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| EBU OPERATIONS WHITE PAPER |
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Introduction
The EBU (Energy Bank Unit) was designed and developed by DMI Manufacturing, Inc. The EBU
is truly unique in the industry, and its features and functionality represent an industry-leading
breakthrough.
The EBU is protected with US and Foreign patents and provides five key features in a single unit:
- • Total Harmonic Filtering
• Transient Surge Protection / Lightning
• Phase Balancing
• Power Factor Correction
• Voltage Sag Correction.
Many in the industry are already familiar with Power Factor Correction devices. These devices
can range from large capacitor banks connected to a main panel to condition a building to smaller
individual “capacitors “in a box” designs that are sized and connected to individual loads within a
facility. Although there are many claims that these devices reduce kilo Watt hours (kWh), Power
Factor correction alone cannot guarantee any savings.
However, the EBU is far more than just a simple power factor correction device. This paper will
help explain how the EBU operates and reduces the electrical utility charges measured in kWh.
EBU Features Defined
As previously mentioned, the EBU provides five key features, all which interact, to provide kWh
reduction. The five features are outlined in Table 1 below.
Table 1. EBU Features and Benefits
The EBU is an electronic device with no moving parts or microprocessor control. The key to the
EBU lies within the patented Iterative Control Transformer. This device interacts with all other
devices in the unit to reduce kWh. This now sets the stage for a look inside the EBU.
Inside the EBU
The EBU is connected at the main with a spare breaker in parallel on the load side of the main or
sub panels. Other EBU connections include a neutral line and at least one very good ground
system.
The following components are connected between the hot line and the neutral line:
- • At least one front capacitor;
• At least one arc suppressor device;
• A transient voltage surge suppressor to suppress undesired power spikes;
• An inductor/transformer;
• At least one metal oxide varistor;
• A second capacitor stage;
• A third capacitor stage in a “Wye” configuration;
• A snubber network;
• At least one arc suppressor device;
• A transient voltage surge suppressor.
may be duplicated to create two connected sets that are arranged for operation as a two phase
device. The components may also be tripled to form three connected sets that are arranged as a
three phase device that includes at least one resistor having a predetermined resistance.
All capacitors have their own resistors to bleed off capacitance and are self-healing.
The EBU also includes a dual iterative transformer that consists of two circular magnetic coil
cores with two wire wrappings arranged in opposition to one another. “Iterative transformer”
means a transformer that acts as a dual choke or clamp and is capable of resolving multiple
simultaneous power issues by iteratively making corrections, and then “correcting the corrections”
in microseconds. In other words, the arrangement of the components in the EBU and these
transformers include means and capabilities for correcting intrusive errors to corrections.
Additionally, the present invention systems, devices, and iterative transformers function not only
at standard 60-hertz cycles but also within a broad range of different cycles including 30 hertz to
100 hertz. The EBU can be installed in many applications with many different load types, and it
interacts differently according to its load conditions. These applications include generators, solar
inverters, power problems and many other applications as demonstrated in the field over a
number of years.
Operation of the EBU
The EBU is connected to the load side of the main panel via a spare breaker. This connection
places the EBU in parallel with the main. If there are multiple panels or transformers located
within a facility, it will require a properly-sized EBU to be located at each panel and off each
transformer load side. The EBU does not condition loads through a transformer. The EBU must
be connected to a neutral as well as to a very good ground system, preferably its own ground.
State and national electrical codes should be followed.
Fundamental to the operation of the EBU is the fact that the EBU is the least resistive element on
the electrical system when installed. Hence, all power is sensed through the EBU on the load
side. This eliminates the need to have an EBU located at every single load on the system like some competitors. From the main
(s) and/or transformer(s), the EBU is able to condition the power for the entire facility using one or multiple units.
Figure 1, below, represents a high level diagram of the operations within the EBU.
Figure 1. High Level Block Diagram of EBU
The Iterative control transformer modules (Number 2) represent the inductor in Figure 1. This
inductor is connected to Storage 1, which is a small capacitor bank (C1). This provides for surge
suppression as well as harmonic filtration. The Iterative transformer is also able to capture lost
energy and store it for future use. The Iterative control transformer and Storage 1 provides for a
voltage drop to Storage 2, which is a larger bank of capacitors (C2). Although Storage 2 acts as
an EMI filter, it is primarily a notch filter stage setup for blocking out spikes with the harmonic
section. The last stage (Stage 3) is designed for power factor correction, working in conjunction
with the other stages. The voltage drop from the Iterative Control Transformer, in parallel with
Storage 1, reduces the size and number of capacitors required for power factor correction for the
whole facility. It also eliminates harmonics and transients that could adversely affect the larger
capacitor bank (Storage 2).
The Iterative Control Transformer also acts as a clamp during inrush conditions. For example, if
the main breaker is turned off and suddenly is turned on, all the loads in the facility would be
activated. The EBU will clip the peak current inrush demanded by the loads by releasing the
power saved by the charged capacitors in the Stage 3 locations.
Operational Scenarios
In order to describe how the EBU can save kWh, operational scenarios are provided below:
Case Study 1: Bottling Facility, Allentown, PA. – Low Power Factor
An Energy Bank Unit (EBU) model C-600 was installed and tested at a bottling facility in
Allentown, PA. A series of timed tests with the EBU both “On” and “Off” demonstrated the
following results:
- • There was a cumulative energy (kWh) savings of 15.8% with the EBU “On”;
• There was a power factor improvement of 28.4%
• Peak current (In-Rush) was reduced by 47.2%;
Bottling Facility (3 phase 480V) – EBU Test Results – March 4, 2009
EBU OFF EBU ON Difference % Change
Voltage 271.10 V 282.06 V 10.96 4.04%
Current 134.70 A 132.76 A -1.94 -1.44%
PF 0.679 0.872 0.19 27.98%
Peak Current 328.76A 173.67A -155.09A -47.2%
Cumulative Energy 13.77 11.60 -155.09 -47.17%
(kWh)
Case Study 2: Fast Food Restaurant – Reduction in Peak Current, Cumulative Energy and
Harmonic Energy
An Energy Bank Unit (EBU) Model C-450 was installed and tested in a fast food restaurant just
outside of Chicago. A series of timed tests with the EBU both “On” and “Off” demonstrated the
following results:
• There was a Cumulative energy (kWh) savings of 19.1% with the EBU “On”;
• Current was reduced by 13.2% with the EBU “On”;
• Voltage was not affected by the EBU;
• Peak (in-rush) current was reduced by 28.0% with the EBU “On”;
• Harmonic energy was reduced by 19.6% with the EBU “On”;
Bottling Facility (3 phase 480V) – EBU Test Results – March 4, 2009
EBU OFF EBU ON Difference % Change
Voltage 120.0 V 119.9 V -0.10 -0.08%
Current 145.8 A 126.6 A -19.20 -13.17%
PF 0.94 0.93 -0.01 -1.06%
Peak Current 421.68A 303.48A -118.2A -28.04%
Harmonic Energy 79.03W 67.74W -11.29W -19.62%
Cumulative Energy 11.0 8.9 -118.20 -28.03%
(kWh)
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| DMI Manufacturing, Inc. Energy Bank Unit (EBU) Description |
| CONTACT ASTERAL ELECTRIC LLC 1-877-240-4199 DAN@EBUENERGY.COM |