Prisma Plus - error

news
Schneider Electric
Prisma Plus
Created for peace of mind
Merlin Gerin has created the new benchmark in
Switchboard Technology and its ready to be
launched in New Zealand.
Prisma is now Prisma Plus!
Simpler, faster and more efficient, Prisma Plus
provides you with still more, while also
respecting your habits. As simple as it is
reliable, Prisma Plus is designed to satisfy
all your requirements. From design
through to utilisation, everything is
thought out to ensure complete
harmony between you and
your switchboard?
Prisma Plus is a functional system
designed to produce electrical
distribution switchboards up
to 3200 A in tertiary and
industrial buildings.
Prisma Plus is a
manufacturer’s system
developed for installation
of Merlin Gerin and
Telemecanique switchgear
as per tested switchboard
standard IEC 60439-1.
Such conformity
guarantees greater
safety of people as well
as optimum operation
of switchgear and
applications served.
The Prisma Plus
functional system offers a
comprehensive choice of
options and solutions in all
switchboard life phases:
specification, choice and
quotation, design, distribution,
mounting/cabling, transport and
installation on site, operation,
maintenance and upgrading:
everything is foreseen to provide you
with peace of mind.
For more information go online to;
www.schneider-electric.co.nz
The Newsletter of
Schneider Electric New Zealand
August 2004
Inside
Busbar offers more flexibility
Zelio Logic
New INS/INV Interpact
ASI-Safe
Vigirex RCDs
PDL’s IP66
American Samoa

welcome
news
to our latest edition of
Schneider Electric
Here we are in the middle of another winter, the
weather is playing its part and so too are the
All Blacks. Never a dull moment as they say.
Just as the All Blacks are approaching the serious
part of the year, so too is business. Despite last
year’s predictions to the contrary, the economy is
still growing at a good rate. Surging commodity
prices and improving global demand will
strengthen our agriculture sector in particular.
Most of the signs look good for the remainder of
the year.
New products continue to roll out of our
Development Centres. This Quarter, we are
launching the very exciting new Prisma Plus
Switchboard System. We have also decided to
re-launch our Canalis Busduct offer. You will also
find many other new products in our Catalogue.
Hot off the press from the USA, Schneider Electric
has announced the acquisition of Andover
Controls, a high successful player in Building
Automation and Security. Building Automation is
one of the new growth platforms identified by
Schneider Electric as part of its strategy to develop
in strategically related activities with high growth
potential. Andover Controls enables Schneider
Electric to considerably strengthen its position in
this market, where it became a major player by the
June 2003 Acquisition of TAC.
As you can see, we are doing our best to deliver
innovative products and solutions to market that
will assist you and your customers to become more
efficient and productive.
Thank you once again for your support, and have
a great year.
Stu Thorogood
General Manager
Schneider Electric (NZ) Ltd
Fonterra signs a global partnership
agreement with Schneider Electric
On Thursday 22 April a formal agreement
was signed by Fonterra’s, Mr Ross
McCowan - GM Global Capital Projects
(on left) and Schneider Electric Pacific
Zone Director, Mr Laurent Vernerey
Whilst the agreement formalises the
relationship between Schneider and
Fonterra, both companies have been
working very closely for more than 30
years. Schneider’s products branded;
Merlin Gerin, Telemecanique, Modicon
and PDL are used extensively in Fonterra
manufacturing facilities.
Ross McCowan explains that…. “This is the first such arrangement that we have
entered into in this field. The agreement that has been signed, will see even more
collaboration between both companies in the future - not only in the development and
application of electrical and automation technology, but also, areas such as
Manufacturing Excellence and Quality. “
Richard Scrivener, Schneider Electric International Account Manager for Fonterra,
adds….. “Further endorsement of our relationship is the desire of both companies to
establish an employee exchange program, whereby specialists from Schneider and
Fonterra can swap places to exchange experiences and knowledge to the benefit of
both companies……this is an example of a true partnership!”
