Smart grid not just a buzz phrase.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt and Fichtner IT Consulting offer a solution.

Two managing directors make a cooperation agreement, Andreas Höfler, CEO of Fichtner IT Consulting GmbH (left) and Sascha Engel, CEO of Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG).

The term “smart grid” has been bandied about for years. Frequently mentioned in connection with smart meters, it has been used so many times as a buzzword without any real content to back it up, that it has become almost worn out before a global and meaningful implementation could be realized.

Today, however, things appear quite different. Talk of a smart grid within the narrow context of actual "digital grid management” has now become far more meaningful. Renewable energy forms (e.g. PV systems, battery storage, wind turbines, etc.), the vast number of other energy consuming technologies (e.g. hydrogen generation, large-scale DC applications, heat pumps, etc.) as well as the often advanced age of existing assets play a major role. Not only that, distribution system operators, as well as consumers, have to cope with skyrocketing energy prices and an energy shortage. As a result, measures to improve energy efficiency with an optimal CO₂ balance are becoming increasingly important. Thus, the focus on active grid management and supply-secure grid operation is intensifying. A future-oriented grid management system for the low-voltage range distribution grid, to complement the possibly existing medium-voltage grid management systems appears to be essential.

All this has prompted the two established companies, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG and Fichtner IT Consulting, to join forces. High-quality and fundamental measurement data are combined with intelligent digital grid management to fit each application.

Safeguarding grid stability and hence security of supply.
The concept developed by the two established companies Camille Bauer Metrawatt and Fichtner IT Consulting defines a secure approach based on well-founded and market-tested core components. It is based on the fundamental definition of a smart grid as described, for example, by the Swiss Federal Energy Office.

Systemic design structure of measurement
technology and digital intelligence.

In short: it means to operate the existing grid digitally, and thus astutely avoid costly extensions which require a lot of expensive material (e.g. copper). In other words, a smart grid!

The path to digital grid management in four steps Since the cooperation involves the use and combination of proven and innovative technologies, it is advisable to proceed step by step. Both companies have a fundamentally scalable approach to:

a) avoid overstretching the customer's budget
b) generate productive benefits at an early stage
c) ensure further expansion in line with current needs.

Consequently, the two companies propose a project implementation sequence in four steps:

1. Secure measurement at the low-voltage level to capture the reality in real-time through grid transparency.
2. Generation of a complete digital image of the grid by deriving the grid status and topology from existing sources.
3. Presentation of an interactive visualization of the measured values at the measuring points and the resulting grid status in the grid diagram (grid cockpit).
4. Finalization of a topological end result with the provision of analyses, forecasts and automatic procedures about further developments in the grid status. And this available specifically for each department.

The benefit: significantly lower costs for hardware and control room software, no additional copper in the ground and ultimately a greatly reduced workload, which can even be totally eliminated wherever feasible.

Two hundred and twenty two years of combined expertise.
Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG is a Swiss medium-sized company for the development and production of industrial measurement equipment. As such, Camille Bauer offers customers application-oriented solutions for the high-voltage monitoring and position sensoring markets. This includes a deep understanding of the needs of the electrical energy generation, distribution of energy as well as the industrial consumers. With its Swiss regard for highest quality and its strong capacity for innovation Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG delivers measurable added value to its customers.

A scalable metrological compass with high-resolution zero-blind technology

Fichtner IT Consulting GmbH is the IT competence centre of the world-wide Fichtner Group. They specialize in advising on and implementing high-performance IT solutions for technical networks, facilities and infrastructures. Fichtner combines industry expertise and process know-how with up-to-date technological competence to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions for the success and satisfaction of their customers. The acquisition, structuring and linking as well as targeted preparation and presentation of information, including spatial referencing, are key to efficient and effective business processes. The concepts and solutions of Fichtner IT Consulting ensure that companies are optimally positioned for digitization.

What the two companies have in common is not only their complementary areas of technological expertise, but also their long track record of success. In 2022, Fichtner will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and Camille Bauer can look back on 122 years of activity. And both managing directors, Andreas Höfler of Fichtner IT Consulting and Sascha Engel of Camille Bauer Metrawatt, see this as a major advantage in an industry that focuses on security of supply. Long-term resilience and years of experience are not incompatible with innovative capability!

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process (IPP).

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Software combines digital measurement data management and SCADA.

The topic of measurement, secure access to measurement data, secure storage of measurement data as well as the visualisation and analysis of such data poses ever-increasing challenges. Among other things, this is also driven by increasingly strict IT guidelines, growing complexity of infrastructures and data protection. And all this comes in the context of rapid digital market dynamics.

The goal: Simplify the world of measurement data
Camille Bauer Metrawatt introduces the innovative SmartCollect® SC² HMI/SCADA software for managing data in a user-friendly way. Unlike some other SCADA software tools in this category, SmartCollect® SC² is based on a new state-of-the-art platform with a visually appealing 2D/3D web-based graphical user interface. The simplicity, functionality, flexibility along with the price-performance ratio are convincing.

A look at the system architecture
Essentially, it is a web-based HMI that does not require a complicated client-server architecture. The advantage is obvious. The security of the IT infrastructure stays in the hands of the user and is not affected by how a user software accesses the HMI. The user runs the application via WebGUI and the application is monitored using role-based access control (RBAC) and an AuditLog. According to the customer-specific configuration, measurement data is securely stored on a server, locally or in the cloud, and retrieved for visualisation by the web-based HMI at the frontend. In addition, many common communication protocols are available for system integration.

