Following the launch of a brand new product, designed to help overcome some of the safety risks associated with neutral current diversion, we put the questions to Richard Winter, Director at matt:e, to discover why Guardian really could be an industry angel.
Q. How common are faults on the electricity supply network, and what issues/dangers can arise from such a fault?
In an article published by Engineering & Technology earlier this year (https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/ 2023/02/industry-must-acknowledgedangerous- network-fault-warn-experts/) it was stated that electrical experts, including a former employee of one the UK’s major power networks, have said that there is a real risk of deadly gas explosions and fires in the UK due to an increasingly common fault on the electricity network.
The experts in question argue that the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) must acknowledge the risks of neutral current diversion (NCD) so that a programme of testing can be implemented and lifesaving upgrades be made to the grid.
An NCD can occur on the network when the combined protective earthing and neutral (PEN) conductor fails. The current is then diverted by making a circuit via exposed metalwork on buildings including gas, water and oil pipes. This can lead to a significant build-up of heat, leading to fires and gas explosions.
Last year, Engineering & Technology revealed that the reports of broken PEN conductors had increased by more than eight times over the last 18 years in the UK – from 57 in 2003 to 474 reports in 2021.
Q. Tell us more about your own solution – Guardian – and what it is designed to do.
We all rely on electricity to power our homes and businesses but what happens if there is a fault on the electricity network that supplies a property?
Bad connections or breakages in the supply Neutral conductor in a TN or TT system can cause excessive voltages in the electricity supply which can lead to the premature aging or even destruction of equipment, increasing electrical consumption and creating a potential fire risk.
A fault on the electricity network could lead to one or more of the following:
- Overheating of electrical installations and appliances
- Premature equipment failure
- Serious damage or destruction of appliances
- Potential fire hazard
- Danger of electrocution
Furthermore, a broken Neutral on a TN system can lead to an electric shock if any metallic parts, including gas pipework and any bonded appliances, are touched by a person in simultaneous contact with general mass of Earth.
Unfortunately, MCBs and RCDs currently used do not detect this fault and will not offer any protection.
Incorporating the patented O-PEN technology, the Guardian is simply installed next to existing distribution boards, constantly monitoring the electricity supply to, and the electrical infrastructure of, a building.
It will help to detect faults and safely isolate or warn the building owner of any potential fault before catastrophic failure occurs, including:
- Loss of Neutral
- Broken PEN conductor, TN-C-S supply
- Voltage on protective earth/ground conductors
- High and low line voltages
- High and low frequency
GUARDIAN FEATURES & BENEFITS
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Simple installation and commissioning
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Visual display of alerts and status
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Ethernet connection to cloud based platform
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Modbus connection for 3rd party building management systems
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Standard one-year parts warranty
Q. How does an electrical installer fit the product?
The Guardian is designed to be installed next to the existing distribution boards, so is very simply connected to the 3-phase supply.
Q. Does the product only notify the end user that there may be an issue with the electricity supply, or is it able to inform multiple parties?
The device will show visual alerts on the screen and can connect to the cloud-based platform (subscription required), allowing you to remotely view the device. From here, alerts can be sent to the user or maintenance company via email and SMS. You can, therefore, have multiple users per device.
Q. Are there certain types of installation where this product will prove particularly useful?
The product is useful for any installation where the customer and/or installer wants to add additional protection from faults that can occur (and are on the rise) on the Network. For those working in the EV industry and involved in charge point installations, the product will also resonate significantly.
Depending on the required function, the earthing/grounding terminal can be connected as usual from the supply circuit being protected or alternatively can be used as a separate sensing circuit to measure voltage on any conductive part, metallic fencing etc., which under normal circumstances would not be live.
Q. Is the product a ‘one size fits all’ solution?
Yes. As it is parallel connected, it can be installed on a 400V 3-phase installation of any size.
Browse the Guardian product specification sheet here
