High-performance power solutions

Lovato Electric is a global market leader in the design and manufacture of low voltage electrical components. Owned and managed by the descendants of the same family that founded the company almost 100 years ago, its entrepreneurial spirit and unswerving commitment to innovation continues to enhance and underscore its dominant position in the global marketplace, as Philip Yorke reports.

Lovato Electric was founded in Bergamo, Italy in 1922 and has since grown to become recognised as one of the world’s most innovative electronics companies in its field. It was one of the first Italian businesses to achieve the coveted ISO 9001 certification in 1992 and today boasts a product portfolio of more than 10,000 state-of-the-art products. These include motor protection circuit breakers, contactors, switch disconnectors, digital multi-meters, AC Motor drives, automatic power factor controllers and generator controllers.

Today the company is present in over 100 countries worldwide and continues to maintain its global expansion programme through an on-going commitment to innovation, sustainable products and eco-friendly production processes. Pioneering power solutions

In Abu Dhabi, UAE, the world’s largest indoor Ferrari theme park has been created on Yas Island and is furnished with over 20 major attractions. NP Power Solutions of the UK is a long-term customer of Lovato Electric, which provides it with advanced power factor corrector equipment, as well as manufacturing components, services, repairs and modifications as determined by each individual NP Power project.

For this particular project, Lovato supplied NP Power Solutions with the components necessary to manufacture 2pcs 800kVAr detuned dynamically switched PFC units, each composed of 16 steps of 50kVAr and ipc 700kVAr Dynamically Switched PFC units

composed of 50kVAr. All necessary components were manufactured and subsequently installed in the Ferarri-World Theme Park by Lovato to provide Dynamic PFC compensation for its large rollercoaster attraction installed in the extensive Ferrari theme park.

For this prestige project, Lovato Electric solutions were considered to be the optimal choice thanks to the pioneering master-slave function in its DCRG8 power factor controllers. This equipment is superior to traditional systems because when the power factor control system is divided into more than one panel, as in this application, the master-slave function performs the integrated connection throughout all of the DCRG8 controllers installed.

optimising built-in multi-meter systems

One of the world’s leading insurance groups and financial service providers, the Allianz Group of Switzerland, recently constructed a new skyscraper building in Istanbul to accommodate its new regional headquarters. This futuristic, landmark building is equipped with advanced automation systems that are controlled from its headquarters in order to efficiently monitor and manage all its HVAC, lighting and CCTV etc.

In order to monitor energy consumption throughout the building and the common services across its many floors, the building was equipped with Lovato’s 86pcs DMG110 modular multi-meters. The company is also providing RS485 communication ports and 46pcs DMG6700 flush-mounted multi-meters, each furnished in turn with EXP1012 RS485 communication ports.

Electrical values in the building are monitored remotely via its own Scada system. However, today, thanks to the installation of advanced Lovato multi-meters, the Allianz Group is able to monitor the building’s energy consumption and to generate monthly and yearly power consumption outcomes for its management control system purposes.

Getting to grips with robotics

In Indonesia, Gajah Tunggal Tbk. is the largest manufacturer and distributor of tyres for passenger cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, as well as for off-road vehicles, industrial vehicles and motorcycles. In addition, the company also manufactures and distributes other rubber related products such as synthetic rubber, tyre cords, inner tubes, flaps and O-rings.

Recently Gajah Tunggal built a brand new manufacturing facility in Tangerang Banton, west of Java, which is equipped with the latest robotic machines for complex welding applications. Lovato’s Indonesian distributor, PT Maxindo, has been directly involved with the project from the outset, for the supply of key components used in the manufacture of 7 dynamic switching capacitor banks, including 6pcs capacitor banks 3080kVAR at 525V, and 1pc capacitor bank 2400kVar at 525V. These capacitor banks have been configured to take advantage of the master-slave functionality of DCRG8: for 6 banks of 3080kVar each. The extensive installation was performed with 1 master DCRG8 and 2 slaves, as well as a DCRG8 controller that is able to communicate with all others via an RS485 facility.

In such a configuration, it has been possible to control the total power of 3080kVar on each bank. In addition, each master controller of each capacitor bank has also been equipped with an EXP1013 ethernet expansion module in order to allow remote control and monitoring of the entire installation, using the existing Ethernet network installed in the facility.

enhancing Polish power systems

Recently Lovato Electric power factor controllers and thyristor modules were installed at a major Gestamp manufacturing facility in Poland. Gestamp is an international group specialising in the design, development and manufacture of metal components for the automotive industry. The new electrical system is comprised of two power correction panels, with each being equipped with DCRG8 controllers in Master/Slave configuration and relevant thyristor modules utilised for efficient dynamic compensation.

The whole modern system is remotely supervised by the facility’s managing controller and communication is based upon its existing Ethernet connection via EXP1303 expansion module.

There are countless other examples of how Lovato Electric has increased manufacturing productivity, reduced power consumption and reduced its CO2 footprint worldwide. n

For further details of Lovato Electric’s products and services visit: www.lovatoelectric.comm