Low-voltage power distribution in the digital age

These software-based planning tools and engineering systems increase planning efficiency. SIMARIS software tools support you in the efficient planning of electrical power distribution and its integration into digitalization long before the actual construction of switchboard, control cabinets, and busbar trunking systems.

With product data for automation technology and low-voltage switching technology, macros for e-engineering systems, 3D models, and device circuit diagrams, industrial control cabinets are produced based on digital twins – with up to 80 percent lower expenses for planning, configuration, design, documentation, ordering, and commissioning. The data are available in various data formats, for example as 3D models, graphics, and product data sheets, which means that they can also be used with standardized external platforms such as EPLAN and WSCAD macros.

BIM data provide a digital representation of switchboards, control cabinets, and busbar trunking systems. This results in a digital twin of the building with all its services, which makes it possible to detect and rectify faults before they occur in the real world. Studies have shown that change requests are reduced by up to 40 percent in this way – and that there are also considerable cost savings in operation.

Thanks to the integration of communication-capable protection and measuring devices as well as motor management systems into the Totally Integrated Automation Portal (TIA Portal), the electrification becomes an integral part of industrial automation. The uniform engineering framework can parameterize all important components, simulate them virtually, test them, and put them into operation in order to optimize the interaction of electrification and automation components. 

As a feature of the free TIA Selection Tool, the Load Feeder Configurator+ (IEC) makes the work of electrical designers much easier. Device selection, cable dimensioning, and short-circuit assessment for fuseless IEC feeders of up to 55 kW can be performed at the touch of a button. In addition to short-circuit calculation and cable dimensioning, the selection of suitable switching and protection devices for the motor is also carried out automatically, and a single-line view of the feeder is provided simultaneously with the selection of the appropriate components. Finally, a complete PDF documentation of the technical data and calculation results is generated to prove the short-circuit withstand.

The BusbarCheck app simplifies and accelerates the path to operational SIVACON 8PS busbar trunking systems with numerous support functions. All required information, such as installation instructions, is provided by the app. At the same time, each connection point is identified and visually documented. A digital protocol of all connection points is created at the push of a button for documentation purposes.

The powerconfig software is the common tool for communication-capable SENTRON measuring devices and circuit breakers. The PC-based tool already pays off during installation: It facilitates the parameterization of entire systems, and in this way ensures considerable time savings – especially when it comes to parameterizing several devices at once.

During operation, the SENTRON powerconfig mobile app makes all service work noticeably easier. It enables the operation and monitoring of 3WL and 3VA circuit breakers as well as 7KT PAC and 7KM PAC measuring devices and visualizes faults. This significantly increases efficiency in operation and maintenance work.

As a permanent diagnostics station within the SIVACON S8^plus, SIMARIS control enables the uniform control of the power distribution system and provides the basis for predictive maintenance in order to increase system availability. SIMARIS control makes it possible to create a digital image of the power distribution system for the local control level or cloud-based analysis systems from energy-relevant data.

The energy monitoring system from the Siemens SENTRON portfolio includes communication-capable measuring and protection devices as well as the SENTRON powermanager analysis software. Electrical parameters such as current, voltage, and frequencies can be precisely measured in real time from the point of infeed all the way to the individual loads.

The intuitively operated SENTRON powermanager software analyzes the power consumption of entire systems as well as of individual electrical loads. The results are clearly presented in the form of dashboards. In this way, potential savings in energy consumption and carbon emissions as well as system faults can be quickly identified.

SENTRON powermanager can be used as a standalone software or as an extension module for the Desigo CC building management system.

The 7KN powercenter3000 IoT data platform transmits energy data to local energy management systems or to open, cloud-based IoT solutions such as MindSphere, the Siemens cloud-based, open IoT operating system. These data can be evaluated in real time using other applications. The 7KN Powercenter 3000 IoT data platform collects all local raw data for this purpose and preprocesses them before transmission.

The cloud application SENTRON powermind enables the location-independent real-time analysis of all energy and plant data available in a cloud solution such as Siemens MindSphere. It provides users with an immediate overview of the current power consumption of entire plants or individual electrical loads, as well as the development of power consumption over time. The interaction of SENTRON powermind and the 7KN Powercenter 3000 IoT data platform enables even inexperienced users to easily start using cloud-based energy monitoring.

The powerconfig software is the common tool for communication-capable SENTRON measuring devices and circuit breakers. The PC-based tool already pays off during installation: It facilitates the parameterization of entire systems and in this way ensures considerable time savings – especially when it comes to parameterizing several devices at once.
 

During operation, the SENTRON powerconfig mobile app makes all service work noticeably easier. It enables the operation and monitoring of 3WL and 3VA circuit breakers as well as 7KT PAC and 7KM PAC measuring devices and visualizes faults. This significantly increases efficiency in operation and maintenance work.

7KM PAC measuring devices record the energy values for infeed, feeders, or individual loads in a precise, reproducible, and reliable manner. In addition to comprehensive information about the power distribution system, they provide important measurement values for system status and power quality assessments. Thanks to their various communication options, 7KM PAC measuring devices can be easily integrated into higher-level automation and energy management systems.

The modular, open 3WL circuit breakers switch and reliably protect electrical equipment such as motors, capacitors, generators, transformers, busbars, and cables against damage or fire as a result of short circuit, earth fault, or overload faults. They can be flexibly adapted to different applications and allow the easy implementation of protection, measurement, and communication functions even in existing installations.

Equipped with a communication module, they can also be integrated into higher-level energy management systems. In this case they report status and fault diagnoses remotely to higher-level control systems.

As a modular, highly variable system, the 3VA range of molded case circuit breakers ensures reliable protection of persons and installations. At the same time, it supports every process phase from planning to the operation of a power distribution system. CAx data are provided for engineering, for instance.

Thanks to the integrated recording of measuring values and the simple integration into higher-level energy management and automation systems, 3VA molded case circuit breakers ensure optimum support for all tasks in modern power distribution.        

SIMOCODE pro motor management and control units feature comprehensive protection, monitoring, and control functions for constant speed low-voltage motors. They provide detailed operating, service, and diagnostic data, and are also used for the safe shutdown of motors.

In SIVACON S8 switchboard, SIMOCODE pro devices enable the construction of powerful, extremely space-saving, and communication-capable load feeders. Using an initialization module for SIMOCODE that is permanently integrated in the switchboard, feeder-related parameter and address data are unit is replaced, the new module is parameterized automatically.

SIVACON S8^plus low-voltage switchboard lets you distribute energy safely and flexibly and at the same time manage the efficiency and reliability of your processes – in complex tasks with special requirements in the process industry as well as in data centers or in critical infrastructure facilities. The integrated SIMARIS control diagnostics station simplifies system commissioning and the parameterization of the installed devices. It provides you with greater transparency about energy flows and system or device statuses, and it enables faster fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance. In addition, SIMARIS control supports flexible operation and provides interfaces for integration into other systems, such as comprehensive automation systems and cloud-based analysis systems.

The data collected by numerous devices at the field level only unfold their value when they are reliably and safely transmitted in order to optimally adjust the power distribution system to automated operating, machine, and process sequences at all times. SIVACON 8PS busbar trunking systems with powerline technology transmit power and data via flexibly pluggable tap-off units, without additional data cables or wiring – even as a retrofit for existing installations.