Tag Archive for: Conformity reports

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Electrical data security

Data center data security reliability depends on many different factors. For example, from the energy supply and operational reliability of the power supply. This is what we refer to in this blog as electrical data security. Electrical data security conditions must be constantly monitored to achieve Tier 1 – 4 levels. It is advisable for you to monitor parameters of power quality, energy and fault current detection as well as cyber security together.

Figure 1: https://www.hpe.com/ch/de/what-is/data-center-tiers.html (31.1.2020); Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG (own design)

Electrical data security and the problem

Various studies have shown that poor network quality causes costs. These run into the billions every year. As early as 2007, the Pan-European LPQI Power Quality Survey estimated that the damage amounts to the equivalent of $150 billion annually. In the meantime, the challenges this poses for everyone have steadily increased. And that’s especially true for data centers.

The basic requirements for a data center

There are many requirements to consider when planning the power supply for a data center:

  • Secure location in terms of energy supply and environmental conditions
  • High energy efficiency to minimize operating costs
  • Maximum availability due to redundancies (UPS, generators)
  • High security (fire protection, access, defense against cyberattacks)
  • System stability and reliability of the devices used
  • Possibility for later expansion
  • Compatibility with the standard e.g. according to DIN EN 50600,etc.
  • etc.

Possible solutions for electrical data security

1. investment protection through good power quality (PQ)

Figure 2: Power quality simplified; Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG

2. system protection by residual current and fault current monitoring

The risk

Residual current monitoring (RCM) in low-voltage networks (e.g. data centers) that is not detected or is detected too late represents a significant safety risk:

  • Fault currents and insulation decay are caused by defective / bad components (e.g. switching power supplies, LEDs, server systems, PV, etc.)
  • In the data center should / must not be switched off in the event of a fault!
  • Overheated cable insulation causes a fire risk!
The solution

Detection of risky fault currents by means of permanent residual current measurement, thereby increasing the safe operation of electrical systems.

Figure 3: Residual current monitoring Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG

Advantages
  • Time-consuming manual checks are no longer required (shutdown issue)
  • Continuous monitoring instead of status quo
  • Legal security with regard to the law, auditors (asset protection) and insurance companies
  • Permanent damage prevention to people and equipment

3. electrical data security through cyber security

Threat from cyber attacks

Figure 4: Threat of cyber attacks

The topic of cyber security is becoming increasingly important due to the constantly growing level of networking. Especially in the areas of critical infrastructure. Due to the threat situation, effective cyber security is essential there. Thus also very specific in data centers and considered under the topic of “electrical data security”.

You can find the complete blog post on cyber security here

Find complete solutions for your data center here

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Fields of application of measuring instruments

In this article we will show you possible fields of application for measuring instruments. Certainly, this is only one option and not conclusive.

 

Fields of application of measuring instruments

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Ensuring grid quality on a small scale

Ensure power quality! These claims are becoming stronger and louder. This is confirmed by utilities, industrial companies, but also by many of the electrical specialists who are increasingly confronted with the topic on the part of their customers. The question often arises as to which measuring device should be used, with which expertise and with which budget.

Ensure the quality of the network for industrial needs. This is now offered by the LINAX PQ1000 series power analyzer according to IEC61000-4-30 class S. The measuring instrument is specially designed for the area of “Demand Side Power Quality” (DSPQ). There you will find the process for securing the power quality on the consumer side (according to the PoCC as per IEC TR 63191).

But why class S and not class A

Standards

Measuring instruments according to IEC 61000-4-30 Class A generally provide measured values that are comparable across measuring instruments and manufacturers. In case of legal cases, class A is mandatory and is particularly relevant for distribution system operators.

IEC 61000-4-30 class S power quality analysers are intended for basic / advanced power quality analysis and provide useful monitoring data. Instruments that meet Class S performance requirements are used for statistical power quality surveys and other applications and measurement services. There are no potential disputes there. Thus, comparable measurements are also not mandatory. The performance requirements for Class S are less stringent than for Class A. Among other things, this also results in a lower price. They are often used in industrial and supply engineering at the IPC(according to IEC [TR] 63191 this is the network distribution according to the Point of Common Coupling (PoCC)). Even in data centers, these are strongly recommended according to EN50600-2-2:2019-08 [Kapitel 6.2.3 Spannungsqualität] within the infrastructure.

