With roughly 10,000 annual deaths caused by fire incidents in India in 2020, effective fire detection systems in homes and workplaces are an indispensable need.

One of the most critical factors in determining the extent of the loss incurred following a home or organizational fire is the speed with which a fire is detected and how soon the individuals are alerted. This is also important in determining how easily the fire can be controlled and extinguished.

The first step in putting out a fire is correctly identifying the issue, raising the occupant alarm, and notifying emergency personnel. This is simple to do with the help of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. A Fire Risk Assessment and local construction restrictions, suggestions, and regulations will decide the type of system used. You will understand the significance of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems as you read this article. You will also discover how it works, the types of fire detectors, and the usage of a fire detection system in everyday life.

Fire Detection System in Simple Words

A fire detection system is engineered to detect fires early and promptly, when occupants may still be safely evacuated. In combination with emergency procedures, a fire detection system can significantly reduce injury and damage in the workplace. More significantly, an autonomous fire detection system has the potential to save lives.

The fire detection and alarm system’s primary function is to locate the source of a fire as quickly as possible and then notify the people in the area to evacuate the building. This is accomplished through the use of electrical sensors. Then it emits an audible early warning signal.

What is a Fire Detector?

A Fire Detector is a part of an automated Fire Detection System that includes at least one sensor that continuously or periodically monitors (at a minimum of one) suitable physical or chemical events associated with fire. It sends at least one matching signal to the equipment to control it. The detector subsequently decides whether to sound the Fire Alarm or activate the automatic Fire Protection System.

The suppression system of the fire detector works by detecting either flame, heat, or smoke. Most sensors can sense all three of these elements. The best detectors are directly wired into the electrical system. There are several styles of detectors in the market.

Types of Fire Detectors

No two fires are the same. There are different kinds of Fire Detectors, and the ability to differentiate among them will help you choose the right one for your premises.

• Smoke Detector:

A Smoke Detector is a device with a sensor that detects smoke as the major indicator of fire. There are two types of Smoke Detectors: Ionising Smoke Detectors and Visual Smoke Detectors. There are various differences between both the detectors. They are extremely sensitive and provide early warning.

When smoke enters an Ionising Smoke Detector, it disturbs the current flowing through it. The smoke particles become linked to the ions, neutralizing them. The smoke detector detects a dip in current between the chamber’s plates and sounds the horn.

A Photoelectric Smoke Alarm is another name for an Optical Smoke Detector. Its operation is based on the light scattering concept. The alarm includes a pulsed infrared LED that flashes a light beam into the sensor chamber every 10 seconds to detect smoke particles. If a fire breaks out, smoke will enter the optical chamber through the opening vents. Smoke particles scatter infrared light onto the photodiode light receptor as they reach the optical chamber. When the diffused light reaches the photodiode light receptor, a signal is sent to the integrated circuit, triggering the alarm and alerts the residents to the fire.

The smoke detectors can give rise to false alarms if used in a humid, dusty, or smoke-filled atmosphere.

•  Heat Detector:

Heat detectors detect excessive heat from a fire. They are often less sensitive and offer warning later in the process. The detector is generally triggered by conventional currents of hot air or combustion products or radiation effects. Thermal detectors respond to fires more slowly than other detection systems because this form of activation takes time.

Fixed-temperature heat detectors and rate-of-increase heat detectors are the two most prevalent types of heat detectors. Both rely on the heat produced by the fire to activate the signal device. Fixed-temperature detectors emit a signal when the detecting element reaches a predefined temperature. When the temperature rises over a certain threshold, rate-of-increase detectors provide a signal. The rate of increased detection devices can be programmed to function quickly, effectively over a wide range of ambient temperatures, recycle quickly, and withstand a slight rise in ambient temperatures without raising an alert.

• Flame Detector:

A flame detector detects the presence of fire or flames. They aid in reducing the hazards associated with fire in hazardous places. There are several types of flame detectors; some will sound an alarm, while others will activate a Fire Suppression System or shut a potentially dangerous fuel line. UV flame detectors, infrared flame detectors, UV/IR detectors, IR/IR detectors, and other types of flame sensors are the most prevalent.

They are intended to distinguish genuine flames from radiation released by sunlight, lightning, hot objects, arc welding, and other non-flame sources. False alarms lower productivity and increase expenditures. Flame detectors are made consisting of an electrical circuit and an electromagnetic radiation receiver. They are activated by electromagnetic radiation from one or more specific wavelengths in the UV or infrared spectrums, depending on their design, and emit an alert.

Need for an Effective Fire Detection and Suppression System in an Organization

Fire Detection and Suppression Systems are incredibly beneficial instruments designed to identify fires as they progress in any company. Early detection is crucial for the safety of first responders and other emergency response professionals combating fires. They also help in significantly reducing any appropriate losses. It is feasible to decrease downtime in business operations. Firefighting activities may begin when the fire is still minor. We can assert that having an effective and reliable Fire Detection and Suppression System around us can safeguard us from ill events.

Choosing a Fire Detection System is determined by the situation in which it will be deployed. A hospital’s or assisted living facility’s fire safety and protection goals will differ from an industrial warehouse. In the former, individuals will be unable to leave healthcare institutions. In contrast, people are capable of self-protection in an industrial warehouse.

Our Role in Fire Safety

VNT India’s Addressable Fire Detection System is well-accepted by its clients in safeguarding their infrastructure.

An Addressable Alarm System, unlike a traditional fire alarm device such as a smoke detector, can tell you which device has been activated and its location. As these devices also indicate the appropriate peripheral fire suppression devices installed in the risk zones to use, you can determine the exact location of a fire and assist in extinguishing it as rapidly as possible. Furthermore, an addressable fire alarm system is more effective than traditional fire alarm systems due to its wiring fashion (forming a loop).

