Load Checkers
– Description
LoadChecker blocks the mains supply to the load if excessive current is drawn through it. However, in the event of blocking, its patented self-reset feature normalizes the supply to the load, once the load is disconnected for a minimum time. The entire operation does not require any manual effort or attention. The product uses soft blocking technology, thus ensuring very long life.
Features
Alternative to 100% metering
Highly Economic
Highly Effective
Minimum investment
Zero maintenance
Zero Upkeep cost
Application
100% metering for various low load consumers.
Fixed Tariff connections.
Subsidized consumer groups.
Pre-metering connection Schemes.
In Railways for restricting the user from powering higher loads.
– Selection Guide
TYPES | FEATURES | |
MCB Module |
|
< 24 Watt < 48 Watt < 72 Watt < 96 Watt |
Pipe Module |
|
< 5 W < 30 W |
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 | ||
|
Tamper Proof Enclosure
– Concept
In the real world, the demand-supply gap for energy cannot be wished away. Regulatory considerations, democratic measures or simply practical limitations may force us to consider load limiting measures to serve a larger consumer base in a fair but practical manner. Further, the Self Healing concept getting popular under Smart Grids is expected to correct abnormalities at source in an automated manner. Appropriate demand side management measures and a pay-and-use culture in the larger consumer base can address a large portion of the problems that plague the distribution sector in many parts of the world, provided they are properly engineered, implemented and managed.
Provision of basic electricity today is seen increasingly as a social obligation. However, once a connection is provided, it is difficult to ensure that the load derived is for low load services such as basic lighting / ventilation, or larger load services such as heating, cooking etc. and directly affect the non-technical losses of every distribution utility.
While there has been a lot of emphasis on metering, the Power Distribution agencies will agree that the ROI on metering continues to be elusive for low load, low income group consumers due to the intensive resource allocations for meter procurement, installation, reading, billing and collection. Added concerns of meter tamper and pilferage directly affect the bottom line justifications for such investments.
On the other hand, Distributed Generation operations using Hydro, Solar, Wind, Biomass, Diesel generation having a limited source are forced to consider load limiting from a technical, operational as well as commercial standpoint.
Railways need to equip their customers with easy access to charging their electronic peripherals but simultaneously need to restrict the user from powering higher loads. A rugged, low cost device installed with each access point can suitably address this need.
Further, if one thinks independently, there are several use cases in utilities and industries across the board, where a control fuse can be permanently replaced with a load limiting device that self resets after normalcy is restored.
A standard fuse is obviously not an option. An MCB provides for reuse but manual operations are inevitable, with associated demands on manual intervention and possibilities of tamper, connivance and bypass. What is needed is a device that operates on significant overload and resets automatically within a reasonable time when the overload is disconnected thus providing a deterrence. The customer is guided to observe assigned load limits and progress systematically into a regular metered tariff connection.
Aartech offers industry rugged LoadChecker solutions to these issues with low rating (< 100W) load limiters at a very affordable cost which are field proven with 1000’s in service.
LoadChecker™ blocks the mains supply to the load if excessive current is drawn through it. However, in the event of blocking, its patented self-reset feature normalizes the supply to the load, once the load is disconnected for a minimum time. The entire operation does not require any manual effort or attention. The product uses soft blocking technology, thus ensuring very long life.
How Load Checker Operates:
LoadChecker™ normally permits up to 20% overload / creepage without blocking. On further overload, it operates as per its inverse-time characteristics. Thus, a higher load is blocked much faster, than a lower load above rated levels. Thus, temporary overloads such as those during motor starting are permissible, and do not pose any problems.
– Comparison of the LOAD CHECKER to AN ENERGY METER
Features | Energy Meter (100% Metering) | Load checker (100% Control) |
Purchase |
One Time High Cost |
One Time Low Cost |
Installation |
One Time Large Size Meter Box Reqd. Elaborate Sealing Process Installation at Customer Premises. Requires Additional Provisions such as Meter Box / MCB etc. |
One Time Very Small Size Can be Sealed for Life. Can be Installed at Pole-Top outside Consumer Premises Additional Provisions are not generally required. |
Reading / Recording |
Recurring Efforts Required Costs involved. Prone to Error |
Not Required for Fixed Tariff Connections |
Tampering | Susceptible to Tamper since installed at Consumer Premises |
Factory Sealed and Resin Moulded – No access to inner parts unless broken / damaged. For Pole-Top Installations Physical Access is not riskworthy |
Meter Billing | Requires Sophisticated Services | Simple, Efficient, Effective and Consumer Friendly. |
Demand Side Mgmt. | Not Usually Available, Provisions are costly in nature | Restricts Unwarranted Load Increase. |
Energy Efficiency | Cannot provide direct incentive for use of energy efficient devices | Encourages the use of energy efficient devices such as CFLs |
Reliability | High Component Count higher susceptibility to failure. | Very Good – Low Component Count |
Stability/ Accuracy |
Very Good – But not critically required for low power consumption consumers | Fair – Meets all practical requirements. |
Ratings | 5-20 A / 5-30A / 10-40A / 10-60A etc. Suitable for high as well as low power consumption levels. | 40W / 60W / 100W range. Suitable only for low power consumption levels. |
Modularity | Usually Single Meter installed in a separate meter box provides a single connection | A Single Load Limiter provides high (say 10) connections. |
Protection | None / External MCB extra | Short Circuit / Earthing Proof |
Dis – connection | None | Disconnection on overload with auto-reclose feature. Significant deterrent to servicing of unauthorized load |
Guarantee | 5-10 Years | Long Guarantee Period > 10 Years |