Power House Control and Monitoring

The 525 KVA Generator in the Power House

New Control and Monitoring System for the Power House Generator Set

Jodrell Bank has a 525 KVA standby generator system for use when the Grid electricity supply fails. A new system is currently being commissioned to allow for monitoring of the supply status in the Lovell Telescope Control Room, manned 24 hrs a day, and for remote control of the transfer back to the Grid supply when power has been restored.

Following loss of the Grid supply to Jodrell for a period of greater than about 30 seconds, the 525 KVA generator set will start automatically and take over the site load. It is prudent to wait for some time following restoration of the Grid supply before transferring back to it in case, as often happens, a number of short interruptions occur over a period of time.

The new system will allow the duty controller to monitor the situation, and when he is happy that we should return to the Grid, remotely initiate the transfer of load. When the command is given, the generator set synchronises to the mains frequency and phase and then breakers transfer the site load back to the Grid. There should be no interruption of power to the site during this transfer.

Monitoring Screen in the Lovell Control Room

Current Status

All hardware has been installed and the commissioning is underway. As it is vital to keep the Jodrell Site in operation this process is being carried out in stages to minimise any possible problems. It is expected that the commissioning process will be completed during the first half of 1999.

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