COVER STORY
such additional effort and the shutdown of the power supply involves high downtime costs. In addition, restarting the installation is complex or not possible at all (for example, in intensive care areas). Any switching or transferring of loads also further increases the probability of an unplanned outage. Section 622.2 of the BS7671:2008 (amendment 3 2015) wiring regulations, states that a continuous monitoring system with a suitable management system can negate the need to carry out periodic inspection and testing, substituting a less intrusive process that avoids disconnection of loads. It must demonstrate that an adequate management system has been put in place to ensure that “an effective regime of continuous monitoring and maintenance” exists.
Effective monitoring An effective monitoring solution must conform with the requirements of BS7671 Chapter 62 Periodic Inspection and Testing; therefore a documented process of engineering activity is required. Confirmation of the installation status can be managed by a continuous online monitoring system using RCMS in conjunction with Bender’s cloud based reporting software Powerscout. The system also fulfils the requirements of record keeping as detailed in Regulation 622.2. Powerscout integrates data from
Bender’s RCMS, power quality monitors (PQM) and third party universal measuring devices and is particularly suited to healthcare facilities. Powerscout continually reports on the status and condition of the site’s electrical infrastructure, enabling pro-active maintenance and preventing unplanned downtime. The software continually collects measurements and generates user specific reports. This detailed information provides the basis for measuring without switch off. Used together, RCMS technology
and Powerscout can provide on demand information on the entire electrical infrastructure including the integrity of the insulation. The storage of historical data and the ability to trend systems to identify potential degradation over time meets and exceeds the requirements of an ‘adequate management system’ as defined under Regulation 622.2. Continuous monitoring gives estate
and facility managers an accurate real time picture of the entire data for single or multiple site locations, delivering all the information they need direct to a desktop or mobile device, with all measured values automatically and continuously saved. Data can be accessed remotely only by authorised site staff or service
IFHE DIGEST 2018
Powerscout integrates data from Bender’s RCMS, PQM and third party universal measuring devices and is particularly suited to healthcare facilities.
partners through secure web interfaces. The software can be individually adjusted to the customer’s system and monitoring requirements to create a precisely tailored solution. Importantly, the automated report on residual currents and power quality enables verification of the integrity of the system without switch off and is designed to fulfil IEC 60364-6 requirements for periodic verification of low voltage electrical installations. The safety and integrity of electrical systems within critical environments can therefore be managed without the need for shutdown and restart, with no interruption to service.
Increasing profitability With RCMS, the facilities team can determine specific test intervals based on practice. This can remove, reduce or extend the test intervals for insulation resistance measurement. Depending on the use of the equipment, it is possible to set the intervals for periodic testing involving insulation resistance measurements to suit both safety considerations and commercial operating needs. Shutdowns for conventional insulation resistance measurements, even for short periods, are no longer required due to the specific use of RCMS. The availability of an electrical
installation is increased as potentially hazardous currents are located at an early stage in the process, minimising costly unplanned outages. Costs incurred
for the insulation measurement during the periodic testing of electrical installations and equipment are also minimised as works can be planned to match the needs of the business. Electrical safety testing and inspecting without downtime increases system availability and helps to minimise unplanned outages, a significant cause of lost revenue. It is a practical and affordable solution that can enhance safety, increase profit and boost revenue. The system has already been accepted
by the leading testing authorities and is being installed in hospital critical areas throughout the UK and Ireland.
HTM Regulation 621.1 states that: “where required, periodic inspection and testing of every electrical installation shall be carried out in accordance with regulations 621.2 to 621.5 in order to determine as far as is reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service”.
Bender UK Low Mill Business Park Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 9EE Tel: 44(0) 1229 480123 Fax: 44(0) 1229 480345 Tel: +353 1 5060611
www.bender-uk.com
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