Deliberate simplicity despite high performance is the order of the day
Innovative functionalities are at the heart of SmartCollect® SC². For example, infrastructural overviews of measurement data can be displayed in 2D or 3D graphics as well as in single-line diagrams. A dashboard also enables you to evaluate progressions in the relevant measurement data, to analyse them with synchronised zoom functions and to derive possible trends from them. In addition to visualising events and alarms, there are export functions for the measurement data. A big plus of the software is the access to individual measuring points from the HMI of the SmartCollect® SC² directly into the respective WebGUI of the measuring devices. Here, necessary settings as well as further measurement data can be viewed and deeper analyses can be made or even individual processes can be represented graphically. Access in the Camille Bauer products is also protected against unintentional manipulation with further integrated protective functions such as RBAC, Client Whitelist, AuditLog, Syslog, Secure Firmware, 16GB SD card and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https). The customer can set up all the options described above flexibly. The user can implement user profiles in order to adapt them later to the corresponding users. A wide range of national languages are supported. The SmartCollect® SC² also offers a user-friendly option to process a wide variety of data including measuring devices and sensors from different manufacturers as well as virtual channels. Modern sharing, snapshot and playlist functions are also included.

The right version for every use case
There are currently 4 editions of SmartCollect® SC² available for the use cases. The Starter Edition is the best choice for smaller installations, while the Standard Edition, which comes in a Professional or an Enterprise Edition, is recommended for more than 10 measuring points. The software is then scaled to the number of measuring points and the required measurement data and optimally designed to fit the existing budget. In addition, the user is guided during the design phase in a way that makes it clear from the beginning what the software will look like and how it will function in the application. This is a big plus for creating transparency and efficiency during the offer or initialisation phase. At the same time, the software in each edition can be scaled up by taking into account any potential far-sighted adaptations and extensions. The software is used in energy distribution applications as well as in industrial and commercial infrastructures. It is therefore a good all-rounder for many areas, especially where a particular measuring unit is taken into account.

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

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Assure power quality!

Power quality assurance is now available in small format in Camille Bauer's LINAX PQ1000 which measures power quality for industrial requirements according to class S

Demands for power quality assurance are growing stronger and louder. This is confirmed by utilities, industrial companies, but also by many electricians who are increasingly confronted by this issue when dealing with their customers. Very often questions then arise as to which measuring instrument should be used, the level of skill and the size of the budget required.

Power quality assurance for industrial needs. Power quality assessment according to IEC61000-4-30 class S is now provided by the LINAX PQ1000 power analyser series, whereby the measuring instrument is especially designed for analysing demand side power quality. The power quality assurance process on the demand side (after the PCC as per IEC TR 63191) is described here: "Demand Side Power Quality" (DSPQ)”.

But why class S and not class A?
Measuring instruments according to IEC 61000-4-30 Class A, basically provide measured values that are comparable across measuring instruments and manufacturers. In case of legal disputes, class A is mandatory and is especially relevant for distribution system operators.

Power quality analysers according to IEC 61000-4-30 class S are intended for basic/advanced power quality analysis and provide useful monitoring data. Instruments that meet Class S performance requirements are used for statistical power quality surveys and other applications and measurement services. There is no potential for disputes. This also means that no mandatory requirement for comparative measurements. The performance requirements for Class S are less stringent than for Class A. This results among other things, in a lower price. In industrial and utility applications, they are often used in the IPC (according to IEC [TR] 63191, this is the power distribution network after the Point of Common Coupling (PCC)). Even in data centres, they are strongly recommended within the infrastructure, according to EN50600-2-2:2019-08 [Chapter 6.2.3 Voltage Quality].

Power quality assurance certification also for class S
For accurate and precisely repeatable power quality measurements, it is especially important that the measurements comply with measurement procedure standards. These should not be confused with the standards for power quality compliance. For this reason, class S measuring instruments should also be certified. For the LINAX PQ1000, this is ensured by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), based on its big brothers LINAX PQ3000 & PQ5000. With Swiss precision.

Power quality assurance with the highest cybersecurity standards
The issue of cybersecurity is also growing more and more important as devices are increasingly networked. Especially in the energy distribution sector, for both public and private grids. Due to the threat situation, effective cybersecurity is essential. Like its big brothers, the LINAX PQ1000 offers many effective IT security features. These include role-based access rights (RBAC), encrypted transfer of web pages (https), client whitelist to limit access to end devices, audit log for seamless monitoring of changes and operations, certified firmware updates, redundant data logger outside the IT system.

LINAX PQ1000 configurations

Front panel or DIN rail mounting,
with or without TFT display

This measuring instrument, also referred to as a PQI or Power Quality Instrument as defined by IEC 62586-1/2 Power Quality Measurement in Power Supply Systems, is available in various options. The commonly used 96 x 96 mm form factor, allows the instrument to be easily fitted anywhere, either with TFT display for panel mounting or for DIN rail mounting with or without TFT display. All variants are possible, for complete flexibility. In addition, operation and communication are ultra-simple, thanks to the integrated web browser. No need for any additional software: operation, parameterization and monitoring are as easy as child's play. 

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

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Innovative and informative website about Power Quality.

The Power Quality as a Service (PQaaS) website has gone live online. The subject of mains Power Quality is rapidly becoming ever more important in the context of energy transition, smart grids and smart metering. By the same token, those who are supposed to be concerned and implicated in this are confronted with a host of different questions. What does Power Quality mean for power grid operators, administrations, industrial companies, electrical inspectors, electrical installers, professional associations, and infrastructure businesses such as airports, railroads, etc?

Knowledge sharing

The purpose of the new website is to provide useful theoretical and practical information to interested parties who may or may not be already familiar with the topic of Power Quality. And this is precisely what the name "Power Quality as a Service» is intended to highlight, using a concept familiar from the world of software services. The website transmits knowledge about relevant standards, measurement methods, why and where power quality is important, what are the phenomena and how do they manifest themselves, what you should pay attention to, how to ensure good Power Quality, examples of use, terminology clarifications, FAQs, etc.

A collaborative platform.