VNT India believes that fire safety is an essential component of every facility managed by a large corporation. VNT’s powerful Fire Prevention and Suppression Systems are specifically designed to meet the growing need to protect our assets and human resources in the industry. They promote safety by delivering innovative solutions and unrivalled services in the Fire Safety and Fire Alarm Detection System domain. They abide by all the International Standards for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems as per the NFPA 2010 and UL 2775 norms and regulations.

If you would like to see for yourself how VNT India can help you simplify support and put customers first, write to us via email.

Generating electricity using Solar panels is a clean and green way of energy production as it involves no release of emissions into the atmosphere. Over the recent years, Solar energy applications have gained momentum and will continue to do so in the upcoming days.

Installation of Solar panels at the workplace, residence, or industry certainly helps combat the rising electricity bills and dependency on fossil fuels. In this blog, you will discover what a Solar Distribution Box is and what role it plays in a Solar power plant installation.

For the installation of a Solar power plant (rooftop system) the Direct Current Distribution Box (DCDB) & Alternative Current Distribution Box (ACDB), are the two pivotal functioning components of a Solar power grid.  Why? you might ask. To understand this, let us dive deeper into the science behind it.

Is a Direct Current Distribution Box (DCDB) the heart of a Solar Panel?

A Direct Current Distribution Box also referred to as (DCBD), acts as an interlink between the Solar panels and the inverter. When the Solar panels convert the Solar energy to DC, in such a case, we use the DCDB to control the received DC from it.

The output of the DCDB is an input for the inverter. Besides, it also acts as a protective device as it contains an SPD (Surge Protection Device), MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers), and Fuse. Moreover, the fuse is installed internally to avoid voltage spikes by directing the excess charges to the ground. Thus, it protects the Solar panel strings and Solar inverter from incurring damage. DCDBs come in different sizes based on the load.

Functioning of a DCDB:

1. To begin with, based on the number of strings of solar panels used in a solar plant, DCDBs are customizable for multiple configurations.
2. The enclosure of a DC distribution box is typically a thermoplastic IP65 rated (Polycarbonate). 
3. In general, input for the DCDB includes incoming positive and negative DC cables from a DC combiner box, further connected to the MCB and SPD.
4. Whereas, the output for DCDB includes outgoing positive and negative DC cables to the inverter. Sometimes, a DC isolator may be used instead of a DC circuit breaker. For controlling the DC power at output, suitable capacity of MCB or MCCB must be utilized.

How Different is an AC Distribution Box from a DC Distribution Box?

Unlike DCDB, the ACDB receives the AC power from the Solar inverter and directs it to the AC load via the distribution board. In essence, it divides the primary power information and converts it to the adjacent power units. Within the enclosure of ACDB, we have a Surge Protection Device and MCB to protect the inverter from voltage spikes or any damage. ACDB comes in different sizes; based on the load and the inverter capacity.

The modern solar ACDBs are capacitated with a technology that enables us to monitor power consumption from the solar plant.

Functioning of an ACDB:

The enclosure of an AC distribution box is also a thermoplastic IP65 rated (Polycarbonate).

The input for the solar ACDB includes an incoming (single-phase or a three-phase) cable from the solar inverter, which is then connected to the MCB and SPD. On the other hand, the output for ACDB includes a set of outgoing cables to the AC distribution panel.

Mounting Options:

Since clients’ requirements are dynamic, both the solar ACDB & DCDB boards are designed with various mounting options such that the client’s needs are met. Mounting options such as Indoor Type (Standing), Outdoor Type (Standing), Wall Mounting, Pole Mounting, etc. are widely popular today.

General Specifications of Solar Distribution Boxes:

1. AC Distribution Box:

• Tested & Verified as per BIS, IEC & IS Standards.
• Available in ABS or Polycarbonate or CRCA enclosure for reliability against adverse weather conditions.
• Multifunction meter with current, voltage, power, frequency, etc.
• MCCB/AC disconnector is inbuilt for protection.
• Rated IP 55/65/66/67.
• Fully customizable based on customer requirements.
• Input & Output: Single Phase, Three Phase

2. DC Distribution Box: 

• Tested & Verified as per BIS, IE & IS Standards.
• Fully customizable based on customer requirements.
• DC Switching: DC isolator / DC circuit Breaker for DC disconnection purpose.
• Available in CRCA or Polycarbonate or FRP Enclosure for reliability against adverse weather conditions.
• Rated IP 55/65/66/67.
• Input & Output: 1 in 1 out, 2 in 2 out, 3 in 3 out, etc up to 10 in 10 out.

Need More Help with the Solar Distribution Boxes?

Choosing the right Solar Distribution Boxes based on a company’s requirements, specifications, and quality can be quite challenging. Being the key manufacturer of solutions for utility-scale projects since the inception of our company has provided us with expertise to engineer the best-in-class Solar AC Distribution Box for the Solar panel needs of enterprises. 

VNT is here to assist you in providing the best advice for your business and sophisticated products in the field of Solar technology, Telecom, Fire safety, Lightning & Surge Protection, etc.

For more information about VNT India’s Products and services, visit https://vnt.in/.

A fire can happen anytime; one tiny spark can catapult into a catastrophic fire tragedy in split seconds. The recent massive fire at Serum Institute of India has drawn people and corporations’ attention to the importance of installing appropriate fire safety equipment to protect their crucial personal and commercial assets.

The fire at the world’s largest manufacturer of Vaccines on Jan 22 resulted in over Rs. 1,000 crores in collateral damage and the loss of five lives. The fire, which was started by an electrical spark in an under-construction building, became rampant and required numerous fire tenders, water tankers, firefighters, and other fire fighting equipment to put out the flames for several hours. Because of their effective fire safety plan and fire accident preparedness, the company was able to keep the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings. Furthermore, the installation of fire safety equipment in their other buildings would have prevented any further mishaps. Because such events cannot be predicted or prepared for in advance, fire safety equipment must be installed to protect one’s assets.

