P4A Uses Wago System For Power Monitoring

Products 4 Automation (P4A) has concluded an agreement with Wago. Under the agreement, P4A will use Wago's 750 Series I/O system in conjunction with its Monitouch range of flat-panel, programmable HMIs to provide power-monitoring solutions for building and home-automation applications. Paul Hurst, managing director of P4A, said: 'The I/O system we are using - the 750 Series - is well proven in building-services applications and is recognised as the most compact, modular and fieldbus-independent I/O system for decentralised automation.

'Using the 750 system means that our power-monitoring systems will be easy to expand as user demand grows; they will be able to interface to anything and also be future proof, as the Wago system - with its fieldbus-independent design - has an open protocol. P4A will be interfacing the 750 Series I/O to its Monitouch range of flat panel, programmable HMIs. Said to offer Scada-like performance at HMI prices, the Monitouch range is capable of interfacing to a range of external devices; of providing multiple screens depicting all aspects of power monitoring; and of data logging in CSV format.

The combination of the Wago I/O and the Monitouch HMI is designed to provide a low-cost, highly flexible power-monitoring system that can be easily implemented to provide centralised monitoring of all types of energy-intensive operations in industry and commerce, to determine areas where savings can be achieved. Easy to install and operate, the power-monitoring system can be employed to quickly identify the 15 to 20 per cent annual energy savings that, according to energy industry estimates, are available simply by reducing the costs of lighting, HVAC and the operation of plant and machinery.

Wago Enhances Power Supply Range

Wago Corporation has added a UPS controller (and batteries), as well as buffer and redundancy modules to the 787 Series advanced power supply line. The 787 Series modules are designed to minimise downtime by shielding complex automation systems and components from common disturbances (for example, voltage fluctuations, harmonic distortion and outages).

Encapsulated in a robust, DIN rail mount metal housing, every module includes three LEDs and at least one signal output status LED (varies per model). To ensure reliability, the modules utilise Cage Clamp spring pressure connection technology for fast, easy and maintenance-free terminations. Wago provides free configuration and monitoring software with the 787 Series UPS controller for custom configuration, diagnostics and monitoring.

The 787 Series UPS also has an LCD/keypad and an RS-232 interface. Under normal operation, the UPS controller charges the 787 Series battery. During an outage, the UPS controller engages the battery, preventing data loss. In addition to free software, the UPS controller operates at 95 per cent efficiency and has an operating temperature range of -10C to +60C.

During shorter power interruptions such as brownouts, the 787 Series buffer module protects data. The 787 Series redundancy modules safeguard two power supplies that are parallel connected to provide system redundancy or additional power.