Ensuring power quality with certification even for class S

A very important criterion for correct and repeatable measurement of power quality is compliance with standards for the measurement procedure. These are not to be confused with power quality compliance standards. For this reason, class S measuring devices should also be certified. With the LINAX PQ1000, this is ensured on the basis of the big brothers LINAX PQ3000 & PQ5000 by METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Swiss precision.

Ensuring network quality with the highest standards of cyber security

Cyber Security

The topic of cyber security is also becoming more and more important due to the constantly growing networking. Especially in the areas of power distribution, whether in public or private networks. Due to the threat situation, effective cyber security is essential. To this end, the LINAX PQ1000offers many of the same effective protective features as its larger siblings. These include:

Designs of the LINAX PQ1000

LINAX PQ1000 all views

The PQI, according to Definition according to IEC 62586-1/2 for the analysis of power quality in power supply systems also called Power Quality Instrument (PQI), is available in various options. With the common 96x96mm form factor, the meter fits well anywhere. Whether for panel mounting with TFT display or for DIN rail mounting with or without TFT display. All variants are possible and offer high flexibility. Added to this is the simplest operation and communication via integrated web browser. Without additional software, operation, parameterization and monitoring are made child’s play.

More tutorials (e.g. on the topics UPS, PQ analysis, PQEasy reporting, data export, etc.) can be found here.

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Single Node or Distributed Installation

With its hardware and software network components, an IT infrastructure represents a complex and sometimes very complicated system. Especially if you want to map and optimize the energy infrastructure across companies.

SmartCollect®SC², with its web-based architecture, can help overcome a lot of headaches while still providing the highest level of security. In this blog you will find two main types of installation. On the one hand, the so-called “Single Node Installation” (single node connection) and on the other hand, the so-called “Distributed Installation” (distributed connection).

SIngle Node Installation of SmartCollect SC2

Single Node Installation of SmartCollect SC²

 

Distributed Installation of SmartCollect SC²

Distributed Installation of SmartCollect SC²

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The use of suitable current transformer sensors pays off

Accuracy of the measurement questioned.

Measuring instruments are usually classified according to standards and accuracy. Accuracy is an important indicator for being able to usefully build on a solid measurement result in the analysis and its resulting measures. However, it can be observed that although the measuring devices used correspond to a required accuracy class, the necessary sensors are often less in focus.

It can be seen that although class A measuring devices used in power quality applications correspond to a data sheet accuracy of 0.1% for U/I and 0.2S at the energy meter, upstream current transformers are often designed significantly worse (e.g. 0.5% or worse). And this is apart from the fact that not only accuracy plays a role in power quality measurements, but also the inevitable compatibility against harmonics – one of the modern and growing main players in power quality. Read more

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PQaaS: The Power Quality as a Service website goes live

Innovative and informative website on the topic of power quality

The topic of power quality is rapidly gaining importance in the context of the energy transition and smart grids and smart metering. As a result, the question marks of the supposedly affected and involved parties are piling up to the same extent. What does this mean for the distribution grid operator, the authorities, the industrial companies, the electrical inspectors, the electrical contractors, the professional associations, the infrastructure companies such as airports, railways, etc.?

Bringing more light into the dark

For stakeholders, whether already familiar with the topic of power quality today or not, the new Read more

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Tier 1-4: Increasing secure 24/7 operation in data centres

Certified power quality monitoring and fire protection enhancement

Preamble

The volume of digital data continues to increase rapidly and steadily. Not least caused by cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (XBT), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), etc. or, for example, by the blockchain process, a quasi-type database that works on various networked servers. The increasing demand for data exchange also increases the need for data centres, which are planned, built and maintained on a large scale globally. However, data centres in the electrical energy context are subject to complex challenges that can influence (legally) secure 24/ operation.

The basic requirements

When planning the energy supply of a data centre, many demands must be taken into account:

  • Secure location in terms of energy supply and environmental conditions
  • High energy efficiency to minimise operating costs
  • Maximum availability (Uptime Insitute Tier 1-4) through use of redundancies, e.g. UPS, generators
  • High security (fire protection, access, defence against cyber attacks)
  • System stability and reliability of the operating resources used
  • Scalability

The problem description

Various studies show that power quality problems cost billions each year. Read more

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PQ Easy Report – Conformity reports at the touch of a button

 

With the “PQ-Easy Report”, statistical reports can be generated directly from the measuring instrument, either according to standard or also user-specific. And this completely autonomously and detached from proprietary software solutions that make life difficult for many users as well as the IT department.

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