Technical Description of the EPSS Test Solution

Technical Description of the EPSS Test Solution

Our offer provides an automated system for EPSS testing based on monitoring and controlling the various elements of the EPSS system. By collecting data from and providing control over various points in the EPSS system (including on the generators and their associated automatic transfer switches), the entire system can be simplified while providing more reliable reports to demonstrate compliance to standards.

Components of the solution:

The EPSS Test System has one main component:

ION Enterprise EPSS module: This module monitors the EPSS system through metering and I/O devices placed on the generators and the automatic transfer switches, while providing secondary control of the EPSS testing scheme. It records waveforms of critical equipment and generates reports that can be emailed to the facility manager. It records generator engine parameters, as well as electrical parameters from both the generators and ATSs. It records engine start times, as well as ATS transfer times. After the completion of the test, a report can be generated which details the test results in both tabular and graphical format. The diagram below shows a typical system installed.

The EPSS test is initiated by simulation of loss of primary power source, either by using the automatic transfer switch’s Test Position switch, or by opening a normal power breaker. The EPSS Test System recognizes the start of a test by monitoring the input contacts. It then records date/time of all events in the entire EPSS sequence. Hierarchical screens within the system show the status of the EPSS system at a glance and identify who is affected. Facilities personnel can load the generators and return the system to normal function either manually or through the system’s graphical interface. The system also collects and accepts user entry of observations and engine information, such as oil pressure & battery charging rates, so that all details are available in a single location.

The test reports can be used for performance benchmarking, as they illustrate compliance of transfer and generator run at proper loading for an appropriate amount of time (for example, 30 minutes in the U.S.) to help prevent wet stacking of the generator exhaust system. The reports include operator name, test time & date, generator crank time, ATS transfer times, electrical measurements from the generators (including AC voltage, frequency, amperage and power), engine parameters (including oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, etc.), generator run time, cool-down time, and end-of-test time. Because the ATSs are also monitored, the system provides real-time monitoring and logging of transfer switch positions with time and date stampsto millisecond accuracy. As well, by metering the ATS loads, the system can provide useful data for capacity planning and monitoring; an optional waveform capture feature can help to verify that transfer switching is not causing unusual voltage disturbances in the hospital’s electrical distribution network.

Levels of the solution:

These components are combined to create three different levels of the Emergency Power System Testing Solution:

• Essential (Level 1)
• Enhanced (Level 2)
• Comprehensive (Level 3)

The feature sets of each of these solution levels are outlined below.

Level 1 – Essential:

The Essential level solution (Level 1) includes the following features:

• Provides ATS status (time/date stamp) through an ION7550or ION7550 RTU device.
• Meters the generator main, providing genset monitoring / logging / trending data. Can also provide monitoring, logging and trending data for generator engines, depending on the type of controller and communications available on genset. Generator engine data can also be enteredmanually.
• Offers pre-configured EPSS test reports with Pass/Fail EPSS test indication and web-based graphical screens for remote test monitoring.
• Remote EPSS Test Start Option may be selected if remote contacts are available on ATS.
• Provides power monitoring features including real-time data in tables or charts, event data capture and alarms, basic power quality analysis on generator data, analysis of sag/swell disturbances on generator and ATS data, and utility service metering.

Level 2 – Enhanced:

The Enhanced level solution (Level 2) includes the features of the Essential level solution (Level 1), plus:

• Provides additional metering, logging and trending data for the ATSs, through a number of possible metering devices, including ION7650/7550, PM850/870, and ION7330/7350 meters.
• Provides advanced power quality analysis on generator data.
• Provides basic power quality analysis for ATSs with PM870 or ION7350 devices.
• Offers optional event-based paging to notify staff when defined events occur.

Level 3 – Comprehensive:

The Comprehensive level solution (Level 3) includes the features of the Enhanced level solution (Level 2), plus:

• Offers full supervisory testing control, which must be specified with proper operating procedures
• Can provide advanced power quality analysis for ATSs with ION7650 device.
• Can provide transient capture on generators with ION7650 device.
• Can provide breaker status monitoring via Modbus interface or wiring to auxiliary breaker status contacts, enabling animation of breaker symbols in ION Enterprise Vista diagrams, as well as the display of other information available from the breakers.