Power Logging Surveys & Electrical Load Monitoring

Let’s chat about why you might consider getting a power logging or an electrical load monitoring survey done for your business or industrial premises.

In the realm of electrical management, comprehending where and how power is consumed within your premises is not just beneficial; it’s crucial. Whether it’s a commercial space or an industrial setup, getting a clear picture of your electrical load serves several key objectives.

1. Preparation for Electrical Upgrades: Prior to upgrading your electrical services, a deep understanding of your existing system’s capacity is essential. It’s like knowing the strength of your foundations before adding another floor to your building. An accurate assessment of your current electrical load provides a roadmap for safe and efficient upgrades.

2. Incorporating Additional Equipment: Considering adding new equipment like electric vehicle chargers, refrigeration chillers, or air source heat pumps? It’s vital to first understand the capacity of your existing electrical system. This knowledge ensures that your system can handle these additions without overloading, much like making sure your boat can handle extra passengers before inviting them on board

3. Energy Cost Reduction: To slash your energy bills and reactive charges, you need to know where your power is going. Identifying high-consumption areas or inefficient usage patterns is the first step in implementing cost-saving measures. It’s akin to plugging the leaks in a ship to prevent it from sinking.

4. Safety and Balance: Understanding the balance and loading of your electrical services is paramount for safety. An overloaded or imbalanced system can lead to hazards such as electrical fires. Knowing your electrical load is like understanding the weight distribution on a plane; it’s critical for a safe journey.

5. Planning for Renewables and Energy Efficiency: If you’re eyeing a greener, more sustainable future for your workplace, start with an accurate assessment of your current energy use. This serves as a baseline for calculating the impact of renewable energy sources or energy-saving measures, much like needing a map before charting a new course.

In summary, understanding the electrical load in your premises is fundamental for efficient upgrades, safe additions of new equipment, cost savings, ensuring safety, and planning for a sustainable energy future.

It’s the cornerstone of smart, safe, and sustainable electrical system management.

What are the stages of a Power Logging Survey

1. Initial Assessment and Planning

• Before diving into the technical aspects of a Power Logging Survey, it’s essential to address several preliminary considerations to ensure a smooth and efficient process:
  • Identify Objectives: Clearly define the goals of the survey, whether it’s pinpointing energy inefficiencies, accommodating additional electrical load, or ensuring overall electrical safety.
  • Survey Planning: Determine the scope of the survey, identifying specific circuits or entire distribution systems that require monitoring.
  • Site Access Details: Obtain detailed information about site access. This includes identifying the best times for access, any restrictions on site access hours, and the specific locations where the power loggers will be installed.
  • Need for Inductions and Training: Determine if there are any site-specific inductions or safety training sessions that the team needs to complete before accessing the site. This is common in industrial settings or construction sites.
  • Hire of Access Equipment: Assess the need for any special access equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, or cherry pickers, especially for installations at height or in hard-to-reach areas.
  • Security Clearances: In certain environments, like government buildings or high-security facilities, arrange for the necessary security clearances for all team members involved in the survey.
  • Coordinate with Facility Managers: Engage with the facility management team to understand any operational constraints and ensure minimal disruption during the survey.

  By thoroughly addressing these logistical and preparatory aspects, wer can pave the way for a successful and unobtrusive Power Logging Survey. It’s about laying the groundwork to ensure that once the technical work begins, it proceeds as seamlessly and efficiently as possible.

2. Installation of Power Loggers

• Select Appropriate Equipment: Choose power loggers suitable for the types of measurements you need, such as voltage, current, power factor, and energy consumption.
• Install Loggers: Place the loggers strategically across the electrical distribution system. This should be done by a qualified electrician to ensure accurate data collection and safety.

3. Data Collection Phase

• Monitor and Record: Let the power loggers record the electrical parameters over a set period. This could range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the objectives of the survey.
• Ongoing Checks: Regularly check the loggers to ensure they are functioning correctly and capturing data as expected.

4. Data Analysis

• Download and Compile Data: Retrieve the data from the loggers and compile it for analysis.
• Analyze Electrical Usage: Use specialized software or analytical tools to interpret the data. Look for patterns in energy consumption, peak demand times, and potential inefficiencies or anomalies.

5. Report Generation

• Prepare Detailed Report: Create a comprehensive report that includes findings, graphs, and analysis. The report should provide actionable insights and recommendations based on the data.

6. Review and Recommendations

• Discuss Findings: Review the report with key stakeholders, discussing the implications of the findings.
• Make Recommendations: Based on the survey results, suggest measures to improve energy efficiency, safety, or prepare for future upgrades. This might include changes in equipment usage, system upgrades, or maintenance needs.

7. Implementation of Changes

• Plan Implementation: Develop a plan to implement the recommended changes.
• Monitor Impact: After making changes, continue to monitor the system to assess the impact of the implemented measures.

8. Regular Updates and Follow-up Surveys

• Schedule Regular Surveys: To continuously optimize and maintain efficient power usage, plan for regular power logging surveys.
• Update as Needed: As your facility grows or changes, update your power logging practices to reflect new needs or conditions.

Conducting a Power Logging Survey is a systematic and detailed process, but the insights gained are invaluable for efficient energy management and electrical system optimisation.

It helps in making informed decisions, ensuring safety, and planning for future needs in a data-driven manner.

Remember, the key to a successful survey lies in thorough planning, accurate data collection, and insightful analysis.