Managing Power Generation and
Transmission Equipment
Executive Overview
Multi‐Link devices have been an integral part of substation communications for over 15 years. Thousands of our devices
are used by over 100 electric and gas utility companies to
provide reliable communications with meters, power quality
monitors, and relays. The Polnet® ACP is also being installed
for “out‐of‐band” network support for “in‐band” communication
networks. Multi‐Link, Inc. has provided cost‐saving management
solutions for telecom and data operations for 22years.
The Problem
With greater demand for connectivity to existing and new data
reporting devices, more access points are required, which means
more strain on budgets. With this unprecedented growth comes
the ever increasing need to remotely access the control interfaces
of the equipment. Engineers and technicians must be able to access
their interfaces from remote operations centers or while on the
road in order to assure maximum service availability.
Cost of Network Infrastructure:
With the number of management interfaces growing,
telecommunication costs to access them are also growing. Some
communication technologies are too expensive and some are
unreliable. Many utility companies are opting for the POTS line
to provide a low cost and reliable means of data acquisition.
However, by using the Polnet ACP, one POTS line can provide
access to 9 devices making the ACP9 an average cost of
$60 per connection.
Limited Resources:
With the fast installation pace of new projects, availability of
support staff is at a premium. Managing remote applications
frequently puts maintenance personnel out of contact for hours,
or even days at a time, frequently at expensive overtime labor rates.
Example: Utility Substation
Remote connectivity to control ports provides access to critical operational information. In applications normally using in-network connectivity, secure access using out-of-band techniques assures substation can become completely isolated in the even of network failure.
Installing a Polnet ACP, a secure line-sharing device, wherever multiple phone lines are required can reduce expenses by thousands of dollars.
Many times each location is able to reduce the requirement for four or more phone lines, saving $200-$350 per month or more.
Publicly owned, privately owned, and cooperative electric utilities are saving thousands of dollars utilizing Multi-Link equipment today, with over 10,000 currently installed. One such company has over 1000 ACPs, saving over $1,000,000 per year in reduced telecom charges.
Example: Utility Substation
Maintenance and operations organizations are responsible for wind farms installed across every-growing territory. This is putting a strain on staff trying to keep up with equipment issues. In many cases telemetry equipment needs to be powered up on a regular basis, after which it is turned on again. For staff trying to keep up with field problems as well as regular operations it is becoming a challenge to do so. For management this translates into extra costs for overtime pay, truck maintenance, fuel costs, etc.
Polnet® ACP
Automatic Call Processor
Benefits
- Saves money by reducing the number of phone lines requires for substation operations
- Reduce site visits
- Centralized control from remote location
- Return-on-Investment within 3 to 6 months
Features
- Extremely flexible touchtone programming
- Remote programming optional
- User defined Security Access Codes to 7 digits
- Broad compatibility with telephony equipment and Telco services
- Barge-in protection
- Dual surge protection
- Emergency Barge-IN for priority outbound calls
- No loss of data throughput speed or integrity…invisible to call transaction
- Toll free tech support
The Power Stone® helps contain those costs. The Power Stone is a phone call‐activated AC power controller used to reboot power up/down remote equipment. Connect The Power Stone to equipment and a phone line to gain complete power control anywhere you can place a phone call. Because The Power Stone is activated with a telephone call, power to the attached equipment can be controlled from the operations center or even via cell phone by traveling employees. The Power Stone makes a perfect complement to the Polnet ACP, providing complete control of remote equipment.
Summary
In today’s economic environment successful power generation and distribution operations will require innovative solutions to keep pace with demand while maintaining high levels of service. Reducing telecommunication costs and making efficient use of resources are key elements stretching budget dollars. Multi‐Link products have been used by electric companies to accomplish these goals for over 15 years.
