Eaton Updates Energy Management Software

Eaton has announced an update to its power and energy monitoring software Power Xpert Insight, providing enhanced alarm notification, advanced building integration capabilities, and simplified setup and commissioning. The power and energy monitoring software provides a dashboard view into real-time energy usage, efficiency and power quality.

“Power Xpert Insight software makes it even easier for building managers to obtain the daily information needed to make important operating decisions,” said Marty Aaron, product line manager at Eaton. “The new features will help commercial and industrial customers easily identify energy-saving opportunities, reduce wasteful practices and keep a closer eye on power system status.”

With real-time information down to the device level Power Xpert Insight allows customers to view energy usage and demand data, compare and trend data, and view a one-line representation of their electrical system. The software provides real-time and historical data to identify, track and improve wasteful energy practices. The newest version of the software builds on these capabilities with the Power Xpert Notify system, an integrated program that provides email notification of pre-configured alarms to help users address potential power system issues before they result in unplanned downtime. An enhanced Modbus protocol adapter has been engineered into the latest version of the software to strengthen communication capabilities with equipment from a variety of manufacturers. Providing a more unified view into building status, the upgraded protocol adapter can ease integration into comprehensive building management systems.

Eaton Introduces ESS Plus with Harmonic Reduction System

Eaton announced the launch of its Energy Saver System (ESS) Plus technology in the Americas, featuring a new Harmonic Reduction System engineered to detect and automatically correct harmonic currents before they affect data center hardware and business continuity. As part of its Energy Advantage Architecture system, the ESS Plus enables large, three-phase uninterruptible power systems operating in eco or energy-saving modes to mitigate harmonics, correct power factor and balance loads for increased reliability and efficiency.

"As evident in our research through The Green Grid, one of the industry’s leading organizations committed to data center resource advancement, operating a UPS in eco or energy saver mode is becoming much more prevalent as the need for data center efficiency increases,” said David Loucks, manager, Power Solutions and Advanced Systems, Eaton. “ESS Plus allows information technology and facilities managers to maximize the value and efficiency of ESS in applications where load harmonics, poor power factor, or unbalanced loads exist.”

The Eaton ESS Plus mitigates harmonics in energy saver mode, allowing data center operators to improve UPS efficiency. The feature is designed to eliminate the need to apply additional equipment, such as a harmonic filter or harmonic mitigating transformer, which reduces capital costs and equipment footprint. It enables the UPS to continually monitor currents from the critical load for harmonic distortion. If it detects harmonics in excess of pre-determined and adjustable limits, the system is designed to inject an additional current into the line that’s identical to but 180 degrees opposite of the harmonic current coming from the load, effectively canceling out the electrical disturbance. ESS Plus is available as an option for the Eaton 9395 UPS.

"Energy saver UPSs are engineered to save money and enhance environmental sustainability by reducing data center energy waste up to 10 percent under typical load conditions,” said John Collins, product line manager, Large Data Center Solutions, Critical Power Solutions Division, Eaton. “ESS Plus allows data centers to reap the benefits of energy efficiency in addition to advanced power protection, all together in a complete package with a value-driven price structure for both new and existing customers.”