Energy Efficiency
Article Category:
2006/09/05
CBI-electric: low voltage manufactures and distributes two load shedding devices namely the Energy Control Unit (ECU) and the Load Control Relay (LCR) used as a measure to improve energy efficiency.
How you can help prevent power cuts
Recent events in the Cape have brought the reality of large-scale power cuts into our homes and businesses. And despite the expedited return to service (RTS) initiatives on a number of mothballed power stations, power outages are likely to remain an annoying and costly part of our lives for years to come.
The answer, in the mean time, is to treat electricity as a strategic resource and to apply measures that improve energy efficiency. Two such measures are manufactured and distributed by CBI-electric: low voltage, these being the Energy Control Unit (ECU) and the Load Control Relay (LCR).
Both the ECU and the LCR are load shedding devices used to control the shedding of secondary loads such as electrically heated water tanks and under-floor heating during high demand periods such as early evening, when most families are preparing dinner and switching on electric heaters.
As an example, when a stove (the controlling circuit) is switched on and the current exceeds the rating of the ECU or LCR, the supply to the hot water geyser (controlled circuit) will be temporarily interrupted. The ECU or LCR rating (amp) should be low enough to ensure the timely interruption of the controlled circuit.
Both the ECU and LCR are compact in size, clip into/onto a minirail for convenient mounting and are silent in operation.
The ECU has the following discrete features:
• The controlling circuit can carry 100A continuously.
• An LED indicates ‘ON’ when the controlled circuit is interrupted and ‘OFF’ when it is reconnected.
• The ambient temperature does not affect the operating point.
• It is an electronically controlled unit, which allows instantaneous interruption of controlled circuit at 105% and instantaneous re-connection at 65% of controlling circuit rated current.
• Controlled circuit switching capabilities 21A@230V (resistive load)
The LCR has the following discrete features:
• A bimetal controlled unit, which allows for greater tolerance of switching point and interrupts the controlled circuit at 125% and reconnects at 80% of the controlling circuit rated current.
• Controlled circuit switching capabilities 3 & 5 kilowatt (resistive load) ratings