To cover the topic of power quality by touching on its various facets, Power Quality as a Service, or PQaaS, is based on standards, guidelines as well as practical experience. As such, PQaaS is not a one-off publication, instead it brings together international knowledge and technologies related to Power Quality from a wide range of different fields. At the same time, PQaaS continues to work on keeping up to date, maintaining interest and actively participating in social media activities. It purposely includes content from contributors, including blog articles and interactive chats, not least as a way of further enlarging the network of PQaaS partners and generating mutual benefit for all interested parties. The dynamic layout and content are designed to match this requirement.

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Certified power quality analysis.

Taken together, these specific protective measures guarantee a high degree of security and while still ensuring the greatest possible variability in the applications.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt is determined to continue with enhancements and innovations in response to conclusive market feedback and international trends even in this time of COVID-19. The issue of power quality is becoming increasingly important, particularly to ensure security of supply in the areas of power generation, power distribution and electricity consumption. By providing the appropriate measurement technology, Camille Bauer Metrawatt contributes to maintaining and continuously improving the security of supply.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Especially when making power quality measurements with a portable device, it is not uncom-mon for the supply voltage to be briefly interrupted. This often occurs for trivial reasons which, however, can influence measurement results significantly. For example, the power plug might fall out of the socket or be unplugged by mistake. If this happens during an EN50160-compliant measurement campaign for example, which normally lasts 7 days, the measurement result may contain gaps. For this reason, the newly integrated UPS in the LINAX PQ5000-MOBILE can easily outlast a power cut of 5 x 3 minutes. So, if there is a power failure, it provides enough time to reconnect the power plug to the socket while the measuring device continues to record without interruption. And the battery life is approx. 3-5 years. All LINAX PQ series power quality analysers can be optionally equipped with a UPS now.

Remote access via secure connection
We increasingly find in applications that measurements made with portable devices are also being made as part of a remote process. This entails not only having a qualified person on site to carry out the measurement on the electrical installation but also someone else, who may be located somewhere quite different, starts and ends the measurement series and saves the measurement data via Internet somewhere in the world. And so, this poses the question of how to implement this type of application securely.

To support this the company has introduced secure gateway access with a SIM card. This enables measurements to be carried out remotely at any time and from anywhere through the VPN tunnel. In addition, real-time data, for example from the event recorder, energy flow data, interim reports, alarms etc., can be safely viewed at any time, thus leading to early detection of mains power quality. In addition, the compliance reports, for example according to EN50160, can be generated without external software. Last but not least, the measurement data can be easily backed up to another location using the VPN connection.

Programmable event recording duration
In addition to the existing standards, customers are increasingly requesting individual parameters and results for evaluating and analysing power quality data. This has led Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG to introduce several new functions.

The time-based monitoring of the statistical conformity assessment, for example according to EN50160, IEC61000-2-2, GB/T, IEEE519, customer-specific protocol etc., can now be parametrized down to 10-minute periods. This also allows short-term monitoring of the power quality based on existing standards.

To make events even more readable, in future users will be able to configure the output graphics with reference to a programmable recording period. This includes the RMS values ½ ≤1s before and ≤180s after the triggering of a PQ event. In addition, the sample values of ≤1s before and ≤5s after triggering can be parametrized. The events can then be zoomed directly in the web browser and allow the relevant values to be read even better in a higher resolution.

All the above-mentioned properties can be entered easily in a user-friendly manner directly on the display of the LINAX PQ device (if display is available). It is even easier to do this directly in the integrated web browser using a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. And all this without the need for complex and costly additional software.

IT security through specific protective measures
New protection mechanisms have been introduced to reduce threats such as data theft, data manipulation and misuse. These include role-based access rights which prevent unwanted access to various functions, views and data. Consequently, users only receive the rights need-ed to perform their specific activities.

The "Audit Log" function logs additional security-relevant processes and stores them securely on a system logger. Furthermore, the Syslog protocol can be used to transfer the contents of the audit log to a central server for network monitoring. The access authorization can also be restricted to up to 10 computers with access rights.

The web-based device access can also take place via an https channel. Here, messages are encrypted and decrypted with the help of a certificate. The certificate is provided by Camille Bauer Metrawatt or alternatively a customer certificate can be used.

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

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Energy efficiency in Turkey.

At the invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry and Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG will discuss Turkey's strategic goals for energy efficiency.

From left: Sascha Engel, Oguz Can,
Hilal Celik and Bilal Düzgün

The whole world is facing radical transformation. Climate change and technological innovation in an age of rapidly permeating digitalization are transforming processes and other more disruptive things that just a few years ago were considered “immutable”. Many people and especially the younger generations, not least due to the Fridays for Future movement, are concerned about their future in the face of global warming. The focus is now on energy transition, which more and more companies, private individuals as well as states are investing in, to gain in energy efficiency and conserve natural resources by using renewable energies.

Due to increases in its energy consumption, Turkey is ranked No. 1 in Europe according to the Ministry in terms of the growth in demand for energy, and No. 2 in the world after China. It is planned to reduce consumption by 20% compared to 2011. At the same time, renewable energy sources are to be given priority over traditional means of energy production to take climatic and environmental considerations into account. In addition to wind power plants, emphasis is being put on roof-top photovoltaic systems, because with the introduction of smart grid technology, decentralised feed-ins can simultaneously be used as storage. Furthermore, in the case of a decentralised supply, the power transmission infrastructure is already in place and expensive cable routes and underground lines do not have to be built from scratch.

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Power Analysis.

Power grids ensure that consumers can be supplied with electrical energy at all times. Requirements for the quantity, availability and quality of the energy vary according to the consumer and are therefore contractually agreed between the consumer and the supplier. In this way, trouble-free operation of customer installations can be ensured without unduly influencing other energy consumers on the same network.

However, where mains power quality is concerned, the problems caused by influences are increasing rapidly. This is not least the result of consumer behaviour in terms of AC-DC voltage conversion, which makes energy planning an increasingly difficult task (for example when considering e-mobility). But also, countless and ever-increasing numbers of decentralised feed-in points, such as PV systems for example, multiply the supplier’s problems and as a result make it more difficult for them to comply with their contracts.

