Automatic Control Panel
The "Guard Evolution" is supplied in a panel which is mounted on the generating set and equipped with:
- The electronic "Guard Evolution automatic" device
- 3 or 4 pole magneto-thermal switch, access to the cables is through the bottom on terminals or bars.
- The panel is made from sheet steel and has two distinct compartments.
The Guard Evolution device, ignition key, emergency stop button and optional earth fault relay device are found in the top compartment. The panel is equipped with a key lock and has a protection grade of IP54 . In the bottom compartment, which is segregated by a front panel, the following elements are found:
The amperometric transforms, magneto-thermal switch with terminals or bars for connection to the power cables, terminal for ground and any extra terminals for connection to auxiliary functions (optional) ex terminal to feed engine pre-heater or terminals for ATS command, etc. The protection grade on the open panel is IP2X and the protection on the closed panel is IP30, due to the exposed circuit breaker.
Operation
The Guard Evolution Auto device allows the simple management of a generating set, by determining, according to a pre-set cycle, the start of the generating set when the Mains fails (3 phase voltage control, see alarms section), feeding the User system and shutting off the generating set when normal conditions return, all without the intervention of a technician.
The Guard Evolution Auto device is realized specifically for the command, control and protection of the generating set used in the automatic mode. The device's innovation, with microprocessor technology, has three fundamental aspects:
The clear communication with the operator,
Its ability to automatically analyse the events that cause an alarm/block in the generating set
The complete electrical parameters and measurements that the device shows.
The automatic version of the Guard Evolution device includes the integration of hardware from the manual version (a characteristic sought after from the start of the project) that allows and foresees further developments while maintaining the product up to date.
Communication
The large display screen is used to show the generating set's electrical parameters, mains electrical parameters, engine parameters, instruction for use and written alarm and warning messages. These messages help the operator diagnose the problem/ fault and aid in finding the proper solution. The alarm and warning messages are visibly and audibly pointed out to the operator.
Analysis Capacity
The integration of the engine and alternator protections in a single microprocessor device allows the analysis and simultaneous comparison of various parameters determining with maximum precision the exact cause that generated the protection to intervene. This operating is not possible with traditional equipment due to the high processing capacity required. The Guard Evolution device is equipped with a RS485 serial port necessary for connection to a personal computer. Through a converter and special software, the device allows the remote use of the generating set in all its functions.
Microprocessor: Microchip 16mhz
Display: Liquid Crystal 240 x 64 pixel - 320 Characters
Operating Temperature: -20° + 70° C (21.6 - 183.6° F)
Stand-By Consumption: 70 Ma Typical
Measurements
These are viewed on three pages that allow all the important information to be seen simultaneously.
- Alternator voltage on all 3 phases (Phase-phase and phase-neutral)
- Frequency
- Current on all 3 phases
- Active Power (kW) per phase ?
- Apparent power (kVA) per phase and ?
- Reactive apparent power (kVA) per phase and ?
- Energy (kWh) per phase and ?
- Power Factor per phase and the average
- Mains Voltage phase/phase
- Mains frequency
- Date / Time ?
- Fuel Level (in %) ?
- Engine speed indicator (rpm)
- Operating hour counter
- Maintenance countdown (selectable)
- Engine Temperature
- Engine oil pressure
- Engine oil pressure?
- Battery voltage
- Alternator battery charger pick-up voltage
- Number of starts counter
- Generator voltage. Phase/phase
- Generator frequency
- Management of automatic refueling system?
- Black box (memory capacity of the last 4000 events) ?
? Functions that require sensors / hardware or settings supplied as optional, activated upon request.
Is is also possible to activate other measurements on request for e.g: Exhaust temperature, oil temperature, ambient temperature depending on the generating set model.
Alarms and Protections
In case of fault or malfunction the generating set shows all the unit's parameters at the moment of shut down as well as the obvious alarm (ex. Engine temperature, voltage value etc).
- FUEL RESERVE ?
- MISSED START
- MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
- MISSED ENGINE STOP
- SYSTEM BLOCKED, ENGINE STOP ACTIVATED
- MECHANICAL ARREST / ENGINE FAULT
- ENGINE OVERSPEED / OVERFREQUENCY
- ALTERNATOR NOT ENEGIZED
- ENGINE UNDER SPEED / UNDER FREQUENCY
- ISOLATED D+ WIRE
- HIGH ENGINE TEMPRATURE
- LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
- LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
- HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE
- HIGH ENGINE OIL TEMPRATURE?
- LOW OIL LEVEL ?
- EMERGENCY STOP
- LOW WATER LEVEL
- ELECTRO VENTILATOR BLOCK ^
- ISOLATED LOW OIL PRESSURE WIRE / SENSOR
- GENERAL SYSTEM ERROR
- HIGH GENERATING SET VOLTAGE / OVERVOLTAGE
- LOW GENERATING SET VOLTAGE / UNDERVOLTAGE
- GENERATOR VOLTAGE ASYMMETRY
- MAXIMUM GENERATOR CURRENT (OVERLOAD) ?
- HIGH ALTERNATOR TEMPERATURE ?
- CORRUPT MEMORY
- HIGH MAINS VOLTAGE / OVERVOLTAGE
- LOW MAINS VOLTAGE / UNDERVOLTAGE
- FUNCTION MODE "NOT IN AUTOMATIC" ?
