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Schneider Electric revolutionises back-up power system testing to enhance dependability for critical facilities

Schneider Electric™ announced today the latest version of its automated Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS) Test Solution to help hospitals ensure their back-up power systems are always ready to perform and are compliant with all maintenance and testing regulations.  The EPSS Test Solution automates and streamlines test procedures while electronically documenting a wide range of test measurement data points, making it easy to report on emergency power system status as needed.  The solution helps to ensure a facility’s emergency power supply system complies with any regulatory or policy requirements, e.g. compliance with AS/NZS 3009, and helps staff to take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities.

“Manual testing of emergency power supply systems requires extraordinary staff coordination among facility managers, doctors, and nurses, and can cause a host of technical problems if not conducted properly. In fact, incorrect testing procedures can actually make a back-up power system less reliable by compromising the components of the system,” said David Gardner, Vice President, Power Business, Schneider Electric Australia. “Our EPSS Test Solution streamlines the test process and ensures that it is done correctly. And by rendering manual EPSS testing obsolete, it frees up staff to focus on other, more critical duties.”

The Schneider Electric EPSS Test Solution monitors and controls key elements of a hospital’s EPSS and helps to reduce the risks associated with back-up power system failure, including liability that could arise from harm to patients caused by such an event.  The solution assists key personnel to ensure secure, reliable back-up power is always available by collecting data from and providing control for components such as generators and automatic transfer switches in order to validate their function.  The EPSS Test Solution verifies automatic transfer switch (ATS) performance and ensures that back-up generator testing occurs at or above minimum recommended manufacturer ratings for load and engine temperature, thereby eliminating many barriers that can decrease system reliability.  Its automated testing capabilities significantly reduce the likelihood of human error — a factor in up to three per cent of serious preventable adverse patient safety events annually.

Going a step further, the EPSS Test Solution uniquely integrates an energy efficiency evaluation into the testing process.  The EPSS Test Solution offers two optional levels of evaluation that include alarming, power quality analysis, transient capture on generators, and breaker status monitoring. 

“The information is there for cost savings through more efficient equipment operation, peak shaving, and load shedding opportunities.  Our EPSS Test Solution taps into it and allows hospitals to maximize their power distribution system,” said Gardner. 

As well, the EPSS Test Solution can be part of a larger monitoring system that can verify utility costs and look at power quality from the utility service entrance right through final distribution to critical equipment, like MRI or CAT scan machines.