Solar / Alternative Energy Applications

If an alarm or monitoring system is to be installed adjacent to another, (for example: a municipal hurricane or tornado warning system) it is desirable to tie in to it. This can be achieved by the utilization of an NK Technologies' Current Operated Switch (The split-core version is ideal for this). The switch simply detects current flowing in a conductor to the audible or visual alarm providing a fully isolated 'repeater' signal. Switches are available for both AC and DC applications.

Close.

Industrial rechargeable battery systems are used to provide primary power for vehicles and back-up systems for critical equipment, like cell phone base stations and other communication equipment. DC current flows in one direction during charging and in the opposite direction during battery operation. Traditional Current Transformers do not work with DC current and using current shunts has been the solution. The shunt operates by producing a voltage potential across its terminals according to Ohm's law. It suffers from a number of serious disadvantages:

• Terminals can rise to the potential of the DC circuit
• The signal produced is usually 50-100mV at full rated current and must be isolated and amplified to a higher level signal (typically 4-20mA) to be of use to an industrial monitoring or control system.
• The shunt dissipates power according to the square of the current flowing through it.
• This manifest itself as a loss of power or an insertion loss.

Forget the shunt and instead simply pass the current carrying conductor through the aperture of an NK Technologies' DC Current Transducers. There is no insertion loss and the 4-20mA signal is fully isolated from both the DC current being measured and the power supply. The bipolar option also accommodates the change in direction of current flow.

Close.

Photovoltaic arrays are used primary in two ways to:

• Charge batteries that are used to power remote loads where installing a connection to the utility grid would be cost prohibitive
• Energize installations where the DC power is converted to 60 HZ AC power through a solid state inverter.

NK Technologies' DC Current Transducers can be installed so that the output of the arrays can be monitored. These transducers are available in bipolar versions so that current may be measured during charging or discharging of the batteries.

Additionally NK Technologies' Power Transducers can be installed to monitor the voltage, current and frequency output from the inverter.

Close.

The need for back-up power for critical loads is becoming more and more apparent to operating and maintenance personnel. Many existing factories and facilities are also adding generators to assist the grid connection supply during times of excessive consumption, or to help the plant ride through periods of peak usage when the utility charges a premium for power. Monitoring the current demand provided from a generator allows for load shedding of non-critical loads when the generator is nearing its capacity. NK Technologies' Current Operated Switches close when the demand, measured by current, is too high, and by connecting to a controller (like a PLC), less critical loads can be disconnected from the system.

Close.

lnstalling an NK Technologies' Current Transducer over the conductors on the secondary of a transformer can be used to alarm if the current draw reaches a critical level. Action can then be taken to reduce the load before the transformer overheats. Most large power transformers utilize auxiliary cooling fans, drawing cooler air from a distance away from the transformer. NK Technologies' Current Transducers or Current Operated Switches are used to monitor these fans for overload from bearing failure, under loads from drive component breakage or slippage, and to just be sure that the fan is energized and doing its required job.

Close.