Celebrating the signing of the Fonterra / Schneider alliance
(Left to Right) Stuart Thorogood Schneider Electric NZ Executive General Manager, Ross
McCowan Fonterra General Manager - Global Capital Projects, Laurent Vernerey Schneider
Electric Pacific Zone Director, Robert Alloway Manager Fonterra Automation & Process
Control Operations, John Webber Schneider Electric NZ Director, Richard Scrivener
Schneider Electric International Account Manager.
OUT NOW
Schneider Electric Training Schedule
New Medium Voltage Catalogue
PDL Powerguard brochure
Contact Customer Services on 0800 472 463 for your copy.
From a global
perspective,
Fonterra is now
active in, Europe,
Asia – Pacific,
North and South
America and has
an aggressive
international
growth plan.
Schneider has
operations in 130
countries and is
committed to
supporting
Fonterra in their
global expansion.

Busduct offers
more flexibility
When the designers of Auckland
University’s new Centre for
Advanced Composite Materials
Research began planning its wiring
system, they knew ongoing ‘change’
would be a key requirement – so
they elected to use Schneider
Electric’s Canalis technology.
The Canalis Busduct. Supplys power to the machines below is
simply a matter of inserting a tap off box – situated on both
sides of the busduct – and dropping an electrical feed.
The Research Centre is part of the
University’s Mechanical Engineering
Department, and is located at Auckland
University’s Tamaki Campus. Geared to
the research of a wide variety of
composite materials, the facility houses
a diverse array of machinery.
It includes hydraulic presses, plastic
injection moulders, extruders and ovens,
as well as the standard range of lathes,
milling machines and general workshop
equipment.
“Our new building is a marvellous, openplan
design that lets in plenty of natural
light,” says the Centre’s Technical Officer,
Rex Halliwell “but we knew that providing
three-phase power to the machines was
going to be an issue. For a start, there
are no vertical support columns, so there
are no obvious routes for electrical
conduits – or for getting power to the
centre of the building.
“Perhaps more significantly, this is a
research centre, and by its very nature,
we are continually adding new
machines to the inventory. That means
we are often moving machines around
to make better use of space and ‘flow’
though the facility. With conventional
wiring, that would require plenty of
rewiring and re-connecting.”
Collectively, he points out, the machines
also draw a substantial load. “All in all,
a conventional wiring system would be
a problem. Our consulting engineers,
Sinclair Knight Mertz, specified the
Canalis Busduct system. It overcomes
all those issues – and it works superbly.”
The facility’s electrical infrastructure
features four, parallel busducts running
the length of the building, mounted
above I-beams or suspended from the
ceiling. The busducts have different
amperage ratings: one each of 800A,
500A, 200A and 100A.
Providing power to machines is simple,
says Halliwell.
“We insert a tap-off box into the
overhead trunk busduct at the closest,
convenient point, and just drop a cable to
the machine. The tap-off boxes are selfcontained,
off-the-shelf items with built-in
circuit breakers. They can be fitted to
either side of the busduct, in designated
centres about 600 mm apart.”
Apart from the ease of connection, he
says, moving a machine and its power
source is simply a matter of unplugging
the tap-off box and moving it to the new,
appropriate take-off point along the
busduct. “There is no climbing around,
no re-routing cables, no disconnection.
It gives us remarkable flexibility.”
Single-phase power is also supplied
easily. “We simply take the supply – at
whatever overhead point is convenient –
from one of the phases in the busduct.”
The Telemecanique Canalis system
was installed by Allendale Electrical,
and project manager Bob Lawton says it’s
far easier to fit than conventional wiring.
“The pre-manufactured sections clip
together – it’s a bit like Lego – and as
they’re relatively light, they’re easy to
handle. It’s much easier than routing
cables within ladder trays, around
corners and down to switchboards
– so it’s much faster.”
He says a major advantage of the
busduct system is the freedom it gives
the end-user for future expansion.
“They’ve plenty of flexibility for rearranging
their facility into any
configuration they choose.”
The Canalis Busduct trunking system
is designed for different ratings: low
distribution and medium power
distribution.
