ABB has extended its PQF range

ABB has extended its PQF (Power Quality Filter) series of microprocessor-controlled active filters with the launch of the PQFS compact wall-mounting unit designed to solve harmonic and neutral current-related problems in commercial buildings and small industrial applications.

The PQFS has the versatility to work equally well with three-phase, three-wire or three-phase, four-wire systems. It is ideally suited to small and medium loads where the equipment is connected between line and neutral or line and line or a mix of these types. The unique feature of load balancing between line and neutral enables the PQFS to reduce even the fundamental frequency current in the neutral, normally present due to unbalanced loading between phases, as well as filtering the harmonic currents from the line and neutral conductors.

STANDARD PQF FEATURES

The PQFS offers all the standard features of the PQF range in a compact unit; including individual targeting of harmonics combined with curve setting functionality and closed loop control. This allows achievement of standards such as G5/4 and IEEE 519, with optimal filter rating. Reactive power compensation enables the load power factor to be increased to the desired level, while balancing loads between phases helps in reducing the negative sequence current. In common with the existing filters in the PQF range (PQFI, PQFM, PQFK) the PQFS is modular in design. On-site extensions can be made easily by adding slave units in parallel with the master unit. The PQFS is suitable for direct connection up to 415V and is available in three power ranges: 60, 45 and 30 ARMS per unit.

ABB PQF ACTIVE FILTER CONCEPT

The increasing use of non-linear loads in all types of industrial and commercial applications has resulted in the introduction of potentially harmful harmonics into the power network that can lead to overheating of cables, motors and transformers, damage to sensitive equipment, tripping of circuit breakers and blowing of fuses as well as premature ageing of the installation. ABB PQF active filters provide a reliable and costeffective solution to this problem by continuously monitoring the current in real time to determine what harmonics are present and then injecting harmonic currents in the network with exactly the opposite phase to the components that are to be filtered. The two harmonics effectively cancel each other out so that the feeding transformer sees a clean sine wave

Cost and energy savings for the big ‘Bling’

Pleasure Beach, Blackpool’s spectacular new ride takes its name from the world of pop culture, ‘Bling’. The white-knuckle experience takes people for a 60mph spin in three different directions at up to 100ft above the ground. It demands considerable amounts of power and the owners of the park looked to ABB to help them deliver the electricity required without having to undertake a total upgrade to the power network supplying the Pleasure Beach.

The Bling ride places a big demand on the three-phase power network that serves one of the world’s greatest entertainment parks. The ride was expected to draw around 1,400A per phase. With the installation of ABB’s power factor correction equipment, the supply current needed was reduced to 1,200A per phase which, in turn, has meant that the power needed to operate the ride was cut by approximately 25 per cent. The power factor correction installation consists of one bank of capacitors totalling 300kVAr.

With total energy savings running at up to £2,000 per month during the peak season, the ABB equipment is expected to pay for itself in less than three years.

ABB not only provided the power factor correction equipment, it also installed a new transformer and switchboard control, as well as making the connection to the electricity network, which involved liaising with the local distribution network operator (DNO), United Utilities.