TMCnet News
CELLGUARD ELS+ Offers 24/7 Solution to Power Utilities for Mandatory Battery MonitoringAn innovative solution to critical power reliability and NERC (News - Alert) PRC-005 compliance is now available to power utilities with the release of Midtronics Stationary Power's CELLGUARD System ELS+ Electrolyte Level Monitoring System. The customer-driven product assures reliable 24/7 monitoring of VLA (Vented Lead-Acid) battery electrolyte levels and is easily integrated into a battery management system to comply with NERC mandated VLA battery maintenance. The ELS+ monitoring system is commonly used in reserve power applications for backup power in utilities, telecom and grid energy storage. Strict monitoring is essential for VLA batteries to ensure optimal performance and a long operating life. VLA batteries (also called flooded batteries) continuously deplete their electrolyte by outgassing hydrogen and oxygen. Distilled water must be added to the battery as part of its maintenance. The lead plates inside the battery must be fully immersed in electrolyte in order to operate at optimal level. Once gassing occurs and plates are exposed, they become inactive, reducing battery capacity. "The ELS+ is an innovative solution to the age-old issue of monitoring electroyte levels in flooded lead-acid batteries," said Todd Stukenberg, Vice President and General Manager of Midtronics Stationary Power Division. "It directly addresses a need with several of our customer markets, including the electric power market that now faces new requirements on infrastructure performance in a simple and cost-effective package." The CELLGUARD System ELS+ is simple to install, and is completely non-invasive to the battery. It saves time and money by eliminating the need for manual inspection. The ELS+ enhances safety by reducing the frequency of close contact with batteries and battery acid in additional to providing alarming when battery case temperatures reach abnormal levels. Other product features include:
The North American Electrical Reliability Corporation, NERC, ensures the reliability of the bulk power system. NERC Standard PRC-005 assesses the reliability of batteries used in the utility industry. Among other things, it requires that periodic maintenance be performed on VLA, VRLA, and NiCd batteries to remain compliant. Midtronics was founded in 1984 and has divisions focused on transportation and stationary battery solutions. It counts among its customers most global vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, telecommunications, and power generating companies. The company's worldwide employees - nearly a third of which are engineers -- work out of headquarters facilities in the U.S. (Willowbrook, IL), Netherlands (Houten), and China (Shenzen).
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101006394/en/ |