Low power distribution
- Canalis KN (40 to 100A)
There are two low power versions:
• Canalis KNA – four live conductors
(3L + N + PE) for distribution up to 100A.
• Canalis KNT – identical to the KNA,
but fitted with a remote transmission
bus with three 2.5 mm2 conductors.
KNA and KNT busduct trunking provides
IP 41 protection or IP54 with accessories.
A wide range of tap off units to service
power and light outlets either protected
and non-protected are available.
Medium power distribution - Canalis KS
Designed for high tap-off density in
industrial and commercial buildings
(exhibition halls, hypermarkets, and office
blocks).The range is available in seven
ratings, from 100 to 800A.The standard
IP 52 protection makes KS suitable for
the majority of locations. It can be
increased to IP 54 by the addition of dust
and damp-proof blanking plates on the
tap-off outlets. A wide range of tap off
units either protected and non-protected
are available, rated from 25 to 400A.
There are four busducts running the length of the facility.
Some are mounted on an I-beam – others are suspended from
the roof.
For more information, contact:
Ross de Bueger
Applications Engineer
Industrial Control & Low Voltage
Schneider Electric (NZ) Limited
PO Box 15 355
Auckland
Tel: 09 829 0679

New & Improved smart relays
Zelio Logic
Your advanced solution!
User-friendliness of the “free input” mode: LADDER or
electrical symbols
120 lines of control schemes
5 contacts + 1 coil per programming line
New functions:
16 text function blocks
16 timers
16 up/down counters
1 fast counter
16 analogue
comparators
8 clocks
Zelio Logic Compact
10, 12, 20 I/O monobloc models,
with or without display
28 auxiliary relays
8 counter comparators
LCD screen with
programmable back-lighting
Automatic 1 hour clock
change: summer/winter
Diversity of coil functions;
with memory (set/reset),
remote switch, contactor
Zelio Logic Modular
10 and 26 I/O bases,
expandable up to 40 I/O
* Simply Smart : more ingenuity and
intelligence for continually improving ease
of use
INS/INV Interpact switch disconnectors
Now available up to 1600A. The top end of the
range, INS630b – INS1600 completes a
comprehensive offer in low voltage switch
disconnectors. The range complies with IEC
60947-1, 3 and 5.1 and will operate in
temperatures ranging from –25 degrees C to
70 degrees C.
All Interpact switch disconnectors are suitable for
isolation as defined in IEC standard 60947-3...
• the isolation position corresponds to the
O (OFF) position
• the operating handle cannot indicate the OFF
position unless the contacts are actually open
• padlocking in the OFF position is not possible
unless the contacts are actually open
The range also includes a wide range of
accessories and connections as well as a visible
break (INV range) and an emergency range with
yellow face and red handle.
For more information contact your local
Sales Engineer

ASI-Safe
enhances infrastructure
Fonterra’s Clandeboye factory
in Southland has embarked
on the roll-out of a new safety
infrastructure following the recent
trial of Schneider-Electric’s Asi-
Safety at Work software on the giant
facility’s cheese production line.
“A significant advantage of the new
ASi-Safe system,” says Clandeboye
automation engineer Tim Holt, “is the
way it interfaces seamlessly with our In
Touch SCADA technology. In addition to
a much better safety environment, the
technology provides easier monitoring
and control of the cheese mellowing
process. We will now extend it to other
parts of the facility.”
Personnel on the ‘mellowing’ line are
required to stop production periodically
to take samples for batch testing and
quality control. It is not safe to attempt
this with the conveyor lines continuing to
operate, and until the installation of the
ASi-Safe technology, the line was shut
down manually. And that required a
certain amount of coordination: all lines
further up-stream in the production
process also had to be stopped to
prevent bottlenecks.
To streamline the stopping and starting
of the process and improve safety
parameters, Clandeboye
commissioned Dave McIvor (owner of
Industrial Controls South Canterbury
Ltd in Christchurch) to design and
install an automated system. “We
discussed three options,” says Holt,
“and the ASi-Safe solution was by far
the most cost-effective.”
