The Photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system was designed to monitor the performance of the PV panels’ output versus the temperature on the PV panel. There were two different types of PV panels used for monitoring, namely the mono-crystalline and amorphous silicone (Thin Film). The data that was collected were the DC output and the temperature on the PV panels.
With the ongoing technological advances, the demand for a cheaper and better way of manufacturing electronic devices is a perpetual challenge.
The PCB industry, the backbone of electronic device manufacturing, certainly feels the heat of this constant demand.
While devices, and their corresponding PCBs are getting ever more compact, it also results in the need to fit an increasing number of functions into as small a space as possible. This coupled with the demand for lower manufacturing costs presents a daunting challenge.
This is where Phoenix Contact’s new SDC 2,5 SKEDD PCB connectors come into its own.
A reliable, intelligent and powerful “heart”
In the course of my work, I deal with Power Supply which is the heart of the whole electrical operation. While not all operations are the same, they cannot function without electricity, which is what makes Power Supply units indispensable.
The new Phoenix Contact’s Quint 4th Generation Power Supplies feature an integrated NFC interface for parameterization via mobile devices or PCs. This allows the commissioning engineer to closely match signaling thresholds and characteristic curves to the plant’s requirements. More than 40 parameters can be configured on an individual basis. Once the power supply has been parameterized, it is a simple task to transfer the settings to other devices via the app or other software, which will save effort and time for the user. Moreover, the front-panel buttons for adjusting the output voltage, as well as all other configured parameters, can be protected with a password to prevent unauthorized access and tampering.
The power supply offers preventive function monitoring to allow the plant operator to run remote diagnostics on the unit to optimize plant availability. The power supply permanently monitors the output voltage and current. Critical situations are visualized using front-panel LEDs, floating relay contacts, and active signal outputs; the monitoring data is signaled to the control system before a fault actually occurs.
When the power supply unit is supplying more than the specified rated current, it is operating in boost mode. The power supply and the connected loads continue to operate normally, and the output voltage remains at 24 V DC. Preventive signaling allows early detection before a fault like this actually occurs. For instance, once a motor with a mechanical problem has been identified, it can be repaired before other loads are subjected to voltage dips.
Such preventive capabilities of our power supply units work just like how we manage our heart health to ensure we can function smoothly in our everyday operations. It is thus pivotal to ensure that we have a reliable and intelligent “heart” in the form of our trusted power supply units for our businesses.
Lightning is a natural and unavoidable event which not only risks the lives of livestock but also affects low-voltage systems (power systems as well as signal/communication systems) through several mechanisms. The obvious interaction is a flash to the power system, but other coupling mechanisms can also produce over-voltages.
Singapore is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of lightning strikes. Situated close to the Equator, the warm and humid tropical conditions are highly favourable for the development of thunderstorms which produce lightning. “On average, Singapore experiences 168 thunderstorm days per year. This refers to the number of days in which thunder is heard over Singapore, and gives an indication of lightning activity (as thunderstorms are associated with lightning)”, National Environment Agency, NEA.
A lightning rod or a mesh-shaped external lightning protection system cannot provide complete protection against direct lightning strikes. This means it is only possible to state the probability that a lightning will be trapped. The probability that a lightning will strike in the area protected by a lightning rod can be calculated in relation to the lightning protection level selected.
The need for protection, the economic benefits of installing protection measures and the selection of adequate protection measures should be determined in terms of risk management which is part of the subjects of the Singapore Standard SS555 (Code of practice for protection against Lightning). The criteria for design, installation and maintenance of lightning protection measures are also considered in SS555. Since the IEC 62305 standard is a normative reference in the SS555, an updated version of SS555 is soon to be reviewed and published due to the revised version of the IEC 62305 standard.
Phoenix Contact is pleased to present you the 3-day “SS 555 + IEC 62305:2013 SER Lightning Protection Updates” Seminar. This seminar aims to provide the participants with insight updates to the SS 555 Lightning Protection Standard, a clear understanding of the effects of lightning and what can or cannot be done to alleviate its effects. The various methods available for lightning protection of building structures will be described and some case study examples will be presented to illustrate their effectiveness or otherwise.
Click here to find out more and sign up for the seminar
Cybersecurity for Industrial Processes
Cybersecurity has become an increasingly prevalent subject in the last decades. While the focus has been largely on IT infrastructure and online safety, more attention has now been placed on Cybersecurity for industrial processes such as factory automation, water/wastewater plants, power generation and power T&D. This can be attributed to the increased awareness that cybersecurity required for IT is very different from cybersecurity efforts needed for industrial processes.
The main difference is the priority for these two information infrastructure. In IT, it is possible to focus heavily on cybersecurity, such that emails, applications, documents can be blocked with minimal impact on a companies’ P&L. On the other hand, downtime can result if files are stopped from being passed from one device to the other for Industrial processes. Downtime for Industrial processes is very costly as one can observe below.
The are explicit costs due to downtime. In the case of concerted attack on Nuclear Power Plans (stuxnet incident) or Power T&D systems (recent Ukraine cyberattack, causing mass blackout affecting at least 200,000 citizens), prolong system downtime can lead to life being lost, severe inconveniences amongst other non-monetary, immeasurable outcomes.
With such different requirements, it is then common sense that plant owners should look beyond IT cybersecurity devices for protection of industrial processes. While firewalls, VPNs, VLans, subnet etc. works for both IT and Industrial processes; IDS/IPS (Intrusion detection system/Intrusion protection system) is not ideal for Industrial processes because they are actively monitoring the data passing through. This not only slows down data transfer and cause delays (again, not damaging in IT network) but often results in false alarms: There can be unusual data passing through which might not be malicious but are essential to operations. IPS/IDS will stop these data and can potentially lead to down time.
