Digital technologies are becoming increasingly important for companies' business success. In addition to a digitalisation strategy, these technologies also include the evaluation of data, since data-based services are key in determining a company's future business success. The strategy is also supported by the new VPU AC IoT surge protection arrester, which combines the functions of a powerful surge protection device with those of an intelligent IoT device. At the same time, the new VARITECTOR PU AC IoT surge protection devices also provide top-level protection for industrial energy networks. One thing is clear: Surge protection is continuing to grow in importance, as increasing levels of digitalisation means that the infrastructures of intelligent devices and systems are becoming more and more sensitive.
Solutions from Weidmüller help to identify a company's individual potential for industrial IoT applications, to develop needs-based solutions and to successfully integrate them into existing structures, such as in the case of the project for network-compatible surge protection. With the u-mation portfolio, the IoT terminal and other IoT-compatible products, Weidmüller has already set a sound foundation for its IIoT portfolio. And Weidmüller is now expanding its range to include the VARITECTOR PU AC IoT lightning and surge protection series.
The new VARITECTOR PU AC IoT surge protection devices were specifically developed by Weidmüller for stable 230/400V networks, and provide top-level protection for industrial energy networks. The surge protection for production machines and energy generation plants, including the associated cost-intensive technology, is subject to stringent requirements. This is also highlighted by standard IEC/EN 61643-11. The VARITECTOR PU AC IoT not only provides plants with professional protection, it is also particularly suitable for use in building infrastructure. One unique feature is the real-time status monitoring function, which allows for live monitoring of the arrester. This function is useful when there are deviations from the standard, which are then automatically displayed to the user. The VARITECTOR PU AC IoT records the surge pulses and monitors the status of the protective conductor connection or the history of the temporary surge voltages (TOV). This makes it possible to draw conclusions on the service life of the arrester and to plan service work more efficiently, e.g. in order to replace the arrester in good time when necessary. In this case, the user will receive operating data to review, for example, or will be shown a message explaining that the arrester has come to the end of its service life and needs to be replaced at the next maintenance interval.
It is particularly important to be able to monitor the VARITECTOR's operating status when in use. The IoT function can withstand the lightning current, meaning that the data for real-time monitoring is available again even following a surge voltage. As well as being suitable for applications in building infrastructure, this also opens up a wide range of possible applications such as those in wind power installations.
When designing the solution, the developers attached particular importance to quick and easy cloud integration and communication. One possibility for networking is the quick direct connection with mobile end devices using point-to-point transmission. Other methods of data transmission include transmission via local web interfaces such as routers, switches and IoT couplers.
The intuitive integration into the industrial IoT can also be carried out via web server. Using the MQTT protocol provides the user with the data in the form of standardised protocols that can be easily integrated into the user's existing engineering systems. The MQTT protocol manages and administers any movement of data via the so-called MQTT Broker, with messages being received and distributed directly. But it's not just the standardised provision of data in the cloud that's required for IoT applications; simple and cost-effective data monitoring via cloud services is another crucial factor in ensuring simple use within industrial IoT applications
Regardless of whether data is being used directly on site or being transferred to the cloud, the real-time status monitoring of all important parameters via WiFi guarantees a high level of system availability.
