The connection of residential and commercial users to the utility network is subject to national standard requirements. The Australian Standard requires adherence to a range of tolerance to ensure a reliable and secure power supply.
The effects of operation outside of the tolerance range can cause severe and damaging effects on the electricity network and disrupt all utility network users. This can have adverse impacts on:
- Operation of other equipment in the user’s installation.
- Operation of equipment in other users’ installations.
- Operation of the electricity supply network.
Where voltage and frequency values of the grid itself are out of range, the power generation unit shall be disconnected from the grid. This disconnection is usually carried out by an Interface Device (ID) that trips after receiving an opening command sent by an external Interface Protection System (IPS).
Moreover, with Ekip UP, users can utilise the same functionalities even if various circuit breakers – either by ABB or by other manufacturers are installed in their system. Several interface protections have been implemented into the Ekip G Hi-Touch trip unit installed on board low-voltage circuit breakers and built-in inside Ekip UP Protect+ or Ekip UP Control+ digital units. Today, the embedded IPS is suitable for connecting active users as specified by Australian Standards.
The benefits of the embedded functions integrated into a single device see the reduction in the number of components installed with consequent space saving inside the switchboard.