Although electricity costs may fall over the next couple of years, they will never return to the price levels we enjoyed. This makes saving energy and the adoption of sustainable technologies of vital importance to business. ABB’s online energy saving calculator is a tool that helps justify the business case for installing variable speed drives […] The post ABB online energy saving calculator appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

With the inexorable growth of 5G and later 6G mobile networks the UK Government has announced the closure of 2G and 3G networks. This is to encourage the smooth transition to faster, more advanced 5G, and public ambition for Open RAN rollout as part of the Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Strategy. A Radio Access Network […] The post For 2G and 3G the writing is on the wall appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

When designing an electrical distribution system, the use of circuit breakers contributes to ensuring safety and power availability. Yet the cost of the electrical infrastructure is also important to control. Selecting breakers for cascading circuit breaker protection, can reduce the cost of downstream devices by up to 40%. Here we consider the reasons for using […] The post Cascading circuit breakers to optimise installation costs appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

According to ABB, their variable speed drives VSDs save more than energy. Users recognise ABB drives for their ability to run motors at speeds that match the demand of the process. As a result, they will lower the running cost. Yet, in addition to speed control, the drives include functions that make many traditional components […] The post ABB VSDs save more than energy by saving cost and space appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

Although UK car demand may be falling, the need for parking spaces remains as high as ever. Town centre parking space is at a premium, so car park operators are finding ways to fit cars into smaller spaces. Improving car park ventilation has an important part to play both by improving air quality and saving […] The post ABB guide to improving car park ventilation and saving energy appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

Circuit breakers in a distribution system will trip in the event of a fault and protect the cables. Circuit breaker selectivity ensures coordination between protective devices so that when faults occur, power continues to all other parts of the electrical installation. The use of circuit breakers has grown as they enable swift identification of the […] The post Circuit breaker selectivity ensures power availability appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

A short circuit in a power distribution board can cause immense damage to the equipment and shutdown processes for weeks. This is important as OEMs and panel builders need to consider short circuit capacity for industrial operations while using less energy and space. According to Schneider Electric, more customers are asking for control and electrical […] The post High short circuit capacity panels optimised by innovative controls appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

  In 2021, the installation of ABB VSDs to improve energy efficiency provided a payback period of three years. This was acceptable as the savings would continue through the life of the installation. However, recent electricity price increases mean that for Severn Trent Water (STW) VSD payback periods tumble. STW is saving 15,000 kWh annually […] The post VSD payback periods tumble as electricity prices rise appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

  Futureproofing manufacturing and assembly operations with cobots is easier than people think. Shop floor cobots in manufacturing working alongside operators are no longer the future, but the present. Whether used for assembly, packaging, warehousing, maintenance or training, collaborative solutions are changing the way producers work. Easy to program and install, they are also ideal […] The post Cobots in manufacturing bring new skills and opportunities appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more

  As we have learnt since 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic is showing no signs of abating. Building owners face the dual challenges of reducing energy consumption while safeguarding the health and well-being of building occupants. VSDs help achieve both by improving HVAC energy efficiency and occupant safety during pandemics. On the occupant health front, […] The post VSDs improve HVAC energy efficiency and safety during pandemics appeared first on 999 Automation Blog ..read more