- MAINS VOLTAGE ASYMMETRY / MISSED PHASE
- AUTOMATIC CARD FAULT
^ ONLY FOR GENERATING SETS WITH ELECTRORADIATOR
? Functions require sensors / hardware or settings supplied as optional, activated on request.
Depending on the fault, the generating set protections intervene with a signal or the shutdown of the unit, with the possibility of a remote signal through a volt-free contact. This function can be configured on request. The device also has free inputs that can be used for the other functions upon request, for e.g: pre-alarm threshold.
Device Functions
It is possible to select the function mode directly from the keyboard.
Block - System active, but automatic and manual genset functions are disabled.
Manual - System allows the Operator to start/stop the genset and to effect the Mains/Genset changeover and vice versa.
Automatic - System executes the automatic start or stop of the genset according to the set cycle
Test - System allows the Operator to execute the genset test and start-up, independently from the automatic test.
From the keyboard, and with a password, it is possible to modify the Mains threshold and time parameters. The key ones are listed below:
- Mains voltage delay
- LCD contract regulation
- Mains / genset voltage intervention threshold
- Programmable automatic test (day/week/month)
- Engine cooling time
- Time and length of automatic test
- Maintenance interval
- Select test with or without load
Other standard functions:
- Automatic test can be activated at any time. It can be programmed to start on precise day and time for the duration of your choice, with daily, weekly or monthly consistency. The test can be done with or without load.
- Selected Language for communication (English, Italian, French, German, Spanish and others upon request).
- Stop active function (This allows the engine feeding system or engine control system to be fed while the engine is off)
- Crank engine speed function (allows the engine to turn with the starting motor without actually having to start is up)
- Access to the User menu via password to modify parameters, ex. Contrast display, languages etc.
- Maintenance Request with countdown (maintenance can be programmed with countdown)
- LED signaling of the status of: genset operating normally, genset pre-alarm, genset in alarm/block
- Display function mode selected (ex.block - manual - automatic - test)
- Acoustic alarm incorporated (is activated to signal an alarm or to pre-announce a function)
- Cumulative general alarm contact for remote pre-alarm or fault signal
- PC communication with RS485 serial port (via a converter and optional software)
- Memorisation of the genets history (the last 15 alarms) the device memorises the cause of the alarm and the parameter values on page 1; the data can be accessed with a password via keyboard , the memory is not volatile.
- Date - year, month, day, hour, minute with autonomous feed incorporated (lasts about 10 years)
- Programmable analogical and digital outputs on request, these must be requested at the moment the order is made, as one can exclude another.
Outputs and remote alarms
Output relative to the command of the Mains/Generating set changeover:
01 Mains Contact N.C. 5A 250V:
01 Genset Contact N.A. 5A 250V:
General Alarm fault:
The device is equipped with the following cumulative signal, supplied as a clean contact (max load 5A 250V. N.C. in alarm)
RS 485 serial port (via a converter with RS232 port and software):
It is possible to effect the supervision if the communication of all the alarms and pre-alarms and its virtual memorization in the archives happen in real time (the last 15 alarms or 4000 events with the black box). In case of fault or malfunction, the generating set shows all the alarms and parameters at the moment that it shut off (ex Engine temperature, voltage value, etc).
Battery charger for generating sets with 12V engines:
By keeping the battery charger separate from the electronic card, a controlled charge is assured maintaining excellent efficiency. The batter charger power is 2.5A at 12 Volt.
Battery charger for generating sets with 24V engines:
By keeping the battery charger separate from the electronic card, a controlled charge is assured maintaining excellent efficiency. The batter charger power is 3.0A at 24 Volt. (the battery charger is 5.0A at 24V when the gensets batteries are 220Ah or larger).
Battery chargers with increased power can be supplied upon request.
OPTIONAL:
Remote Start: From a remote command via a potential zero contact; it can be requested in the following ways:
CRS - 2 contacts available; the first keeps the generating set in block mode, regardless if the mains is present or not and the second starts up the genset (for ex. Allows the genset to be put in Block mode during certain time slots).
CSC - 2 contacts available; the first allows the generating set to be started, regardless if the mains present or not and the second contact executes the changeover between the Mains and genset, (for ex. Allows the genset to be used during certain time slots, excluding the Mains).
Supervision Software:
Via a converter with RS232 serial port and appropriate software it is possible to connect a PC to the generating set and carry out all the necessary operations besides supervising the parameters, alarms and pre-alarms. Access to the history archive (last 15 alarms or 4000 events with the Black Box), can be had in real time.
In case of a fault or malfunction the generating set shows, besides the obvious alarms, all the parameters at the moment the unit shut down(ex. Engine temperature, voltage value etc).
It is possible to connect up to 32 generating sets with the limit of viewing 4 units simultaneously (the multi genset connection requires accessories not included to be installed on the mains).
Black Box Function: Visible only through the optional convertor and software: allows over 4000 events to be visualized, the events are: change of status. E.g: from manual to automatic, pre-alarms and alarms. It indicates the year, month, day, hour, minute and second in which the event took place as well as the parameter value which generated the block. In the case of pre-alarms, how long it lasted is also registered. The software allows statistics to be carried out, distinguished by event. E.g Analyse how many start up attempts the genset has made, how many were successful, how many failed etc. The statistics can be personalized.