ASi-Safe runs on an ASi-bus network –
technology now incorporated into the
Clandeboye system with the fitting of
an ASi-bus card to the line’s existing
Modicon PLC. The ASi-Safe system
comprises the software and a number
of sensors and ASi-safe modules.
“The conveyors in the mellowing line
have hinged covers,” says McIvor,
“and the sensors were fitted to them.
As soon as the operators (there are four
‘sampling’ stations) lift a cover, a signal is
sent to the PLC to halt the line.”
At the same time, the PLC
communicates with up-stream
processing lines, synchronising their
stopping-and-starting with that of the
sample-testing line. “It was an easy
system to install,” says McIvor. “Most of
work involved configuring the ASi-Safe
software with my lap-top.”
Clandeboye says the system’s ability to
interface with the facility’s In Touch
SCADA system also provides useful
trending information about unrelated
stoppages (those un-connected to
sampling procedures), and so helps with
operational management issues.
“None of the other systems we
investigated were able to reflect
individual devices on the computer
screens in our control room,” says Holt.
“Without ASi-Safe, getting the status of
all devices on the In Touch system would
have been a real ‘mission’ – involving lots
of additional wiring and separate PLCs.”
ASi-Safe is TÜV-certified and may be
used up to category 4 (conforming to
EN954-1) and is for use with safety
sensors and other safety control
products to guarantee fast operation.
Benefits
ASi-Safe technology offers plant
operators a variety of benefits, including:
• schematic design time is greatly
reduced
• installation time is greatly reduced
• the risk of wiring errors is greatly
reduced
• safety I/O signals are integrated into
and managed by the same, process
I/O system
• the ability to use a standard ASi-bus
card in a standard PLC offers cost
reductions
• input signals are processed rapidly
(response time < 35ns) compared
with a purpose-designed safety PLC.
For more information, contact:
Chris Cooper
Product Manager
Machine Control
Schneider Electric NZ
Phone: 09 829 0490
email: chris.cooper@nz.schneiderelectric.com

RCDs are an effective
means to provide
protection against fire
hazards because control
over the level of leakage
current is the only way to
manage this risk.
For TN-S systems (MEN), the risk of
electrical fire hazards is eliminated by a
300 mA RCD.
Analysis of the risk
• in the 1980s and 1990s, a study carried
out by an insurance company in Germany
on fires on industrial and commercial
premises revealed that:
• the cost was extremely high, reaching
several hundred million euros
PDL’s IP66 Distribution solution will ensure you are in good
hands in harsh environments.
• The 56CB13 surface mount board will allow an array of
MG products such as timers, main switches, RCCB’s and
miniature circuit breakers for virtually all of your
installation needs.
• The transparent flap, incorporating the patented selflocking
feature, provides a quick and easy focal point for
devices that have operated. The flap can be opened
permanently, allowing flexibility whilst performing
maintenance.
• The unit is available in both chemically resistant orange
and white. This will help protect against those chemically
challenged installations.
• The PDL distribution board encompasses 13 x 18mm
ways, supplied with one earth and two neutral busbars.
The E6 base has been designed with dedicated conduit
entries providing the flexibility for surface or rear cable
entries into the 56CB13 distribution board
• The 56CB13 fully complies with AS/NZ 3439.3 and
supersedes the DBWS13C.
Available now at your Electrical Wholesaler.
Protection using Vigirex RCDs
Protection of property: fire hazards
• the cost increased 600 %, i.e. much faster
than the increase in the GNP
(> 2 times faster over 20 years).
It is necessary to become aware of the
dangers of fire hazards not only in terms of
safety, but also in terms of cost.
An analysis of the situation showed that
electricity was an important factor (the cause
of approximately 40 % of fire accidents).
• the analysis showed furthermore that
there are two main causes:
• the 1st major cause is the creation of
electrical arcs and arc tracking due to
humidity. These arcs can develop only
with impedant fault loops (> 0.6 Ω) and
appear only when insulation faults occur
or stray currents flow. Very little energy is
Tests have shown that a very low insulation-fault current (a few mA) can develop and, starting at 300 mA, cause the start of a fire
in an environment of damp dust.