Fire incidents should not be viewed solely as a financial loss; they tarnish the company’s reputation in the industry, erode customers’ faith in the organization, and harm employee morale. This kind of suspicion leads to a reduction in sales. Accidents involving fires disrupt business operations and put employees at risk. To establish comfort with and reliability in clients, a company’s reputation should be synonymous with safety.

What is Fire Safety Equipment?

Fire Safety Equipment are devices or systems used to manage and control fires and the damage they cause. Every business must have adequate, fully functional fire safety equipment as a legal and moral obligation. To ensure the safety of all employees and workers in a fire, the government has made this a mandatory requirement.

Why is Fire Safety Equipment Required?

In some circumstances, early fire control and isolation can save the workforce and resources in hazardous situations. The installation of fire safety equipment is critical for reducing these dangers.

Because of the nature of the work environment or the manufacturing processes used, particular industries are more prone to fires. Human casualties are much higher when fires occur in hospitals, hotels, cinema halls, museums, and other places where people are unfamiliar with the premises. Even with practical fire escape routes, this poses a risk to evacuation and rescue operations. A fundamental aspect of building a workable fire safety plan is to introduce measures informing the location where the fire started and address the installed active fire control systems.

Leading Causes for Fire Hazards in the Industry

Any spontaneous fire in industry causes a net income depreciation. In addition, repairs and replenishment costs required for the destroyed property negatively impact the company’s net profit.

• Electrical fire hazards like overloaded outlets, damaged or overhanging power lines and exposed wiring.
• Flammable liquids like solvents, paint thinners, gasoline etc.
• Compressed Gases.
• Hot work like Welding, soldering etc.
• Overheating of equipment and machinery.
• Flammable raw ingredients and combustible dust.

Types of Fire Safety Systems

In India, there are several different types of fire safety systems. Each system is designed for different kinds of fires and environments. The choice of appropriate equipment for your home or business can be overwhelming. The following can help you select the equipment that best suits your needs if you have the same dilemma.

1. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM:

While the aforementioned types of equipment are adequate for protecting your home, traditional fire safety methods have proven inadequate for residential complexes (particularly high-rise apartments) and large-scale industries. Traditional fire safety solutions have the disadvantage of requiring a trained professional to use the equipment in the event of a fire. The following two issues arise as a result of this:

1. A skilled professional may not always be available. This scenario is especially true in the current pandemic, where businesses and industries may be forced to close for an extended period.
2. To douse a fire, one must approach the source of the fire, which can be dangerous at times because fires are notoriously unpredictable.

2. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: They are used for small fires, usually in an emergency, as a last resort to put out a fire before it spreads. A standard fire extinguisher is a cylindrical pressure container with a principle agent and a hose with a discharge pin that allows the operator to precisely aim at the location of the fire and discharge the equipment. There are several types of fire extinguishers available for different types of fire.

3. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS: It is a type of active fire protection system found in most buildings and offices. They are primarily used to detect fire rather than to dowse it. Strategically placed sprinkler heads are connected to a continuous water supply pipeline in the fire sprinkler system. The sprinkler heads contain glycerin-filled bulbs, which expand as the temperature in the room rises. In the event of a fire, the liquid expands, shattering the bulb and triggering the system.

4. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS: They are devices that detect smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, or other flammable invisible gases and sound an alarm to warn people that they need to evacuate. They are only used to issue a warning and are ineffective when it comes to putting out fires.

5. FIRE BLANKETS: Unlike fire extinguishers, a fire blanket works on the principle of cutting off the contact of oxygen from the object on fire. A fire blanket is a sheet of highly inflammable material packed compactly with a quick-release mechanism that’s easy to operate in an emergency. Fire blankets are used to wrap around a person whose clothes have caught fire. It acts by preventing oxygen from coming into touch with the burning object. They are utilized to put out Class-F fires.

Industries cannot afford to take these risks. As a result, businesses often seek fire safety solutions that are fully automated, low-maintenance, long shelf life and are capable of controlling all fires[Class A, B, C Types]  at the source.

Advanced Fire Safety Solutions Available in the Market

With the advancement of technology, it is necessary to revolutionize the sector by introducing fire safety equipment that is simple to maintain, long-lasting, and automated. Stat-X Aerosol Technology is a revolutionary technology developed by Fireaway Inc. after extensive research for early detection and suppression of fire accidents, thereby saving both personnel and company assets.

VNT has partnered with Fireaway Inc. as a technical and business partner, making VNT an exclusive master distributor for Stat-X Condensed Aerosol Fire Suppression System for the Indian market.

Current Situation of Fire Safety Practices in India:

Various businesses have begun to recognize the dangers of failing to implement an effective fire safety plan. According to the ADSI-2019 report, compared to 2018, the number of fire accidents reported decreased by 16 per cent. The data from 2015 to 2019 shows a gradual decrease in the number of fire accidents reported each year.

To reduce this statistic even further, every organization must have a fire safety plan in place. For enterprises and businesses, incorporating innovative fire safety solutions based on cutting-edge technology has a long-term benefit.

For more information on how our solutions can help you safeguard your workplace or residential complexes, subscribe to our newsletter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our way of life and livelihood into disarray. The entire world had to change its ways of interacting with one another. Businesses had to quickly adopt more nuanced and intelligent strategies to sustain their operations and maintain efficiency within the constraints in place – all while ensuring the safety of the workforce involved. Automation has proven to be an essential part of the success of these industries at this critical juncture.

