Dran-View 6; The Industry Leading Power Management Software Tool

Dran-View^® 6 is a Windows-based software package that enables power professionals to simply and quickly visualize and analyze power monitoring data. Not only is it a snap to navigate, it delivers automated functionality, and incorporates powerful analytical capabilities and customizable options to meet the needs of each individual user. Dran-View is successfully used by thousands of customers around the world, and has become the industry-leading power management software tool. Dran-View is availble in two versions: the Pro version, which has a powerful feature set, and the Enterprise version which has even more features and functionality.

Find out more about Dran-View 6 in our video below:

Download Dran-View 6 Brochure here

Encore Series System Solves Hospital's Power Outage Problem

By monitoring the incoming and outgoing power from a UPS supplying critical power to the Cath Lab X-Ray System and using the cross triggering comparison feature, the Encore Series instrument (at the time, this instrumentation was referred to as 'Signature System') was able to pinpoint the power outage problem.

The Encore verified the interruption of the utility supply and that the UPS was doing its job, providing a "clean" supply of power to the load. However, twenty seconds passed before the emergency generator came on-line, causing downtime and confusion. The Encore data enabled the customer to determine that the X-ray Emergency Power Off switch was being incorrectly fed directly by emergency power, rather than feeding the UPS as was specified in the hospital’s power system design.

Case Study: Stalled Motors

In this case study, we look at an industrial customer with two 1250 hp motors on a 4kV circuit, whose motors would not start. To determine the problem, we installed a Dranetz PowerGuide 4400 at the motor input. The power monitoring instrument quickly identified the motor itself as the source of the problem. In fact, the motor start caused a deep sag to occur, which impacted the motor control circuitry and stopped the motor from starting. In effect, the motor was "shooting itself in the foot," creating a cycle of non-performance.

The customer was presented with several mitigation options, including adding more capacity to the circuit, installing a constant voltage transformer, or installing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system. The customer selected the UPS option, which was installed to protect the motor control circuitry during motor start-up and verified using the PowerGuide 4400.

Inrush currents, such as those associated with motor starting can cause interaction problems with other loads. When motors are started they typically draw 6-10 times their full load, which can cause voltage sags. These events can dim lights, cause contactors to drop out, disrupt sensitive equipment, and as in our case study, affect the successful start of a motor. The use of a power quality monitor that can capture waveforms during long duration start-ups will be quite effective in characterizing and optimizing motor starts.