Source: MESSTEC DRIVES AUTOMATION, ISSUE 8/2019, pg14-15
IGEL Electric introduces world’s first fully Draw-out softstarter system
IGEL Electric GmbH Germany is expanding its range of Medium Voltage Softstarter Systems by introducing the world’s first fully withdrawable SST System MV-CW in the voltage range of 3 – 6,6kV and 10 / 11kV. The new and advanced feature in this system is the Roll on Floor Trolley. The Trolley contains Line Fuses, Line contactor, Bypass contactor and the Softstarter Power Electronic. Michael Kleiboehmer, CEO of IGEL Electric, explains the advantages of the new MV-CW.
IGEL Electric is one of the top supplier in the field of controlled soft-starting for low and medium voltage motors. Last year, the Dortmund based company launched the 3 – 6,6kV system with the promise to extend the product line into the 10 / 11kV power range. “With the introduction and release to the market, we are now offering the full line up to cover the major applications”, says Kleiboehmer. The design and engineering philosophy was strictly following the guideline “Maintenance in Mind” and “Production First”. With the main components mounted on the Roll and Floor Trolley, the exchange of the Trolley will take less than 20 minutes and the system is ready for operation again. “The detailed failure analysis can then be made without any pressure from production”, says Kleiboehmer.
Moreover, exchanging the Trolley, which includes all major components of the electronic softstarter, does not require any special tools or instruments. There is just one single industrial grade plug connection where all control signals, electrical and fiber optic, as well as control power is exchanged between the Trolley and the Starter control electronic. The exchange does not require any new program changes in the control electronic, just connect and start again. “We are also proud that we could manage to integrate our well known and proven Power Electronic Design into the Trolley”, adds the IGEL-CEO. “This means our clients can continue to use existing spare parts, or can use new spare parts for existing units. This will help to keep the costs of ownership as low as possible, and service and maintenance does not require new and extensive training.”
Cool air for FIFA World Cup
The many advantages of the Draw-out softstarter system have convinced the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) in Morocco. ONEE is responsible for production, transmission and distribution of electricity and water, as well as the purification of wastewater, which is essential for the country’s sustainable development. Within MV-CW, ONEP uses a total of eight installed IGEL softstarters, using the latest technology, in order to ensure the water supply in the cities of Fès and Meknès. Each softstarter is responsible for starting the motor for a single water pump. As a matter of interest, the eight softstarters, each of which weights slightly more than 1.5 tons, were transported on a single mega-trailer – by truck and ferry- from the production site right across Europe, and then via Gibraltar to the ultimate destination at Fès respectively Meknès.
Further success for the Draw-out sofstarter system is for the Lusail West Phase 1 development in Qatar. With this installation IGEL Electric supplied ten 11kV, 140A Draw-out softstarter systems that will start the chiller applications for centralized air conditioning. “This installation will help to keep the visitors cool during the opening and final game of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium”, says Kleiboehmer.
Combining two innovations
In addition to this innovative design, IGEL Electric also introduced in 2018 their new advanced and scalable Multi-Motor Softstarter System, allowing multiple motors to be started with just one electronic softstarter. Providing a more cost effective solution compared to the typical “one Starter/one Motor” system. “This system design has been accepted very successful with more than 100 motor starter during the first year”, says Kleiboehmer.
“By combining the two innovations, we address the most common question and concern by our clients: What will happen in case of a starter failure, do I lose all of my motor starting capability and will therefore lose my production.”
Due to the design philosophy of being able to exchange the starter main components without shutting down the running motors and the build in selectivity, these concerns are fully addressed and the problem does not exist anymore. “Again this shows that we are listening to our clients when we go for innovations and that we are continuously addressing the problems in the industry”, explains the IGEL-CEO.
Being able to address the topics, IGEL Electric follows its slogan: “German Design, European Manufacturing, and Global Technologies => Welcome to our Network”. Therefore, IGEL Electric always mentions its main partner in development and execution, ELECTROTEL S.A. in Alexandria, Romania. “Their professionality, in-house manufacturing capabilities and mechanical design department played a major role in finalizing the design”, explains Kleiboehmer.
Industry 4.0 ready
But IGEL Electric never stops with innovation. “In 2019, we will roll out our new advanced control electronic for our medium voltage softstarter. Parallel to providing now a control electronic which is Industry 4.0 ready, we address the HMI interface, the ease and flexibility to provide the different communication interfaces around the industries, by providing the control system the ANY-BUS interface inside”, says Kleiboehmer. But the main innovations are in the innovative voltage and current measurement. Both measurements are converted to a fiber optic signal and transmitted by the same fiber optic link to the controller which is mounted in the LV compartment. This change is in strict compliance with IGEL’s commitment to provide full partial discharge tested softstarter Power Electronic.
A further element of the new control electronic is the available data logger function, allowing simple analysis of the status as well as remote service capability by Internet or GSM Networks. “But I guess more important for our clients is that the new control electronic is downwards compatible”, supposes Kleiboehmer. “Means that we can also upgrade existing starter systems and with this we are addressing our long term commitment to our clients and the industry. All of our Innovations are always following our strong commitment: Innovations with history in mind.”
Credit: wileyindustrynews.com