Before delving deeper into the future and scope of automation, we must first develop a thorough understanding of the subject.

Automation – For the Ease of Life

Automation is developing and applying technologies that allow goods and services to be produced and delivered with little or no human intervention. Many traditionally human-performed operations are now more efficient, dependable, and speedy because of the introduction of automation technologies. Automation technologies and processes enable the workforce to do routine jobs more effectively and reliably.

The automation objective is to develop a technical system that enables machines to perform tasks with little human interaction. The objective is to free people from tedious, repetitive jobs that computers can perform better and more efficiently so that they can concentrate on creative and technical difficulties.

Future Scope of Automation:

Automation encompasses all industry functions, from installation, integration, and maintenance to design, acquisition, and management. With all its advantages, automation leads to streamlined and efficient production, with reduced operating costs, faster production speeds, and higher production quality. 

Automation is revolutionizing the modern world, thanks to significant Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Technology (RT) advancements. In India, AI and RT are likely to grow in the next three to five years. Companies and experts in India predict the use of AI and RT to increase from 14 percent to 30 percent, which is greater than the global and APAC (Asia-Pacific) averages. In today’s competitive economy, automation gives you a competitive advantage. As the manufacturing process becomes automated, human error decreases, product quality improves, and cost per part decreases as production speeds grow. Manufacturing quality is intrinsically more consistent and accurate in automated manufacturing. For establishing trust with the consumers, product quality must be consistent, and automation is frequently the only option to achieve this.

While technologies like robotics, machine learning, cloud computing, and big data analytics are already in use in the manufacturing industry, their integration will change the way we do business. In a hyper-competitive economy, automation will boost productivity and reliability. Industry 4.0 is still in its early stages in India, but it is already altering the industrial sector in terms of customer response, transparency and adaptability, and cost reductions.

Case in point, automation made several technological advances feasible despite the continuing pandemic. It is being implemented to increase productivity and safety — a prime example of automation driving progress is DMRC debuting the country’s first “driverless” train in 2020. Recognized as a momentous milestone in the transportation industry, with the power of automation, India joined an elite group of 7% of the world’s metro networks that can operate without drivers.

Furthermore, the Make in India initiative is expected to significantly increase the country’s inclusion of automated production systems. Its demand in the country is likely to rise over the next five years, with significant investments expected in the industrial sector in the years ahead.

Every industry must be ready for this change. The establishment of technology and infrastructure suited for hosting an automated workplace is a must, owing to the need for particular measures to safeguard and manage the setup. Industrial automation technologies can be pricey at first, because it is too expensive to rebuild factories and processes for every modification and design change. To successfully reconfigure an entire production line or process, they must be highly configurable and flexible. But as organizations adopt them, their operational costs are dramatically reduced. One must comprehend the enormous value of making the right decisions when investing in infrastructure safety needs and getting it exactly right. Our organization provides domain experts-engineered services that cater to the needs of an enterprise automating their workplace.

Applications of Automation: 

Automation is present in various ways in our daily lives – from the simplest to the most sophisticated application. With the current growth of technology, automation is present in some capacity in all disciplines and sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, utilities, defense, facilities, operations, and, more recently, information technology. 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES: 

• According to industry experts, India is expected to reach 25% to 30% of GDP by FY 2030, further strengthening its manufacturing sector. It currently ranks third in the world in terms of robotic automation implementation.
• Most industries employ the use of automation in the form of robotic assembly lines. The only human input necessary is to establish and manage the processes. The machines work on the installed programming and convert raw materials into finished goods.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN: 

• Automation has made a noticeable impact in the technology domain, both in the software and hardware, widely due to the implementation of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). 
• IT automation has the potential to save a significant amount of money. Enterprise IT automation limits the number of labour hours required to complete tasks and can boost IT staff productivity. 

• Another new form of high-quality automation is advanced business intelligence in systems-Test automation and Automated website testing being revolutionary changes in the sector.

DATA CENTRES:

• COVID-19 has pushed data centres far past their maximum capacity. One of the fundamental causes of declining productivity was their dependency on human processing. Automation has made remote work a reality- by allowing software programs to carry out the bulk of the data center operations. Digitalization, storage and processing are now carried out using various softwares. 
• It also ensures consistency, reduces errors, improves resource utilization, and helps save financial resources on security by preventing costly data breaches.

HOME AUTOMATION:  

“Alexa, turn off the light” is far too familiar to all.

• The Indian home automation market is estimated to reach a CAGR of 29.8% from 2019 to 2026.
• Home automation refers to creating intelligent homes in which items such as electronic devices are controlled or operated by the user via a smartphone or mobile app. Lighting gadgets, air conditioning units, ovens, freezers, audio and video entertainment systems, and cooling and heating units are examples of smart devices. It uses a combination of hardware and software technologies to control and control devices inside a house.
• Home automation technology allows users to monitor and regulate the operations of smart home devices. In India, the main goals for implementing home automation are security and energy savings.

AUTOMOBILE SECTOR:  

• Automobile automation is the integration of four key automation technologies: machine vision, collaborative robots, artificial intelligence, and cognitive computing. The introduction of robotic process automation (RPA) was a breakthrough in the progression of the automotive industry.

Astronauts successfully docked SpaceX into the International Space Station in May 2020 by pressing a few buttons in a room at the Kennedy Space Center in the United States- a milestone achievement in both space travel and automation.

• The introduction of robotic process automation (RPA) was a breakthrough in the progression of the automotive industry. Self-driving and semi-automated cars use the most advanced algorithms, and are becoming more feasible and safer as automation processes improve.

Automation-Solution driven technology:

Automation has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, assisting in improving production and operational efficiency. Organizations now have remote control over their workplaces owing to automated solutions for traditional ways.

