Automated Control Upgrades
Obsolete Controls and Protective Devices
Paragon Engineering design for a 1990 ASCO Paralleling Switchgear (2021)
Installed Control Systems
(ARE Energy Center)
Across the vast back up power grid of healthcare, data centers, 24/7 critical power operations there are thousands of emergency/standby generation systems. Many of these systems are 10, 20, 30 years old and still functioning. That in itself is a tribute the engineers that designed the system and the field engineers that commissioned them.
The majority of those systems were designed and commissioned by the “Big 3” (ASCO, Russell Electric, Zenith) but there are several regionally based manufacturers such as Shallbetter, Lloyd’s Electric, Encorp, etc
ARE Conversion of the Master Control Enclosure
There are literally hundreds of emergency/standby systems that have components that are obsolete. Obsolete doesn’t mean the system isn’t functional. It means you can no longer purchase that component new and it’s not supported by the original manufacturer.
The Process
Converting a live Central Utility Plant with minimal downtime is extremely difficult. The ARE Energy Center conversion was 3 months in process. The length of time was determined by a commitment of performing the work without a loss of Emergency Power.
For approximately 10 weeks the system was a hybrid of the obsolete ASCO control system and the new Emerson Rx3i control system. The systems were hardwired to each other to respond with at least 2 of the 5 site generators supplying power. The system that was active would control its connected generators, while the system that was out of service had its generators transferring to the new system.
The final cut over to the new control system was achieved by 3 field engineers in (1) eight-hour day.
