What is it?
An Active Voltage Regulator maintains voltage levels within acceptable ranges.
Active voltage regulators have long enabled customers to maintain voltage levels within acceptable ranges giving utility customers the assurance that electrical equipment will operate properly. Voltage regulators in the traditional sense were in line to the incoming service to protect from line fluctuations.
When a steady, reliable voltage is needed, then the voltage regulator is the preferred device.
It generates a fixed output voltage that remains constant for any changes in an input voltage or load conditions. It acts as a buffer for protecting components from damages.
The size and technology choice for a customer specific option will depend on the voltage window they are trying to correct. In many instances, a voltage regulator is incorporated with a transformer to isolate incoming anomalies. In smaller applications, a ferro resonant transformer-based system can provide voltage regulation with battery storage backup, much like a Ferrups UPS system from Eaton.
However, because Active Voltage Regulators do not have a backup power supply of their own, the extra cost of an external battery will be required in order to provide uninterruptible power in the event of a blackout. Additionally, some voltage regulators can also automatically cut off the power supply if the input voltage becomes to low, or high for the regulator to do its job properly.
Active Voltage Regulation option is the most inexpensive to correct simple line voltage.
In the context of protecting industrial or manufacturing equipment the (AVR) or Active Voltage Regulation option is the most inexpensive to correct simple line voltage. The AVR provides consistent nominal output voltage, however larger systems are not available with backup storage as the AVC is. The size and technology choice for a customer specific option will depend on the voltage window they are trying to correct. Many times a voltage regulator along with a transformer to isolate incoming anomalies is chosen. In smaller applications a ferroresonant transformer based system can provide voltage regulation with battery storage backup.
Normal utility power can vary, in some cases dramatically enough to cause damage or decrease the performance of your devices. The purpose of an AVR is solely to maintain constantly acceptable voltage levels for the benefit and health of your electrical equipment. Because of their ability to stabilize the voltage in a reliable way, an AVR is often the preferred device for this particular application.
Have an ICP site survey done to survey your facility and install a power metering device.
When you install equipment that will correct power and hold voltage within your facility, you will be providing your facility with protection against all outside influences of power. Halting wear and tear on other equipment in the facility by having stable voltage and power factor is the goal. The long term positives are lowered operations and maintenance costs by limiting voltage and amperage anomalies inside the facility. It is common to vet these issues by installing a monitoring device at the service entrance of the facility utility power. This is a low-cost method to really understand these issues and to make a proper diagnosis.
We are available to review electrical one-lines, Power Reports, Demand Usage, and any other data on your facility power.
Call your ICP Technical Representative today to discuss options to increase efficiency in your facility and correct our facility power issues!