Enterprises will always struggle to advance without innovative solutions from automation industry vendors. Adoption of automated technologies in areas such as power monitoring, fire safety, and energy management, among others, will allow businesses to keep up with the rate at which technology is transforming businesses.

To enquire about how our automated solutions can safeguard your business, you can reach us at VNT India

The pace of technological progress in India puts a significant responsibility on individuals and businesses to utilize the resources efficiently. It is equally significant to opt for security systems to avoid any adversity. Despite these advancements, it is necessary to address the damage that natural disasters result in. Lightning strikes present a real threat to residential and commercial buildings, causing equipment damage, high voltage spikes, etc. Without adequate lightning protection, a strike can easily overload a building’s electrical system and disrupt major components. However, with particular attention and design, organizations can limit the effect of lightning on a structure. This article will address the purpose of lightning protection systems and how SMPS protects your business from lightning.

Lightning Protection Systems: Protective Path to Ground

Lightning strikes are highly unpredictable, but their devastating effects are not. This forces us to take precautions against it. 

A lightning protection system is a device that we install on a structure, building, or equipment that prevents any damage against lightning strikes. It is designed to protect a structure by intercepting such strikes and dissipating the electrical charge into the surrounding ground, thus diverting the current around the building. This reduces the chance of the lightning current rebounding through nearby surfaces and into nearby people. This, in turn, prevents damage to nearby structures through fire or structural collapse.

Tall buildings are highly susceptible to lightning strikes and damage. In severe conditions, overvoltage induced on conductive materials and short circuits can cause a fire. Such fluctuations cause widespread damage to electrical systems and sensitive equipment. This induces ignition of flammable materials that pose an extreme threat to people, loss of crucial data, and business productivity.

Essentially, the purpose of a Lightning protection system is to-

1. Protect equipment and systems from the damaging effects of lightning.

2. Protect building or structure and ensure the safety of the people inside.

3. Mitigate fire hazards or any other severity which lightning strikes pose to structures.

Lightning protection systems include a network of air terminals, bonding conductors, and ground electrodes. These components safely redirect the electrical charge from “cloud to ground” and mitigate the risk of potentially fatal lightning strikes. However, it can be challenging to impede the flow of electric current directly into the ground due to external factors. To disrupt communications through induced electrical surges, one must use lightning arresters. Its link to electric power systems and telecommunication systems curbs the electric current, preventing overvoltage. 

Purpose of a Lightning Protection System

The main benefit of lightning protection is to neutralize the electric current. The lightning system discharges it into the lowest point of resistance in the building, which is passed into the ground. 

Tall and isolated structures are common to get struck by lightning. Therefore, businesses must ensure safety for facilities and places where lightning strikes are prevalent. Moreover, an efficient protection system is crucial for areas having a large number of people. 

These protection systems conduct and dissipate any possible lightning current while protecting the system itself. The purpose of lightning protection systems include:

1. Safety Hazard: Lightning strikes that enter the building expose a significant safety hazard to the building’s occupants. A lightning protection system thus maintains protective devices to minimize the effects of lightning-induced surges on buildings and their occupants.

2. Disrupting Business Continuity: Sudden and unexpected power disruptions due to lightning affects vital utilities and disrupt business continuity and efficiency. A lightning conductor passes the current into the ground that allows the smooth functioning of your business.

3. Protection of Electrical Equipment: While we protect our building from lightning strikes, it is equally important to guard the essential equipment within. The only way to fully protect your building and electronic equipment is by installing a surge protection device in a lightning protection system.

4. Heritage Protection: Buildings and structures of historic importance stand isolated. As these areas are widely prone to natural disasters, lightning protection becomes necessary to secure these archaeological sites. Therefore, we need to preserve them whole and intact.

5. Financial & Data loss: With current discharge involved, damage caused by lightning is often disastrous to property and people, even in a concise duration. Heavy devices prone to lightning destroy the main electric line, damaging systems and leading to loss of valuable data.

A lightning protection system provides businesses with safety and protection as per their requirements. But how do we measure the efficacy of a protection system? The potential for failures with lightning protection increases with the system age; therefore, it is critical to seek licensed and certified professionals. A certified installer ensures safe installment and maintenance of lightning protection systems. It helps intercept, conduct, and disperse a lightning strike safely to earth. This mitigates the risk of a system failure while meeting government standards and certification. 

Safeguard Your Indoors- With VNT

There have been an odd number of incidents involving lightning striking tall buildings and other structures in the past years. While we cannot avoid the risk entirely, we can surely mitigate the risks associated with a lightning strike through risk assessments. According to Indian Standard IS/IEC 62305 for lightning protection, it is mandated to protect a structure against lightning. It is crucial to solicit services from certified professionals to cover all risks, including equipment damage, harm to people, etc.

With VNT at your service, we safeguard your business against the most hazardous weather calamity, i.e., lightning. Our lightning protection systems defend against the threat of strikes to the structure of buildings and their associated services.

We take government standards and business requirements as our priority. Our team of professionals undertakes a complete site survey. With our expertise, we recommend the most suitable technological solutions available with regular testing and maintenance after service. 

To fortify your business against lightning strikes for any industrial site or commercial infrastructure, contact us.

The telecommunication industry enables us to connect and conduct business globally. This sector has become the foundation for businesses, governments, communities, and families to connect and share information seamlessly in today’s digital ecosystem. The Indian telecom industry has one of the most competitive markets in the world. India currently has over 6.5 lakh telecommunication towers and around 22 lakh telecom sites. 

Telecommunication services have contributed tremendously to our country’s socio-economic development. Telecom towers are an essential component of the telecom network infrastructure. They are the most expensive to construct and utilize very costly equipment and materials. With the advancement of wireless communication technology, telecom sites have begun to house transmitting devices like cellular phones, personal communication services, and television and radio broadcast antennas.