Two types of measurement may be useful in assessing power quality. On the one hand, a permanent measurement procedure is used to support 24/7 operation. This measurement should monitor the system as uninterruptedly and permanently as possible and continuously transmit relevant information to the operator (for example, with the LINAX PQ3000 or PQ5000). On the other hand, the so-called mobile measurement method is used to obtain an up-to-date picture of the power network on-site, in the event of a fault or during periodic checks by means of measurement campaigns. For this application, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG has introduced the metrologically-certified LINAX PQ5000 mobile to the market.

The LINAX PQ5000 mobile series of power quality meters is based on the technological specifications of the PQ3000 and PQ5000 family for monitoring the power supply quality. The PQ5000 mobile mobile measurement solution can be used to check the operationally-relevant aspects of the energy supply. These are characterized by supply quality, supply availability, evaluation of changes or improvement measures as well as energy flow analysis. Using the recently-introduced, innovative PQ-EASY REPORT, statistical reports on the power quality can be generated directly from the measuring device via a web browser. The reports follow standards such as EN50160, IEC61000-2-2, IEC61000-2-4 and IEC610002-12, GB/T (China) and IEEE519 and can be retrieved cost-efficiently without external software. In addition, individual limit value standards can be entered and selected. The time frame for statistical observation can be flexibly set by the user, but should not be less than 7 days for it to be in compliance with the standard. The unique PQ-EASY REPORT allows customers to select the scope of the report from one of three levels: a conformity overview, an overview with statistical details or an overview with statistical details plus an event overview. Customers can also include their own company logo in the reports generated by PQ-EASY Report. Communication to a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone for data analysis and status reporting is possible via an integrated WLAN or LAN interface. Data export of load profiles, waveforms and event lists is possible via CSV file. During the measurement, the device does not require any external communication, as the start/stop control can be done directly on the device. This means that it can be used even in application environments where the use of LAN or WLAN is not possible.

The Linax PQ5000 Mobile is housed in a robust and waterproof lockable enclosure. Individual current measurements are performed either via a current clamp set or Rogowoski coils.
The voltage is measured directly via fused voltage taps. As an orderable option, GPS time synchronization can be added to display the field measurement data with the correct time stamp.

With the metrological certification of the  PQ5000 Mobile, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG continues to apply the principle of not only indicating its accuracy in the data sheet, but also having it metrologically certified at the highest level. This guarantees that all standard-related data are correct and verifiable and allow users to determine the corresponding corrective actions to be taken.
Based on the latest technology standard, the unit also offers a very high level of price-performance. This is not least due to the fact that Linax PQ5000 Mobile is autonomous with no requirement for external software, because the analysis can be performed via an integrated web browser and using PQ-EASY Report. Quite simply, a complete and versatile solution!

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power & Process.

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A revolutionary new idea

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG sets a new standard for creating mains quality compliance reports, conveniently and without expensive software

An EN50160 NS compliance report

An exciting new innovation from Camille Bauer Metrawatt allows the generating of either standard-compliant or user-specific statistical reports directly from the measurement instrument. All this can be done completely autonomously without using proprietary software which sometimes makes life complicated for both users and IT departments. The function is easy to use and is called PQ EasyReporting.

The issue of power quality is frequently dealt with in isolation from other issues such as performance monitoring, load regulation, energy management or energy automation. However, because both mains supplies and consumers are increasingly affected by noise levels, it is essential to have a view of the total context. This means that power grid operators and increasingly also major consumers are faced with a difficult problem: this applies to all applications, no matter how different they are. Often, each one has a different software solution for performing measurements and ratings. Achieving compatibility between the various software solutions is frequently very difficult and expensive. And in some case it is even impossible. So, to solve this Camille Bauer Metrawatt has provided an ingenious solution. PQ EasyReporting.

The PQ3000 and PQ5000 mains quality measurement devices have a web-based feature for generating power quality reports directly from the measurement device. Standardised reports in PDF format are generated and made available to the user. Statistical standards according to EN50160, IEC61000-2-2, IEC61000-2-4 and IEC610002-12 can be selected directly on the instrument or externally via a web browser. It is also possible to enter and select individual limiting values. The time periods for the statistical evaluation is flexibly adjustable by the user, but should not be less than 7 days. The scope of the reports can be selected from three levels: a compliance summary, an overview with detailed statistics and an overview with both detailed statistics and a summary of events. Customers can also generate reports using their own company logo.

When upgrading or installing new equipment, or when performing ad hoc measurements, there is no need to purchase or upgrade expensive software solutions. PQ EasyReporting offers a simple method of generating compliance reports at any time without the need for additional software. It is very easy to use and it saves an enormous amount of time and money. And the guarantee that compliance reports contain accurate data according to the IEC61000-4-x test and measurement procedure is provided by Camille Bauer Metrawatt´s unique metrological certification according to IEC62586-2. This is virtually equivalent to having the measurement device officially calibrated for compliance with the relevant standards. "It couldn´t be more secure and simple!"

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

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French award for innovative instrument.

The leading French technical magazine MESURES awarded Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG a prize for innovation. The award ceremony is the closing event of the annual TECHNOLOGICAL RANKING in Paris, held in the offices of the FIEEC (Federation of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Industries). Grouped in different categories, each of the innovative products was judged based on its technical features.

In 2018, the products nominated were again from well-known companies. In nine different categories, industrial analysis, industrial data processing, control and regulation, etc. prizes were awarded to products which were judged as being particularly innovative.

In the Electrical and Electronic Instruments category, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG won a prize. The product CENTRAX CU3000/5000 was named as worthy of special mention and picked out for the cherished trophy. In his speech of thanks, Sascha Engel, CEO of Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG explained why they had chosen to present this product. Combining the highly-precise measurement of electrical values directly with a PLC maximizes the added-value for the customer in terms of flexibility, efficiency and cost optimisation.