Moisture? Dirt? Chemicals?
Harsh Environments?
No problems for the 56CB13
Origin of fires in buildings.
required to launch the phenomenon (a
few joules), i.e. an insulation-fault current
or a stray current u 300 mA represent a
real risk of fire.
• the 2nd cause is related to uncontrolled
temperature rise caused by incorrectly
set protective devices or incorrectly
calculated fault-loop impedances (due
primarily to age or lack of installation
maintenance). Because the thermalprotection
devices did not operate
correctly, excessive temperature rise
due to overcurrents or a shortcircuit
resulted in a fire.
For more information contact:
Bruce Morrison
Product Manager
Power Distribution
Schneider Electric (NZ) Limited
PO Box 15 355
Auckland
Tel: 09 829 0490
email: bruce.morrison@nz.schneider-electric.com

Slick changeover
keeps fish fresh
When the mains switchboard at one of
the world’s largest tuna-processing
plants began feeling its age, Schneider
Electric NZ and Napier’s Electrotech
Controls Ltd teamed up to design, build
and supply a more efficient replacement.
The COS Samoa Packing Company in
Pago Pago, American Samoa, processes
some 300 tonnes of tuna a day and in
global terms is second in size only to the
neighboring StarKist plant.
COS runs a 24-hour operation, and its
major electrical demand is for refrigeration,
water pumps and generating steam. In
recent years power reliability had become
an issue as a result of an increasingly
fragile mains switchboard. After a tendering
process, the plant’s management
appointed Electrotech to design, build and
supply a replacement, and Schneider
Electric supplied much of the hardware.
“A major problem with the equipment,”
says Electrotech project manager Steve
Pardoe, “was the environment in which it
operated. There were a few leaks in the
roof of the building, and that had caused
quite a bit of corrosion. As a result,
the local crews were replacing the
switchboard’s ACBs on a regular basis –
as a kind of preventative maintenance.”
Electrotech’s design of the new switchboard
was governed by the power feed into the
plant – delivered from two 2MVA
transformers.That was complemented by
three 940kW standby, diesel-generating
sets. Designed as standby units, in practice
the generating sets ran continuously, in
parallel with the electricity supply.
“Essentially,” says Pardoe, “we were dealing
with three separate switchboards mounted
side by side.The generator board – for the
three standby generators – and two for the
main distribution board.The two main
switchboards were linked by power cables.
“Because of the potential fault current
associated with paralleling two 2MVA
transformers, we had to keep our design
similar: two switchboards that would be
kept totally separate – but interconnected
– for the transformers, and one for the
generating sets.”
DESIGN
Optimising and monitoring the
performance of the new switchboards
was one of the project’s major drivers.
“The old control system was fraught with
difficulties,” says Pardoe. “It was totally
manual and there was no monitoring. Even
synchronizing the three generators was a
manual operation. Operators had no way
of tracking power consumption.”
The new Prisma switchboards were
designed and built at Electrotech’s Napier
plant. The design team from Electrotech
specified a full distribution and automation
system complete with SCADA and power
factor correction.
Among the challenges the team faced was
designing and specifying equipment that
complied with US regulations. “We had to
take virtually everything we needed with
us, because the US system still uses
imperial measurements.”
In addition, the team had to factor different
voltage system into their design – 110
volts, a 240-volt system as well as a 24-volt
DC system for all controls.
Schneider-Electric’s Bruce Morrison says
highly specialised Merlin Gerin breakers
were fitted to the Prisma switchboards.
“As a standard feature, all source breakers
were equipped with ammeters to facilitate
easier power monitoring.This included full
modbus communication with energy
management and preventative
maintenance monitoring achieved. In
addition, all 24 x 800A feeder breakers
were supplied with PM500 power monitors.”
INSTALLATION
The project ran over a five-week period
in April and May this year, and installing
the two switchboards was by far the most
difficult part of the project because of the
very tight time limit. “The fish is kept in
freezers and the factory can only survive
for about 24 hours – tops – without
electricity,” says Pardoe. “And that’s what
we were given for the changeover.”