Setting up any telecom site necessitates months of meticulous planning, substantial financial investment, expensive machinery, and a large workforce of varying specialities and functionalities. More emphasis is being given to dispensing unparalleled services to their existing customers due to the intense competition in the Indian telecom industry. To yield seamless services, the telecom sites must operate without any problems or accidents. 

This article discusses the major safety issues at a telecom site, how to prepare for them, and what solutions can help safeguard valuable assets at a telecom site. 

What Major Safety Issues Can Be Expected at A Telecom Site?

A telecom site, like any other industry, is vulnerable to a wide range of concerns. Some security issues cannot be identified in advance, whereas others can be anticipated and resolved with a long-term solution. When it comes to telecom site management, only avertable and predictable issues can be addressed through safety planning.

Physical Site Security: 

Telecom towers are frequently erected in remote and isolated areas due to coverage reasons. Because of their difficult and inaccessible locations, such establishments are difficult to guard physically. This makes the telecom site more vulnerable to break-ins and thefts. 

Unauthorized physical intruders pose a severe security threat, whatever may be the motive: trespassing, theft, or vandalism. Since critical telecom site infrastructure requires constant physical security monitoring but are unmanned due to their location, telecom sites and towers are more vulnerable to intrusion. One of the serious consequences of such a security breach is the possibility of disclosure of confidential information and legal implications from lawsuits by an investor. 

Theft of expensive machinery, battery fuel, high-performance batteries, etc., leads to monetary loss and a halt in the functioning of the telecom site. Theft can result in significant financial loss for the company, both in terms of replacing equipment or machinery and downtime required before the site can perfectly function again. Additionally, copper theft is a major issue.

The physical security risks in a telecom site are caused by insufficient and improper access control. Physical security is paramount in telecom site management, where response needs to be proactive rather than reactive. A Remote Monitoring Unit (RTU) on entry and exit points, coupled with a Remote Monitoring Master System, aids in enhancing security.

Environmental and Thermal Challenges: 

Location selection and planning for a telecom site is a strenuous task. The area’s environmental and climatic conditions play a significant role in determining if the selected site is feasible for setting up a telecom tower. A meticulous Site Survey is essential before selecting a location, including assessing natural calamities and damaging nearby activities, like toxic chemical spills, etc.

The most common environmental level that needs to be monitored is temperature. Although industrial machinery and equipment are made resilient; however extreme conditions may pose threats in the future. If the temperature gets too high, there’s a possibility of thermal shutdowns and if the temperature gets too low, there are chances of soft failures and equipment breakdown. If not monitored and maintained, these issues are recurring and can become costly very quickly.

Humidity Issues: 

To ensure uptime and system reliability, a telecom site’s humidity levels must be monitored. When humidity levels get too high, there are chances of condensation buildup. Excessive uncontrolled humidity leads to puddling, which can cause increased chances of hardware corrosion and installation of gas early system and component failure. 

A more significant cause of worry is when the humidity levels dip very low. Equipment may become susceptible to electrostatic buildup and discharge, damaging sensitive components. VNT offers specialized Earthing Study to combat electrical discharge security issues caused by humidity.

Toxic Gas Accumulation and Fire Hazards:

It is critical to protect your telecom site from dangerous gas buildup to save property and personnel. A telecom site is vulnerable to highly flammable hydrogen gas buildup caused by overcharging batteries, propane and methane leaks, and other potentially toxic air contaminants. Because of the confined spaces in telecom sites, fire and gas explosion risk increases as these gases accumulate. The installation of a gas detection and fire detection system ensures a safe working environment while maintaining productivity and meeting regulatory requirements. 

Our comprehensive range of automated fire safety solutions reduces fire-related incidents and events in critical areas. Our Stat-X Aerosol Fire Suppression Systems offer an overall approach to detecting and effectively controlling fire hazards at telecom installations.

Remote Monitoring System – A Comprehensive Solution for a Majority of Telecom Safety Issues

Typical telecom operation assets are spread across many kilometers, covering urban and remote areas. It is not possible to monitor each site separately. Even so, the information available is prone to errors and inaccuracies. A Remote Monitoring System is installed in telecom sites and towers that continuously monitor equipment across multiple locations to address this issue. A competent Remote Monitoring System (RMS) is the permanent solution to the aforementioned telecom site safety issues.

Telecom site automation is a low-cost solution that improves telecom companies’ efficiency in their sites. It addresses safety concerns and offers solutions to improve power, security, and environmental management at remote locations. 

• Coupled with an RTU on entrances and exits, an RMS can efficiently and promptly detect unauthorized personnel entry or unusual activity at a telecom site.
• RMS can also be set up with a temperature threshold. 
• RMS can send out alerts when humidity levels experience a disturbance or exceed the safety range.

Thus, when such unwanted instances occur, alerts can be immediately sent to concerned systems and authorities. Once configured, Remote Monitoring of the Telecom Site becomes effortless.

VNT – Promising Results Guaranteed with our Telecom Solutions

VNT provides telecom solutions for the telecommunication sector to manage various safety issues at remote telecom sites from their network operations centre. We offer flexible and adaptable automated Remote Monitoring Solutions. Our Remote Monitoring Systems would allow operators and tower companies to monitor site security and control site access actively.

To know how our industry-leading solutions can assist you in your business, contact us.

Safety is paramount when it comes to laying the groundwork for an establishment’s electrical network. Earthing, also known as grounding, is a fundamental and necessary part of ensuring safety in an electrical system. It helps in protecting people and equipment as it safeguards against dangerous potential differences. This article discusses an earthing system and its types while elucidating their importance in mitigating risks to make electrical networks safe.