The CENTRAX CU can be installed in decentralised as well as centralised energy automation applications. The measurement part of the instrument is capable of detecting more than 1500 measurement parameters to determine the status of the mains supply, energy consumption and mains quality. In the integrated PLC, this data is directly processed via CODESYS, both logically and algorithmically, without requiring any additional equipment.

External field devices for measuring any other values are no problem for the CENTRAX CU series. The CENTRAX CU ADVANCED, signals are captured using the Modbus Master feature and linked to the PLC environment. In addition the CENTRAX CU PROFESSIONAL is the most impressive version. It not only captures and processes measurement data but also supports user-specific visualisation of the data via a web-based interface. This is displayed either directly on the integrated LCD, or in a web browser on the screen of a PC, tablet or even a smartphone. Also newly available is an IEC61850 interface, so the device can be used for even more applications. As well as classical measurement tasks and performing the related calculations, the CENTRAX CU series can also be used as a summator or a gateway. It is thus a universal device, compliant with defined standards and with a very high degree of utilisation.

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power & Process

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Detecting risky residual currents.

Residual currents in low voltage networks represent a fundamental safety risk, if they go undetected or if they are detected too late. They may cause operations to be interrupted unexpectedly, incurring damage to man and machine and in the final instance, leading to high costs. "Detect early, warn and take action" are the watchwords in risk prevention. Permanent monitoring of residual currents is essential and is used to detect deterioration in the distribution system's insulation in a timely manner.

The residual current module for the SINEAX AM/DM, LINAX PQ and CENTRAX CU series is being introduced by Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG to detect residual currents in electrical systems. It provides an RCM (Residual Current Monitoring) function as well as direct measurement of the earth conductor currents in electrical systems. The RCM function is based on Kirchhoff's First Law (Junction Law). This rule states that in a junction in an electrical network, the sum of the incoming currents is equal to the sum of the currents leaving the junction. If there is a difference cause by leakage current flowing through the earth, then a residual current is detected and reported. The operator is then requested to take action. The causes of residual current in a system can often originate in defective components, for example in switching power supplies (LED lighting, computers, photovoltaic rectifiers, rapid charge points, etc.), or defective insulation in electrical connections and devices, defective PEN connections, etc.

In the optimum case, six current channels are used for monitoring, as shown here. Channel 5 is used for RCM and Channel 6 is used to directly measure the earth current (up to max. 1,000A).

Measurement of residual currents is performed by residual current transformers. To provide this function, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG has included residual current transformers to its product portfolio, in bushing-type and split-core versions. An individual alarm threshold and early warning threshold can be defined for each residual current channel. When the alarm threshold is violated, or if the measurement (RCM) conductor is broken, this activates the device's group alarm. Additionally, in devices with a data logger, all status changes are logged in the alarm log and early warning threshold violations are recorded in an event list. The alarm signal can be routed to digital outputs and displayed by the SMARTCOLLECT database software. The residual current values that are currently being measured can be visualised directly on the device display or on the device website (WebGUI) and can also be output on analogue outputs. The values can also be read via bus interfaces.

By recording the average value of the residual current, it is possible to detect a gradual change in the residual current.

The advantages of permanent residual current monitoring are evident. On the one hand, it can eliminate costly periodic manual inspections, which only indicate the status quo at the time of measurement. On the other hand, continuous monitoring improves fire protection and also makes a significant contribution to protection against personal injury and damage to property. Applications for RCM, which is often in used in an energy metering and network quality analysis context, are frequently to be found in data centres, hospitals, hotels and other public buildings (for example shopping centres, airports, etc.), industrial installations, sensitive production units, banks etc. In such cases, to avoid any safety risk, threshold values in compliance with EN 62020 are applied (for example 100 mA).

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

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Current transformers.

Customers can now choose from a wide range of current transformers available from Camille Bauer Metrawatt. These include standard current transformers in the SIRAX CT series with 1A or 5 A output, available in 4 variants.

These variants are: wound current, bushing-type (single-phase or three-phase), split core and compact SC series core-balanced current transformers. The DACT and KBU series, which are essential for measuring residual current in electrical systems, were recently added to the portfolio of residual current transformers. With an RCM (Residual Current Monitor), even the smallest residual currents (leakage currents) are detected with high precision by the residual current detector and transferred to a higher-level measurement device (for example SIRAX AM1000/3000, PQ3000/5000, etc.). This is to prevent damage to people and to system hardware before it can occur. Typical areas of application are data centres, hospitals, factories, public buildings, shopping centres, etc.

To complement the portfolio of residual current transformers, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG is introducing unique and intelligent AC/DC current transformers to the market. Their advantage is being able to measure single phase currents up to 300AAC (max. 800VAC), or 400ADC (max. 1000VDC) in different frequency ranges which gives planners and system builders maximum flexibility. Energy meters integrated in the transformer are also optionally available. These save buying separate energy meters for internal invoicing, which simplifies the installation task and saves cost as a result.  Intelligent current transformers are thus ideal in applications for monitoring photovoltaic systems, battery charging systems, UPS systems as well as processes with changing frequencies. The transformer parameters can be configured either by DIP switches or through Modbus RTU, using a free, user-friendly software utility.

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

#CamilleBauer #PAuto #TandM @irishpwrprocess 

Detecting risky residual currents.

Residual currents in low voltage networks represent a fundamental safety risk, if they go undetected or if they are detected too late. They may cause operations to be interrupted unexpectedly, incurring damage to man and machine and in the final instance, leading to high costs. "Detect early, warn and take action" are the watchwords in risk prevention. Permanent monitoring of residual currents is essential and is used to detect deterioration in the distribution system's insulation in a timely manner.

