38
NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, September-October 2013
Benefits of...
(
Continued from page 36)
behind the panel. The “edgewise”
GE180 and the Yokogawa YS1000
are about is approximately 5" deep
versus the new LPD-9, which is only
2" deep.
Q: What are the cost-savings and
benefits of switching from analog
meters to Otek’s New Technology
meters?
A: The average cost to switch from
analog to present digital meters
(ours or others) generally runs about
10X the cost of the actual meter.
However, our new technology
meters are pin-to-pin replacements
for the old analog meters, so no re-
engineering, rewiring, UPS, etc., is
required. For example, to install the
new LPD barmeter, simply connect
the LPD across the analog meter, and
then disconnect the analog meter.
Q: How much power does the LPD
consume versus other digitals? What
is the cost-savings?
A: The LPD consumes about 10-50mW
versus 10-15 watts for other digital
barmeters. This is an energy savings
of almost 99%. Otek’s new meters
might even qualify as “green.”
The LPD series was meant to
meet NRC directive EA-12-051 (NRC
compliance order for Spent Fuel Pool
(AKA “Fukushima learned lessons”)
monitoring) paragraph A-4-6 since it
can be powered by 2 different sources
simultaneously. One, the existing current
loop (same as analog meters) and two, by
the existing battery back-up system (or
USB powered) since it only consumes
under 60mW@5Vdc of power. If the
loop fails, the LPD will detect it, transmit
serial data, and flash its display as long as
the secondary power is available.
As I finished my conversation with
the I&C manager, a member of the NRC
happened to stop by. This gentlemen was
directly involved in writing the NRCs
new EA-12-051 Fukushima directive
which regulates SFP (Spent Fuel Pool)
and overheard our conversation. He noted
that since the New Technology series is
100% signal powered and includes serial
I/O, it could be used for SFP monitoring
with minimum alterations to the panel/
infrastructure. Correct? Normally, no
alterations would be needed if you have
an existing current loop signal. If an
emergency power back-up is needed, as
required by directive EA-12-051, you
can power the LPD with the loop and if
the loop fails, your backup power keeps
it alive so you still get the “Loop Dead”
display and the serial data indefinitely.
It’s clear that as we move towards
an increasingly digital world, old
analog meters need to be replaced. The
New Technology meters just might be
the “saving” grace of Sir E. Weston’s
invention. They make it possible to
offer the best of both worlds in control
instrumentation: they maintain the
original loop powered technology of the
Analog Meter DB40 (2012).
analog meters (a low-cost investment
with a high return, a.k.a. stop breaking
the bank) and are more immune to wear/
tear, more accurate and include data
communication to help prevent disasters.
The New Technology barmeters are
also available for A.C. signal powered
in Volts, Amps, Watts and frequency and
offer an µSD memory option and can be
used as externally powered controllers/
transmitters.
Contact:
Otto
Fest,
OTEK
Corporation, telephone: (520) 748-7900,
Fax: (520) 790-2808, email: opfest@
otekcorp.com.
Analog Meter LPD (2013).
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