Earthing- A Look Behind Its Science:

The primary objective of earthing is to dissipate any excess electrical energy directly into the terrain. It detects the stray voltages and prevents flow of current through a low resistance wire. Fault currents, atmospheric discharges, human error, etc. are some of the reasons for leakage current in an electrical system. It provides a  path to such unwanted charge by connecting the non-current carrying part of the equipment to the ground.

Earth’s electric potential is zero, so the electric potential of any charge connected to the ground neutralizes. Thus, grounding provides the current with a shorter direct route into the ground. 

Generation of a potential difference in certain points of the infrastructure is common. Therefore, grounding systems guarantees the safety of the people and the installation even if significant potential differences appear.

Importance of Earthing Systems:

Without a doubt, electrical systems are extremely hazardous. However, proper grounding of all metallic parts of the electrical system and equipment helps in preventing the adverse effects, even if there is excessive voltage present, by safely discharging it into the ground. When the system’s insulation fails, it prevents any mishaps from occurring. 

Keep in mind that an electric current of 100 mA is considered lethal to the human body, and majority of our household appliances operate at much higher voltages.

Proper earthing becomes necessary for the following reasons:

• It shields personnel from the effects of a short-circuit.
• It provides the easiest path to the flow of short-circuit current even after the failure of the insulation.
• It shields the equipment and personnel from high voltage surges and lightning discharge.
• It prevents the risk of current leakage escalating into an electrical fire.

Unearthed current can harm the entire network. Thus, protecting our electrical networks and the people in contact with the circuit becomes the priority.

Advantages that an Earthing System Provides:

Even though wire insulation is the first line of defence, the unparalleled benefits that earthing provides from a technical perspective have resulted in it becoming a standard procedure in the electrical industry.

1. The primary benefit of earthing is current or voltage balancing. The earth is connected to the electrical system’s neutral point. Because the earth’s potential is zero volts, it balances the current and voltage between the three phases.

2. It allows businesses to utilize metal in the electric installations without the fear of conductivity. A separate path is provided for faulty current to pass through, allowing its immediate detection and termination.

3. In the event of a voltage surge, the sudden overload can damage devices and endanger human life. Through grounding, the current passes through a different path and has no effect on the electrical system.
   
4. An electrical circuit consists of different transformers that may influence and cause reactions with each other, when working simultaneously.  The earth’s constant conductive nature helps configure the relationships between various electrical sources and makes them easily manageable.

Is Only Earthing Alone Sufficient?

Sustenance and continuity of business equipment or systems depend upon reliable power services that keep the production running. While power services solely depend upon the efficacy of an earthing system. However, the surrounding system highly affects the effectiveness of an earthing system. It deteriorates over time, and the signs of wear are not detectable prior to failure, without a careful inspection. Thus, a routine earthing study is important to ensure the systems are operating at optimum levels.

Given the high reliability and rhetorical infrastructure, combined with the challenges in the maintenance of an earthing system, in-depth inspection and study are essential while meeting the business requirements. It ensures that businesses’ responsibilities and safety concerns for valuable assets are met. 

The main causes of failure of an earthing system include soil resistivity, material degradation, corrosion by stray electricity, and more. Some causes are relatively easy to prevent or mitigate—such as lack of regular maintenance; while others are more difficult to control, such as lightning strikes or pipe corrosion. 

During installation, the location of the ground pit, soil resistivity, depth of grounding, etc. play an integral part. Moreover, a regular study ensures that businesses keep a check on such unforeseen conditions. It is a significant factor in determining the optimum potential of the grounding system and how can it remain optimized even after years and years of its usage. 

Essentially, the study includes research, testing alternatives, and choice of effective measures as per the business requirements. However, it is challenging to keep a track of all these factors without the assistance of reliable and service providers. 

Ground Your Worries: Earthing Study by VNT

Earthing study plays a vital role in the functionality of electrical equipment and structure. It ensures the safety and the longevity of the structure and electrical equipment by monitoring earthing system.

 VNT provides an exhaustive, detailed, and trustworthy earthing study for electrical networks. Our services comply with the latest standards and government regulations. We utilize advanced practices and aid the businesses through integrated solutions. This prevents the possibility of any electrical mishaps and ensures the safety of the business’s invaluable assets in long run.

Standards and guidelines followed by VNT’s Earthing Study:

According to The Bureau of Indian Standards and Central Electricity Authority Regulations (CEAR), businesses need to comply with the following codes-  

1. IS 3034: This standard consolidates the information related to earthing & its study such as design, installation, and inspection & maintenance guidelines. In short, it is concerned with factors like:

• The measurements of the wires, pipes, and plates used in different types of earthing. 
• The regulated use of chemicals in chemical earthing. 
• The depth of burying ground to secure the earthing plate from damage due to factors like animals, rainwater, etc.

2. IEEE 8084: This standard provides information about grounding an outdoor AC substation, either conventional or gas-insulated, i.e., electric grid station. Mainly, it is concerned with factors like:

• Specification of the recommended design features of the given grid. Its safe limits that can exist in the substation even in case of any faults. 
• Providing a procedure for designing a safe and practical grounding system based on the requirements of the system.
• Providing various procedures for measuring and treating soil resistivity.

All businesses and establishments must take care of their assets, including the most invaluable assets- their workforce. At VNT, we provide holistic and trustworthy earthing study without neglecting the required code or regulations to maintain the business standard. With a detailed and personalized study, we ensure that each component is the best for your electrical earthing system. 

To ground all your worries with VNT’s reliable Earthing Study and have your electrical network up and running safely at all times, contact us.

What happens when a module fails in an industrial scale PV solar rooftop installation and goes unnoticed for an extended period? 

The answer is: energy losses that, if left undetected for a long time, convert into economic losses.