The residual current module for the SINEAX AM/DM, LINAX PQ and CENTRAX CU series is being introduced by Camille Bauer Metrawatt to detect residual currents in electrical systems. It provides an RCM (Residual Current Monitoring) function as well as direct measurement of the earth conductor currents in electrical systems. The RCM function is based on Kirchhoff's First Law (Junction Law). This rule states that in a junction in an electrical network, the sum of the incoming currents is equal to the sum of the currents leaving the junction. If there is a difference cause by leakage current flowing through the earth, then a residual current is detected and reported. The operator is then requested to take action. The causes of residual current in a system can often originate in defective components, for example in switching power supplies (LED lighting, computers, photovoltaic rectifiers, rapid charge points, etc.), or defective insulation in electrical connections and devices, defective PEN connections, etc.

In the optimum case, six current channels are used for monitoring, as shown here. Channel 5 is used for RCM and Channel 6 is used to directly measure the earth current (up to max. 1,000A).

The residual current module lowers the safety risk in electrical installations in low voltage networks and provides an early warning when gradual deviations occur.  

Measurement of residual currents is performed by residual current transformers. To provide this function, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG has included residual current transformers to its product portfolio, in bushing-type and split-core versions. An individual alarm threshold and early warning threshold can be defined for each residual current channel. When the alarm threshold is violated, or if the measurement (RCM) conductor is broken, this activates the device's group alarm. Additionally, in devices with a data logger, all status changes are logged in the alarm log and early warning threshold violations are recorded in an event list. The alarm signal can be routed to digital outputs and displayed by the SMARTCOLLECT database software. The residual current values that are currently being measured can be visualised directly on the device display or on the device website (WebGUI) and can also be output on analogue outputs. The values can also be read via bus interfaces.

By recording the average value of the residual current, it is possible to detect a gradual change in the residual current.

The advantages of permanent residual current monitoring are evident. On the one hand, it can eliminate costly periodic manual inspections, which only indicate the status quo at the time of measurement. On the other hand, continuous monitoring improves fire protection and also makes a significant contribution to protection against personal injury and damage to property. Applications for RCM, which is often in used in an energy metering and network quality analysis context, are frequently to be found in data centres, hospitals, hotels and other public buildings (for example shopping centres, airports, etc.), industrial installations, sensitive production units, banks etc. In such cases, to avoid any safety risk, threshold values in compliance with EN 62020 are applied (for example 100 mA).

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Capturing time-critical data using GPS.

Digitization and the reliability of accurate measurement data are inherent to the constantly expanding demands of the energy distribution and production industries. And consumers are also demanding more accurate and traceable data to protect them from damage and costs as well as to continuously optimize their energy consumption. But what if systems or transformer stations are not yet linked to the digital world and time-critical data still has to be available?

To provide this capability, Camille Bauer Metrawatt equips its highly-accurate measurement devices in the SINEAX AM, SINEAX DM5000, LINAX PQ and CENTRAX CU series with GPS modules. The pre-configured GPS modules synchronize the integrated time measurement of the devices using GPS signals, to ensure that each measurement value is recorded with the globally correct date and time. Timestamps are important when performing sensitive energy measurements. And also, when problems occur, they can be promptly detected before it becomes too late. If the fault has already occurred, accurate data with a precise timestamp are essential to be able efficiently pinpoint the causes.

When there are specific network quality issues, either with respect to IEC 61000-4-30 Ed.3 norms or non-standard network criteria (for example absolute performance monitoring, individual threshold exceedances) accurate timestamps are a must. They make it possible to supply the event monitoring software reliably with time-critical data. As well as this, standardized, IEEE 1159.3-compliant, PQDIF files can be retrieved, saved and read with accurate timestamps directly from the device using PQ-DIFFRACTOR or the SMARTCOLLECT data management software. Accurate timestamps are also an essential component of automation applications; for example lighting controls, network load symmetrization and monitoring of production resources such as transformers, motors, etc.

The official designation of GPS is "Navigational Satellite Timing and Ranging – Global Positioning System" (NAVSTAR GPS) and it is now pervasive in mobile devices like smartphones and navigation devices. Each satellite is equipped with one or more atomic clocks. The major advantage of GPS signals is that GPS receivers only receive data from satellites but do not transmit. Because the position detection is normally done by computing the signal propagation times between the satellites and the GPS receiver, no information can flow to unauthorized third parties.

• Camille Bauer products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power and Process.

 #CamilleBauerMetrawatt #PAuto #Power @irishpwrprocess 

Measurement synchronization using GPS.

Digitization and the reliability of accurate measurement data are inherent to the constantly expanding demands of the energy distribution and production industries. And consumers are also demanding more accurate and traceable data to protect them from damage and costs as well as to continuously optimize their energy consumption. But what if systems or transformer stations are not yet linked to the digital world and time-critical data still has to be available?

To provide this capability, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG equips its highly-accurate measurement devices in the SINEAX AM, SINEAX DM5000, LINAX PQ and CENTRAX CU series with GPS* modules. The pre-configured GPS modules synchronize the integrated time measurement of the devices using GPS signals, to ensure that each measurement value is recorded with the globally correct date and time. Timestamps are important when performing sensitive energy measurements. And also, when problems occur, they can be promptly detected before it becomes too late. If the fault has already occurred, accurate data with a precise timestamp are essential to be able efficiently pinpoint the causes.

When there are specific network quality issues, either with respect to IEC 61000-4-30 Ed.3 norms or non-standard network criteria (for example absolute performance monitoring, individual threshold exceedances) accurate timestamps are a must. They make it possible to supply the event monitoring software reliably with time-critical data. As well as this, standardized, IEEE 1159.3-compliant, PQDIF files can be retrieved, saved and read with accurate timestamps directly from the device using PQ-DIFFRACTOR or the SMARTCOLLECT data management software. Accurate timestamps are also an essential component of automation applications; for example lighting controls, network load symmetrization and monitoring of production resources such as transformers, motors, etc.

