ADVC controller provides protection and control for overhead power distribution networks 
(21/02/2008)
The new ADVC advanced controller system from Schneider Electric provides efficient, comprehensive cost-effective protection and control for overhead power distribution networks. Housed in a marine-grade stainless-steel enclosure, ADVC controllers incorporate a wide range of protection features, complemented by versatile communications options and measurement facilities for all key network parameters. Many of the features provided by the system are easily customised to suit individual user requirements.
Among the protection features incorporated as standard is true directional protection, rather than the simple directional blocking that is used in many ostensibly similar products. Other protection features offered include negative phase sequence, over/under frequency and a sensitive earth-fault system.
Ten groups of protection settings are provided, along with automatic protection group selection. IEC, IEEE and non-standard protection curves are supported, users can build their own protection curves using Windows Switchgear Operating Software (WSOS) and the controller is ideal for use in loop automation applications.
To facilitate setting up as well as remote monitoring and control, ADVC controllers offer a local computer port, and also RS232, RS485, V23 and 10BaseT Ethernet communication ports, they are fully flexible with up to 3 fully configurable ports all which fully support the widely used DNP3 protocol, and can also be configured to suit other protocols according to the requirements of the user.
The event log is extensive and is capable of storing 30,000 events which are capable of being down-loaded locally or remotely for fault or operational analysis.
Standard measurement features provided by the controllers include voltage, frequency, current, sequence component monitoring for both voltage and current, total and reactive power, and power factor. An optional power quality toolkit additionally allows real-time waveform capture and monitoring of voltage sags and surges. It also provides extensive harmonic analysis functions, together with facilities for supply outage management.
For local operation and configuration, ADVC controllers incorporate an operator control panel mounted inside the door of the cubicle. This uses an intuitive menu-driven system to give access to system status information and the event log, as well as measurement, protection, automation and communication parameters. The panel's display pages can be configured to suit individual customer requirements, and features that are not required in a particular application can be easily removed.
ADVC advanced controllers from Schneider Electric use enclosures which allow all-weather access, and which have separate padlocks for the door and the hatch. Provision is made for a safety harness to slide up through the gap between the open door and the cubicle. The enclosures, which feature a large customer compartment, offer IP65 ingress protection and are designed to allow the equipment to operate over an extended temperature range.
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