Most industrial-scale PV plants equip string combiners and monitoring equipment to detect such failures quickly and minimize the associated energy losses. But what exactly is a String Combiner and Monitoring Box? What other advantages does it offer?

Within this article, we will address the answers to these questions and more.

What Is a String Combiner and Monitoring Box?

String Combiner and Monitoring Boxes (SCB-SMB) are “smart combiners” that collate multiple strings of solar PV modules to give a single main output to inverters. They are solar junction boxes that consolidate incoming power into a single feed and distribute it to a solar inverter, resulting in wire reduction. In simple words, the combiner box’s function is to bring the output of several solar strings together.  Each string conductor connects to a fuse terminal, and the output of the fused inputs is combined onto a single conductor, which connects the box to the inverter.

This is the most basic configuration of the combiner box. However, once it is connected to the solar PV module, additional features are typically integrated into the combiner box, like disconnection switches, monitoring equipment, remote rapid shutdown devices, etc.

What Makes a String Combiner Box Essential for a Solar PV Module:

While the primary function of a string combiner box is to combine the output of multiple solar panels into a single bus, its real-world applications extend beyond its primary function.

• Combiner boxes are useful in projects of all scales. Combiner boxes in residential applications can bring a small number of strings to a central location for easy installation, disconnection, and maintenance. In commercial applications, combiner boxes of various sizes find usage to capture power from varying building types. Furthermore, in large-scale industrial projects, combiner boxes enable site designers to maximize power while distributing combined connections while lowering labour and material costs by distributing combined connections.

• Strategically placed combiner boxes in solar PV modules can help to reduce power loss. The combiner box should be placed between the modules and the solar inverter to maximize output.

• Solar combiner boxes improve inverter protection and reliability by safeguarding the system from excessive current and voltage overcharge.

Adding Monitoring to the Combiner Box:

With renewable energy production gaining traction worldwide, solar PV modules for collecting solar energy are leading the market in many countries. According to an NPR report, system owners are looking for new ways to keep their PV modules running at peak performance with its widespread adoption. String monitoring is one of the most important ways to keep track of solar PV panels and identify faulty components in the shortest amount of time.

1. String monitoring on a solar PV module is incredibly significant for quickly identifying potential power losses in the PV generator and ensuring the module’s long-term performance level remains the same. 

2. With a combiner and monitoring box, you can stay proactive with the least amount of effort. String Combiner and Monitoring boxes supervise ongoing processes at the site and detect if any components have become faulty in real-time. They are especially beneficial when multiple processes fail, which are undetectable to the human eye. For this purpose, our high-performance combiner boxes include an in-built monitor, which streamlines the supervision process, reducing the risk of damage due to leaks, loose connections, and other issues.  

What Should Be Considered While Selecting a Combiner Box?

The String Combiner Box is the first piece of equipment connected to the solar module; thus, its quality should be the most crucial consideration when choosing one. The selected equipment must be thoroughly inspected to ensure that it complies with all the applicable certifications and the manufacturer is an ISO-certified company.

Before selecting a combiner box, it’s also vital to evaluate the project’s technical requirements. Because our resilient combiner boxes are designed to last the life of the solar project, it’s critical to determine what specifications are required so that the combiner and monitoring boxes can be customized to meet that criterion.

Why Should You Choose VNT?

Our combiner box houses multiple vital components such as fuses, disconnector switch, surge protection device, cables & busbars. Furthermore, our string monitoring boxes (SMBs) are a more advanced version of SCBs in which the PCB board/Monitoring board is consolidated into the SCB, effectively fulfilling the following two purposes:

1. The combination of multiple strings of solar PV modules provides a single main output to inverters.

2. Monitoring various parameters such as input string electrical parameters, temperature, fuse status, SPD status, disconnector switch status, etc.

Our string combiner with monitoring box produces precisely measured value recordings of all electrical indicators, allowing you to monitor your solar PV plant safely and accurately. Our string combiner and monitoring boxes have a 100% success rate, so when you choose VNT, you are guaranteed to acquire competent and durable equipment.

What Our Highly Engineered Combiner with Monitoring Box Offers:

Our strict engineering design standards and world-class manufacturing facility at VNT enable us to build superior quality products with unrivalled reliability at a competitive price, ensuring a long product life even in challenging environmental conditions. The following set of features marks our solar combiner and monitoring box apart from the competitors in the market:

• Fully Customizable: Upto 32 PV string inputs.
• Precision: Measurement accuracy of ±0.5%
• Variety: Available from 600 to 1500 VDC
• Competent: Capable of individual string level monitoring
• Quality Assurance: In compliance with IEC 61439-1&-2 standards and 100% factory tested in compliance with ISO 9001:2015
• Competent: Integrated Surge protection devices, built-in touch-safe fuse and fuse holders, DC isolator, among many other components.

Additionally, we back our product with commissioning, maintenance and service support to achieve maximum yield from a solar plant across its lifecycle. 

VNT- A Trusted Name in Solar Solutions

As the photovoltaic market expands due to advancements in photovoltaic (PV) modules, so do the manufacturing advancements in combiner boxes regarding reliability, added features, and scalability. VNT has designed, delivered and installed its string combiner boxes at various industrial-scale projects throughout India. Our SCBs enable you to monitor and measure the system performance in real-time while also ensuring exceptional system safety.

Our String Combiner and Monitoring Boxes are spread across India, installed in solar plants under challenging terrains, high altitudes, and coastal areas, demonstrating our expertise in the solar domain. As key players in this field, we design and engineer solutions for our customers while keeping longevity and excellence at the forefront of our operations.

Our innovative design and exceptional quality in solar solutions were recognized and honored in 2019 when we received the Business Excellence Award in the “String Combiner Box Manufacturer of the year” category.

Contact us to learn more about how our industry-leading solutions in various verticals can help you grow your business.