Power System Architecture for Industrial Applications
Knowledge of power system architecture for industrial applications is necessary in understanding the reputation, reliability, efficiency, and safety of an industrial operation.
Industrial power systems are complex arrangements for supplying, controlling and protecting a network/power supply.. It is the case that these may become vital, providing power to critical processes and if unfortunately failing, it may be the cause of serious issues.
Read more about power system architecture and the parts of a system with both examples of application of silicon carbide devices, and also other electrical power devices as well!
Key Components
A power system is an arrangement of interconnected parts.
Transformers for stepping up or down voltages so as to suit an operating profile. These will be of a high-operational efficiency and any benefit improves energy distribution and reduces losses.
Switchgear Circuit breaker/contactor/disconnector, protecting the circuit and isolating live working safely.
Electrical protection devices. Fuses for example protecting effectively from overload, surge protection devices and even internal surge protection electronic devices themselves and types of SiC based power semiconductors.
Distribution panels Routeing and monitoring and control of power delivered to machines.
Power cables/bus bars for safely carrying current to/from components and other items through the system whereby all parts connect.
Selection from the wide variety of types suitable for each application depending on system voltage/current and profiles for operation are necessary. Using high-quality materials such as SiC semiconductor anywhere in a critical protection device is certainly going to assist improving efficient and reliable operation for sure.Industrial power system topologies. Where does SiC fit into the area? Possible failure modes.Industrial systems distribution topologies
Typically most small scale industrial plants (like sewage or water treatment facilities) are fed in a simple single line distribution scheme. As plants get larger and bigger, for example ones aimed closely at power generation, more redundancy is required as such plants must stay online carrying main loads whenever possible with outage only for maintenance. A loop arrangement enables power to be routed from that location if failure occurs somewhere in a loop so if DC is supplied say from a battery storage system or a PV plant for example then the generators can be power fed from another feeder – and adjustments can also be made there to keep shut down as short as possible. Many other larger plants also, though they are of a radial layout with the circuits branching from a main supply feeding them. Such a layout allows for much easier identification of where failure even occurs, even if a redundancy has not been built in.
SiC in the industrial area
SiC MOSFETs and SBDs are becoming more and more commonplace in the industrial area – it may prove difficult to keep track of all the various applications. They are devices which simply outperform traditional devices in so many applications from renewable inverters to electric vehicles. In fact one of the areas where they should be welcome is in the semiconductor factory use since it can be hard enough in such environments without the worry of walls going up in smoke!For thermal management in high temperature environments that not common the electronics operating environment, just high voltage capabilities and a much greater thermal conductivity make SiC easier to integrate into that environment. SiC not only has lower switching losses, it also lends itself to smaller sized power modules for compact design in an industry where space is a premium. Practical applications include everything from industrial inverters to photovoltaic systems, and electric cars to the harshest environments to be found in the manufacture of steel and other materials!
Essential protection and safety features in industrial power systems
Protection of the power systems powering these plants is no less important needing than the people who designed and built them. Just as the things industry protects its power systems from also ought to be protected from power systems, planting criteria may be as simple as “if you live by the plant, you die by the plant.” In addition to sensible design of the transformer and other shutoff equipment mentioned above, fuses versus circuit breakers is a topic demanding careful consideration. Where fuses are preferred for quickly disconnected over currents, then why not use them, and where is a good idea to put them?Shutting down the power plant when trouble is found to execute that at a fusing point tied to a circuit breaker puts the whole power loop out for the team who will wait till they have extinguished any likely fires. If conventional fuses will work extra hard against spiking due to switching plus lightning, then those additional protective steps should also be taken. Protection should also include ensuring that proper switch gears are even in place (as you can see, we can’t stress this enough!).
Other ways to avoid trouble include good monitoring and control of the system. Smart relays or relay combos prevent any out of control situation from happening since they’re too busy watching out for it and connected to the smartphone. And they protect against stress faults and pulldowns, or at least they can. A high accuracy SiC device does a fantastic job of keeping up with all that of course, plus things in general. Proper application, inspection, and best of breed fuses and transistors, and other protection devices and no plant wishing to stay in business should be having major problems. Virtually any fault in an industrial power system should be a snap with a silicon carbide evaluation board.
Common faults in industrial power systems
As with the other industrial applications for which electricity is used, fuses also protected industrial power system transformers from arcing and over current if being switched off. More than just app or layout for changing switches, this eases the shock hazard and avoids the burnout for ease of maintenence. Standard fuses, of course, do this if laid out for the install. Other common hazards include voltage drops and surges, even shorted lines, which is nothing compared to just getting struck by lightning. As plants have a varying degree of ready access to advanced materials such as SiC, regular inspections keep things on track.