GridSense Announces Remote Communications Capability for PowerMonic Range

Two-way communication for Power quality parameters now available to utilities for unmonitored critical assets

GridSense, a subsidiary of Acorn Energy and a leader in advanced monitoring systems that support distribution automation and grid operations of electric utilities worldwide, today announced the availability of a remote communications module (CH-HS1) for the PowerMonic range of Power quality and Disturbance analyzers.
As a market leader for years, the PowerMonic has provided utilities with a rugged, all weather instrument used to log power conditions and power quality events at substations and at customer sites. The PowerMonic range of portable power recorders offers comprehensive and reliable monitoring of low voltage circuits, supporting a variety of applications, including voltage investigations, load studies, harmonics analysis and power factor studies.
With CH-HIS, utility and industrial users can now access data cost-effectively and wirelessly from PowerMonic instruments over long distances. The remote capability now enables the online monitoring of real-time data and the ability to monitor a fleet of PowerMonics embedded throughout a large area.  In addition, users can now access new applications in permanent or semi-permanent installations, such as the monitoring of previously unmonitored electromechanical relays.
"The PowerMonic has been tested and proven for years as a capable and rugged power quality analyzer for the harsh utility environment," said Lindon Shiao, President of GridSense.  "With the remote communications module, the PowerMonic is transformed from an instrument to an intelligent online monitoring system for hard to access or remote areas of the grid and complements the company's platform of offerings that address the optimization of the T&D grid."
"Utilities are motivated to extend the life and modernize the over 50,000 mechanical relays in the U.S. market," said John Moore, Chairman and CEO of Acorn Energy.  "The remote capability now available makes the adoption of an inexpensive but high performance monitoring system even more compelling.  For as little as $10,000, the life of a $200,000 piece of equipment can be modernized, with its capabilities greatly expanded.  GridSense is leading the way for utilities to increase the productivity of existing assets and stretch their capital budgets to improve reliability."
The communication module is available for integration into new orders and can be retrofitted into selected existing PowerMonic products.