*The official designation of GPS is "Navigational Satellite Timing and Ranging – Global Positioning System" (NAVSTAR GPS) and it is now pervasive in mobile devices like smartphones and navigation devices. Each satellite is equipped with one or more atomic clocks. The major advantage of GPS signals is that GPS receivers only receive data from satellites but do not transmit. Because the position detection is normally done by computing the signal propagation times between the satellites and the GPS receiver, no information can flow to unauthorized third parties.

• Camille Bauer Metrawat products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power & Process.

#CamilleBauerMetrawatt #PAuto #TandM  @irishpwrprocess 

New manufacturing service.

"Industry contributes to our country's innovation, full employment and competitiveness. Switzerland's manufacturing base is indispensable, but industry must seize on the opportunities of digitisation". Thus states a video message by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann to the Industry 2025 initiative, published in the October 2017 issue of swiss technology magazine.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG, based in Wohlen in Aargau (CH) is following precisely this objective, by building on its strength, namely the competence of company's internal workforce. For years the company has been living the Lean culture, based on the Toyota Production System. Thanks to this system, the Swiss company has succeeded internationally and competes successfully in the world market.

Important factors for its success are total customer orientation, innovation and continuous improvement at all process levels. Along with this goes the implementation of digitisation throughout the entire context of industrialisation and manufacturing, which Camille Bauer Metrawatt knows how to deal with on a daily basis. A major milestone was already reached in June 2017, the migration to 100% paperless manufacturing. To make this possible, all processes in the ERP system were connected together in a network, which had a lasting, positive effect on the environment, flexibility and speed in the whole value-added chain. Uncompromising quality standards and performing a large percentage of production internally are an important foundation for satisfying customer demands with optimum delivery performance.

As well as its own products, which Camille Bauer Metrawatt has successfully developed, manufactured and marketed worldwide since 1944, the company is firmly committed to Switzerland as a manufacturing base and has broadened its offer to include manufacturing services. These manufacturing services can be used to handle production bottlenecks, take charge of test and validation processes, or perform industrialisation and repair services as well as logistical tasks.

They conform to relevant standards, regulations and certificates such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, RoHS, REACH, ATEX, UL, GL IPC-A-610-D etc. The services are tailored to individual customer requirements and cover the following core areas: (1) Flexible and customised testing and validation of electrical assemblies and terminals with reliable test procedures and test equipment; (2) Manufacture of electronic assemblies in various production technologies; (3) Assembly of terminals using the cell production method; (4) Consulting in the areas of logistics, packing, warehousing, Kanban, lean management, paperless production, industrialisation, etc. Safety and reliability in each case provide the assurance of customer satisfaction.

#CamilleBauer #PAuto #Switzerland

Postioning in world of Industrie 4.0!

The detection of objects in systems is an important part of automation today. Objects have to be reliably detected and measured, as well as verifying that they are correctly positioned. The scope of possible applications is almost limitless and is continuously expanding (for example, detecting valve and flap positions, the position of PV panels for optimal exposure to light, the position of a ship's rudder, automation tasks in the machine-tool industry, etc.)

As well as measuring and displaying electrical parameters, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG offers position sensoring solutions for angular position and tilt measurements. These precision sensors are an important link between the mechanical hardware and control intelligence. Under the KINAX brand name, the product offering ranges from basic to the robust devices needed for applications in harsh environments Based on a unique measurement concept and housing design, the position sensors ensure very high levels of precision, reliability and durability. Their primary objective is to ensure that systems, productions and processes operate trouble-free over the long term.

The function of these angular transducers is to capture rotational or translational movement and convert it into an electrical output signal. The mechanical structure of the sensors is designed to withstand very high stresses and offers, in combination with the patented and wear-proof capacitive-based measurement process, measurement results that are reliable at all times. A plug-and-play system ensures that on-site commissioning is very simple. Even redundant measurements can be performed easily with the help of hollow shaft transmitter.

As well as classical angular transducers, their product portfolio also includes tilt sensors. Using the principle of the plumb line, these sensors capture deviations from the horizontal or the vertical, with reference to the Earth's gravity. The main advantage compared to transmitter in this case, is that the mechanical coupling is takes places directly with the object to be measured. The parameter settings are straightforward and performed on-site. No time-consuming calibration is required and absolute measurement values are available at all times. In addition, the high quality of the housing material and the high degree of protection guarantee maximum durability.

With the KINAX HW730 angular transducer, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG now joins the world of Industry 4.0. Thanks to the direct Ethernet link via Modbus TCP, data consistency is ensured from the sensor up to the control and data centres. It should be noted that, thanks to the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, the operating voltage is sourced directly through the Modbus TCP. This completely eliminates the need for communication gateways and reduces the complexity, design effort and, above all, costs.

• Camille Baur products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

#CamilleBauer #Pauto @irishpwrprocess 

Controlled monitoring and control of transformers.

To address the needs of the energy automation sector and in the context of digitization, Camille Bauer is introducing higher-performance variants of the CENTRAX CU3000 and CU5000. As well as the BASIC version the ADVANCED version is now also available. The CENTRAX is a 2-in-1 device, combining in a single housing a highly precise measurement device for monitoring electrical parameters and the functionality of a programmable logic controller. It supports the CODESYS development environment for developing IEC 61131-3 compliant industrial automation applications.

CENTRAX CU3000 or CU5000 in an example of a
networked application with the CODESYS
development environment

New Modbus Master function
Via the RS-485 and Ethernet interfaces, the CENTRAX can now also retrieve and perform further processing of the measurement data and status information from any Modbus device. Requests are transmitted using either Modbus/TCP or Modbus/RTU. An extensive library of predefined Modbus devices is available for this purpose, making integration of the desired information significantly easier. It also eliminates any definition errors from the requests in advance.

Free useable Modbus mapping
There are up to 1000 registers available for user-defined measurement data mapping and up to 200 for status data (coils). Users can thus make the data from their control application available to higher level systems, such as the SCADA Data Management System, etc. in a universal and extremely flexible way.