In particular, IPS/IDS are used to protect against zero-day attacks/advanced persistent threats where an external party remains in contact with malicious code after they infiltrate systems. These external parties then manipulate these codes further to target specific loopholes. As such, anti-virus cannot detect these codes (no known signature) and firewalls/VPNs are bypassed.
At Phoenix Contact, we recommend MGuard with CIFS Integrity Monitoring that is tailored for Industrial Processes Protection against Zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threats:
Discover Malware on Day Zero: Integrity Monitoring
Due to the general problems with the deployment of antivirus software on industrial PCs and the timely provision of malware signatures, alternative techniques of integrity assurance are gaining relevance for the protection of industrial systems.
One solution is the CIFS Integrity Monitoring feature offered on Phoenix Contact’s FL mGuard security devices. CIFS, or Common Internet File System, is a file-sharing protocol used by Windows and other operating systems. Viewing files on network file servers and using shared network drives are common activities that utilize CIFS. With Integrity Monitoring, the user can monitor configurable sets of files for unexpected modifications of executable code. When initialized, Integrity Monitoring computes a baseline of signatures for all monitored objects and then periodically checks them for any deviations. This process works without any external supply of virus signatures, without the risk of disrupting operations through “false positives,” without installation of software, and with only a moderate load on the monitored PCs, while primarily utilizing the resources of an mGuard security appliance. The mGuard thus discovers suspect file modifications promptly, and reports them via SNMP and e-mail to network
management systems or responsible administrators.
In a test study performed at the University of Ostwestfalen-Lippe in Lemgo, Germany, researchers from the independent inIT institute for industrial IT (www.hs-owl.de/init/en/) have been able to verify that mGuard CIFS Integrity Monitoring would have recognized infections with Stuxnet on day zero as unexpected manipulations and warned asset operators against it long before any antivirus product. The device drivers installed by Stuxnet, as well as the modifications performed by the worm on the pivotal SIMATIC Manager DLL,
would have been discovered in the process.
Some other features that makes mGuard ideal:
To find out more about how mGuard can help to secure your industrial systems:
Click here to download a white paper on Post-stuxnet Industrial Security
or contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg for a demo on MGuard configuration.
Scientec designs and manufactures precise and cost effective PC-based control product providing both software and hardware solutions. Its PC-based products which are configured in CANopen communication protocol have been used in many applications covering a wide range of industries. One of the notable projects is the Crane Control System, which is widely used in shipyard, marine and construction industry.
This year, we will be leading a delegation of our esteemed customers from the Southeast Asia region to the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology in Germany – Hannover Messe 2016 will be held from 25th – 29th April 2016. The fair is expected to attract more than 220,000 attendees from more than 100 countries and more than 5,000 exhibitors, including the largest contingent of U.S. manufacturers ever at Hannover.
Under the theme “Solutions for the Future”, Phoenix Contact will be presenting innovation products and solutions based on the ’Industrie 4.0’ approach.
Visit our Phoenix Contact main exhibition stand in Hall 9, Stand F40 and discuss with our experts on a wide range of products, systems, and solutions that we have to offer to meet your application requirements. We are not just situated in Hall 9; we have our presence at many other halls as listed below.
Download the map of our main exhibition stand in Hall 9 here.
See you at Hannover Messe 2016!
If you are not able to join us at Hannover… stay tuned for more updates upon our return from Germany.
Click here to find out more about our products to be featured at Hannover Messe 2016.
Using Life’s Little Transitions to Achieve Balance and Happiness
For the longest time, stress management and work life balance have been the hottest topics especially in the past few decades. The term ‘work-life balance’ was first used in the UK in late 1970s. Since then, there have been a lot of researches done on the effect of work stress and importance of work-life balance. In today’s society, it is common that as one progresses into his or her career, this balancing act seems more and more like a dream. For instance, according to a survey by JobStreet.com, 9 out of 10 Singapore employees work beyond their official hours. It is no surprise that work-life balance becomes the top of every working person list when come to what they are looking for in a job.
Why IEC61850?
Imagine having hundreds of manufacturing plants scattered across the country, all with their own brands of devices communicating in a wide spectrum of protocols. Now imagine that in order for these plants to function efficiently and effectively, there is a need for these plants to communicate with each other BUT the protocols are not interoperable; the devices are not meant to communicate with each other natively.
Replace these manufacturing plants with substations and you have an idea what is happening throughout the world with regards to power transmission and distribution. In order to maintain power quality and reliability, substations need to communicate with each other. However, with the many protocols, much engineering work is required.
Furthermore, with renewable energies and micro-grids introducing a different set of manufacturers, protocols and electricity capable of disturbing the stability of grid-supplied electricity (e.g. frequency of power supplied) and the increased emphasis on renewable energy in the energy mix of countries around the world, a pressing need for a common protocol results. This need manifested itself into IEC61850, a common protocol that facilitates interoperability and communications among “Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED)” in substations, which will be essential for developments of smart grid or Virtual Heat and Power plants (VHP).
The advantage of IEC61850 does not end there though! Other advantages include:
At Phoenix Contact, our portfolio of IEC61850 industrial communication products include:
Network switches (Ethernet, Fibre)
Parallel Redundancy Module
Fibre Patch Panels
Fibre Splicing tools
Fibre and Ethernet Connectors
IEC61850 IEDs:
IEC61850 Bus couplers
Others:
Power supplies
DC-DC Converter
Markings
Terminal blocks
To find out more,
Click here to download our IEC 61850 Products brochure or contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg for a demo on IEC61850 configuration.
Wireless technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Intermittent, unstable and slow wireless connections are gradually becoming a thing of the past. At the same time, wireless technology brings about tremendous convenience to everyone, reducing clutter caused by messy wires and making hard to reach places reachable. Continue reading