As it happened, the installation crew
only needed 21 hours. “Apart from the
success of meeting the time-limit, it was
particularly gratifying to witness the
improved efficiency of the switchboards.
Tests conducted after the installation
showed the boards were running at a
significantly lower load than the previous
equipment. We believe a lot of the
‘excess’ load on the old boards was
attributable to heat losses and
poor connections.”
Control is also much easier. It’s entirely
automatic, and operators now monitor
the switchboards’ performance on a PC
screen. Being able to monitor load in real
time, Pardoe points out, “also allows
operators to consider strategies such
as peak load sharing for the first time –
and improve the plant’s overall
energy efficiency.”
THE HARDWARE
Schneider-Electric supplied the majority of the components used in the two
switchboards. Below is a selection of the Merlin Gerin items:
2 x 3200A 3P 85kA Masterpact NW ACB Mains Breakers
2 x 3200A 3P ACB Masterpact NW Generator Feeders
3 x 2000A ACB Masterpact NW Generator Breakers
2 x 3200A ACB Masterpact NW Bus Ties
24 x 800A MCCB Compact NS Sub Circuit Feeders
24 x PM 500 Powerlogic power meters
5 x PM 850 Powerlogic power meters
For more information contact your
local Sales Engineer

Welcome New
to the Schneider Electric team positions
Sara Thompson
Receptionist
Auckland
Garrie Taylor
Project Manager
– Wholesale
Auckland
Karl Van der Berg
Sales Representative
– Wholesale
Auckland
Russell Moorhouse
Sales Representative
– Wholesale
Bay of Plenty
Craig Sutherland
Sales Engineer
– Industrial Automation
& Distribution
Wellington
Richard Rowe
Sales Engineer
– Industrial Automation
& Distribution
Christchurch
Luli, an international campaign
with real benefits to the youth of New Zealandi
Luli, is the name of the international
campaign for Schneider Electric
employees to assist local community
organisations helping young people
integrate into society.
In this campaign, the company devotes
one week a year to young people by
mobilising employee talents and
encouraging meeting between
employees, volunteering employees and
the young people in the organisations to
reinforce each others commitment.
This long-term campaign was launched
in 2001 and has been repeated each
year since. In 2003, the campaign
involved 160 community projects in 70
countries supported by more than 80%
of Schneider Electric sites.
In New Zealand the Spirit of Adventure
Trust was selected to reflect the goals of
Schneider Electric products are available through electrical wholesalers New Zealand wide.
For PDL Electrical Products
Freecall 0800-652 999, freefax 0800-101 152
this campaign. This organisation is
dedicated to the Youth of New Zealand
and brings together 1200 young people
nationwide together annually.
The Trust offers equal opportunity to
develop qualities of leadership,
independence and community spirit
through the medium of the sea. It was
established to provide the youth of
New Zealand access to a character
development programme through sail
training. The focus of learning for
Trainees is on personal skills such as
teamwork, leadership and
communication, learning to sail a tall
ship is a means to achieving these
learning objectives.
The New Zealand Luli campaign has
committed three years of sponsorship for
selected students to attend the Spirit of
For Merlin Gerin,Telemecanique, PDL Drives, Himel, and Square D products
Freecall 0800-472 463, freefax 0800-329 725
Email orders to sales@nz.schneider-electric.com
Online product detail - download from www.schneider-electric.co.nz
Wayne Bourke
Product Manager
Ultra Terminal
Auckland
Adventure Trust Youth Development 10
Day voyage.This programme is aimed at
15 – 19 year olds who are in full time
education.This year we have committed
to sponsor 10 students on this voyage of
a lifetime to help them realise the skills
they learn can be applied on their journey
through life.
Merlin Gerin, PDL, Square D and Telemecanique are brands of Schneider Electric
Owing to changes in standards and equipment, the characteristics given in the text and images in this document are not binding until they have been confirmed with us.