need for surge suppression?

The reason for the question is that we have automated equipment (PLC, HMI, motor starters, regen VFD, etc) being installed in an industrial plant in China and I'm concerned about power quality. I'm having trouble communicating the need for power quality because I don't really understand it.

It's ultimately up to the customer but I'd like to share some guidance if possible.

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[Skogsgurra]

I think that a good starting point is to refer to the standards that the manuals for your VFDs, computers, PLCs etc refers to. Just tell the plant officers that they need to verify that the power quality meets the standards - or there will be obscure operating problems.

On the other hand, most modern equipment can use quite bad mains voltages. Including HF pollution and harmonics.

Depending on where your factory is situated, there might be a problem with outages - and that is a real problem. You will either have to improve that or install UPS'es for the important and sensitive loads.

The problem is more that the equipment installed will disturb the grid. VFDs are especially troublesome. They need line reactors to reduce harmonics and filters to reduce HF pollution to acceptable levels.

There can also be a problem starting heavy loads. Correct electric engineering takes care of that problem. Either by increasing the SC capacity or installing soft starters etc.

 

[cuky2000]

Probably the enclose document may help.

http://www.sdge.com/business/docs/summarychart.pdf