February 26, 2010 — Rockwell Automation expanded its overload relay family with the Allen Bradley Bulletin 193-EC5 E3 Plus solid-state overload relay, featuring voltage protection and energy monitoring. Part of the E3 Plus family, the overload relay combines current and voltage protection with enhanced power monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, helping users improve energy efficiency and safeguard critical electric motor loads. The overload relay is specially designed for low voltage applications in material handling, water/wastewater, process, petrochemical, and minerals and mining.
Communicating status and diagnostic information using DeviceNet communications with Rockwell Software RSEnergyMetrix software, the overload relay identifies motors contributing to the monthly peak demand and power factor line items on utility bills. It also assists in activity-based cost accounting and verifying energy-reduction initiatives. In addition, the overload relay is equipped with Allen Bradley DeviceLogix Intelligent Component Technology, which integrates logic-solving capability into the overload relay. This provides users with basic digital control when a programmable controller is not available. It also can be used to turn off a motor in the event of lost communications within a control system.
The solid-state overload relay also helps protect against voltage issues, such as under voltage, voltage unbalance, phase loss, frequency and phase rotation before the contactor coil is energized. While the motor is powering a load, the overload relay protects the motor based on excessive real power (kW), reactive power (kVAR), apparent power (kVA) and power factor. The overload relay accommodates currents ranging from 0.4A to 860A, as well as currents up to 5,000A using external current transformers. “Customers want to be able to monitor consumption patterns and adjust their manufacturing procedures to use electricity more efficiently,” said Bill Martin, product manager, Rockwell Automation.
“The Bulletin 193-EC5 E3 Plus relay meets this demand by providing current, voltage and power-quality information of a specific motor. This capability in turn helps speed troubleshooting, minimize downtime and reduce energy costs.” Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.