Costs and benefits
From a cost/benefit point of view, the advantage of the additional functions of the ADVANCED version is evident. The integration of a highly precise measurement instrument and a soft-PLC in a single housing means that the component cost alone is reduced by 50%. Procurement and logistics-centred processes are optimized at the same time. Furthermore, the functional integration has an immediate positive impact on planning and implementation costs, both financially and time-wise. At a wide range of different levels of digitization, such as local automation (manual retrieval of data when needed), remote monitoring (specific, transmission of a reduced set of data via power line, EDGE GPRS, etc. or remote control (remote monitoring and its control based on broadband transmission via LAN, LTE glass fibre etc.), the CENTRAX, as a local intelligent unit, offers a cost-effective and well as universal solution

Potential applications
Applications for CENTRAX are to be found wherever there is a need to perform precise measurements as well as additional control tasks. For example the retrofit digitization of on-load tap changers, the controlled monitoring and control of transformers for overload protection, control of the effective load of lifts for efficiency optimization, timers for street lighting etc.

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power and Process

#CamilleBauer #PAuto

Multifunctional DC energy meter.

The trend towards efficient utilization of limited resources has led to the introduction of a host of activities for energy efficiency improvement. For DC systems especially, monitoring their performance and error-free operation is fundamental. Photovoltaic and battery storage systems are particularly relevant here and the focus is also evidently on the power supplies of emerging electromobility solutions.

Universal 4-channel DC transducer
SIRAX BM1450

In the case of photovoltaic systems, energy efficiency is normally monitored at string inverter or inverter level. To do this, each string of a PV module or the individual inverter is measured in order to capture operating data such as voltage, current and power in both DC as well as AC.

This data shows the productivity of the system and also provides the operator with early indications of possible problem areas.

Camille Bauer's  SIRAX BM1450 multifunctional DC energy meter was designed for the measurement and monitoring of DC systems. With four independent channels and multi channel support, it is ideal for bidirectional voltage and current measurement. The DC energy meter can be used to measure the energy consumption of four independent loads as well as charging and discharging currents. The measurement data can be parametrized directly on the device using two pushbuttons or via the RS485 Modbus RTU interface. Four integrated relay outputs allow the user to implement functions such as triggering a pulse output for additional external counters or for implementing time-delayed tasks.

The outputs can be activated by an external limit switch for example or other remote triggers. Measurement results can be displayed locally on the large 4-row LED display or sent via Modbus RTU to a higher-level system, (such as the SMARTCOLLECT data management system from Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG) for display and further processing.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power and Process.

#CamilleBauer #PAuto 

Precise heavy current transducers.

The DM5S transducer is the latest addition to Camille Bauer Metrawatt's large product portfolio. Just like the SINEAX M1000, the predecessor model, and a world first for this type of device, the main function of the DM5S is highly accurate representation of the basic parameters of an electrical network. It then transmits this representation securely via analogue outputs or a digital interface.

The basic accuracy of the DM5 is 0.15% for current and voltage, 0.2% for power ratings and 0.5S for energy counters. The highlights of the new series are its many selectable options and the fact that measurement values are captured continuously (zero-blind measurement). In addition, the device can be individually configured even without being connected to auxiliary power. The optimised and compact design not only saves space, but also reduces cost. DM5S supports up to 32 counters with up to 16 tariffs, while the DM5F delivers very high processing speeds of up to 15 ms. This makes it easy to implement even the most demanding applications such as turbine control systems.

The free "CB Manager" software is not just used to set up the device parameters, it also provides utility functions to support the user to get started, such as printing product identification labels, checking connections, recording measurement values as well as simulation and trimming the analogue outputs. Users can freely define the Modbus mapping of the optional Modbus interface. This ensures optimised data retrieval by fetching all the relevant data in a single access.

DM5 series devices are UL-certified and are regularly audited by an independent test lab. This ensures that they are always compliant with the latest standards and that each device works perfectly. The UL certification is combined with end-to-end monitoring of the whole production process. This ensures that only qualified components are used, and only documented production processes are performed. It allows for a constantly high level of product quality, in conformity with all safety and EMC standards.

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power & Process.

#CamilleBauer #PAuto @irishpwrprocess 

Heavy current transducers.

The SINEAX DM5 series of devices are programmable universal measurement instruments for heavy current networks: classic high precision transducers for top hat rail mounting, they are suitable for almost any type of monitoring function and as well as for retrofitting in energy distribution and industry.

This transducer is the latest addition to Camille Bauer Metrawatt's large product portfolio. Just like the SINEAX M1000, the predecessor model, and a world first for this type of device, the main function of the DM5S is highly accurate representation of the basic parameters of an electrical network. It then transmits this representation securely via analogue outputs or a digital interface.

The basic accuracy of the DM5 is 0.15% for current and voltage, 0.2% for power ratings and 0.5S for energy counters. The highlights of the new series are its many selectable options and the fact that measurement values are captured continuously (zero-blind measurement). In addition, the device can be individually configured even without being connected to auxiliary power. The optimised and compact design not only saves space, but also reduces cost. DM5S supports up to 32 counters with up to 16 tariffs, while the DM5F delivers very high processing speeds of up to 15 ms. This makes it easy to implement even the most demanding applications such as turbine control systems.

The free "CB Manager" software is not just used to set up the device parameters, it also provides utility functions to support the user to get started, such as printing product identification labels, checking connections, recording measurement values as well as simulation and trimming the analogue outputs. Users can freely define the Modbus mapping of the optional Modbus interface. This ensures optimised data retrieval by fetching all the relevant data in a single access.

DM5 series devices are UL-certified and are regularly audited by an independent test lab. This ensures that they are always compliant with the latest standards and that each device works perfectly. The UL certification is combined with end-to-end monitoring of the whole production process. This ensures that only qualified components are used, and only documented production processes are performed. It allows for a constantly high level of product quality, in conformity with all safety and EMC standards.

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.

#PAuto #CamilleBauer @irishpwrprocess