Electricity is a force. The human eye cannot capture it in its entirety. In everyday life, we often take this force for granted. We expect the lights around a switch to come on when we walk into a room and flip a switch. Whenever we plug something in, we expect the receptacle to supply power to that device. Switches and receptacles are a part of the electrical system that most people interact with daily.
So, what is an electrical system?
Electrical systems are much more than just switches and receptacles. An electrical system includes the utility grid, the main service connection point, distribution gear, electrical panels, heating and cooling equipment, water pumps, computer equipment, etc. In modern facilities, electrical systems are vital since they provide electricity for most of the essential systems. An electrical system controls the energy within a building and distributes it to the locations that require it.
But, how do you see the status or quality of electricity?
Installation of electrical power quality metering devices throughout the system helps verify that the system falls within the parameters of the expected voltage system. It seems like a simple choice, right? But, sadly, when electric services meet expectations, people tend to take them for granted. As a result, power quality meters aren’t always installed in electrical systems.
How do we know if electrical systems are performing reliably?
When the performance of an electrical system’s equipment reliability is in question, we need the ability to measure it. But, how? In short, power monitoring meters. By monitoring power consumption, we can assess the reliability and effectiveness of electrical equipment. However, power monitoring equipment is often very costly.
Rental Power Monitoring Equipment
Renting power monitoring equipment is a cost-effective, short-term solution to capture power quality issues caused by the utility or facility equipment. Furthermore, rental devices can be installed at many locations to measure and determine where permanent metering is required. Following the correct procedures will ensure that the electrical system does not experience any load loss when installing monitoring equipment.
Rental power monitoring equipment can help define a load study before adding additional loads. Additionally, the equipment can measure power quality events and issues with electrical service and equipment. We recommend that qualified personnel install this rental power monitoring equipment. If your facility does not have qualified personnel on hand, don’t worry. You aren’t in this alone. APT will work with you to meet your facility’s goals and provide a solution tailored to meet your needs.
APT | Power Monitoring Solutions
Upon installing power monitoring equipment and collecting data (over a period of time), the results can be easily presented to your facility team in an easily readable report. APT offers this service with all rented power monitoring equipment. We provide solutions that prevent or reduce the impact of failures like these by identifying them as they happen. We inform the people who need to know about failures as soon as they happen, with better and faster information. Power Quality Events (PQ Events) can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Are you able to detect when such events have occurred in your facility? With an Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS) and Power Quality Meters, your facility can see the unseen. Seeing the effects and reactions your facility has to PQ events gives your team control over the unseen. Don’t be left blinded by the darkness. Make electricity visible.
Brian Curnutt, APT Field Service Manager