Beckwith Electric Co. has unveiled the latest platform of it intertie/generator protective relay systems. Tailored for smaller distributed generation installations, typically 10 kW to 1.5 MVA, the M-3410A is a microprocessor-based unit that uses digital signal processing technology to provide up to 12 protective relay functions for intertie protection or up to 11 protective relay function for generator protection.

"The M-3410A gives us the availability of a panel mount, a horizontal mount and a vertical mount so that the packager can have different configurations to work with," said Wayne Hartmann, marketing manager for the Largo, Fla.-based manufacturer. "It also has expanded capability, in the functionality of the unit."

While the M-3410A Intertie/ Generator Protection Relay is intended for the intertie between the utility and dispersed generation, according to Hartmann, it is also suitable for the protection of synchronous and induction generators. The relay provides metering of voltages, currents, real power reactive power, power factor, frequency and positive sequence impedance.

The relay can protect the utility from having islanded generators on the distribution system after the utility disconnects power from the feeder. This is accomplished by monitoring the intertie for abnormal voltage, abnormal frequency, ferroresonance and excessive power import/export, which can indicate loss of utility supply. The relay also provides detection of phase and ground faults, as well as current and voltage unbalance on the utility system.

The M-3410A relay can protect a generator from abnormal voltage, abnormal frequency, motoring (loss of prime mover), phase faults, ground faults and unbalanced currents. Standard features on the M-3410A include two programmable outputs, two programmable inputs and one self-test out put. The unit offers time-stamped sequence of events recording tot 32 events. The M-3410A supports both 50 and 60 Hz applications.

Communications and control features on the unit are accomplished utilizing Beckwith's M-3810A IPScom for Windows from a PC platform or Beckwith's M-3811A IPScom for Palm OS running on a Handspring Visor or Palm Handheld.

To better manage quality, said Hartmann, Beckwith designs and populates its own circuit boards in-house. Each product is tested before being delivered to the customer.

"We start with design verification," said Hartmann. "We verify design to specification as we develop a new product or a major change to an existing product. We use an outside testing house to do simulation testing. Our engineering department has a test lab, as does our quality assurance area. We test every single unit that goes out of this facility. We don't batch test."

In addition to the 3410 series, Beckwith Electric provides a variety of products and services designed to meet the needs of all classes of customers involved in the production, transmission and distribution of electric power.

"Beckwith is a strong niche player" said Hartmann "Our niche is in the power plant arena. We protect the generator, the transformer--the step up and the auxiliaries--and also the interconnection of generation back to the system.

"The technology life cycle today is about two or three years and then new chips and new displays are developed along with other technology changes. The demands from the user keep requiring more horsepower and more output and input contacts to meet their needs," said Hartmann. "Our philosophy is to provide high quality, high reliability, products and outstanding customer service and responsiveness to their needs. We have the technology capability in-house to develop our own products, allowing us to stay responsive to the marketplace."