Here is a list of the most common steps known to enhance Power Quality and Reliability. BGE does not provide any of these products and services, however our staff can help you by answering specific questions on the steps your business may consider.
Facility Power Audits
A facility power audit is the first step recommended in evaluating your existing electrical system. The audit should evaluate internal wiring and grounding, voltage levels, transformers and electrical panels loading, load imbalance, harmonics, and power factor. A comprehensive written report with suggestions for corrective actions, including specific recommendations for protective equipment should be provided.
Motors and Controls Protection
Electrical motors are the operational backbone of industrial and commercial facilities. When motors drop out, your operations are severely disrupted. Worse yet, many motors fail due to lack of installed phase-loss protection. We recommend installing phase loss protection on all critical motors. Some industrial and commercial equipment will benefit from installing ride trough devices on their critical motor controllers. Learn how to protect your three-phase motors.
Standby and Emergency Generators
Changing demands in today's business require that critical parts of your operations have built-in continuous power capabilities, regardless of the utility supply. That is when purchasing, leasing or renting generators makes sense, and making the right choice requires knowledgeable and unbiased advice. BGE will guide you on how to properly size and install engine generators to provide reliable backup power for your facility.
Uninterruptible Power Systems
An Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS, is a device intended to provide continuous, regulated power for a short time under any power conditions, including complete loss of electric supply. These products rely on energy stored in their batteries to generate power to the load via electronics. They can provide power from a few minutes to several hours, most commonly ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. Applications range from backing up personal computers, servers, telecommunication systems, fire alarms, security systems, all the way to mainframes in computer rooms, and even entire facilities. Redundant supplies in combination with back-up generators usually accompany larger installations.
Surge Suppressors
Surge suppressors are the first step you can take to protect your investment in the technology supporting your operation. They are the smartest insurance policy you can buy to avoid costly hardware damage and associated business downtime.
Power Factor Correction
Power factor measures how effectively your operation uses electrical power. Poor power factor means your facility is using and paying for more electricity than it needs while doing the same amount of work. The net result is higher demand charges on your electric bill and overtaxing your internal wires and transformers.
