One of the most necessary resources used by mankind today is electricity. Having a constant flow of electrical energy, whether at home, in commercial or industrial spaces, is key for the correct operation of equipment that, on many occasions, needs to be on all the time.
Premises such as hospitals, shopping malls or industrial facilities, use equipment and machines that require a stable voltage power supply and a correct current flow to avoid internal damage or power losses. To ensure this, having an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) is the best option.
What is an AVR?
According to the Federal Electricity Commission of Mexico (CFE), an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) is a device that is responsible for maintaining a stable voltage in a power generation unit. It does this by comparing the actual voltage coming out of the unit with the ideal level to be achieved and adjusts the excitation system so that power production remains within those parameters.
Recall that voltage variations can cause problems in critical equipment such as air conditioning systems in shopping malls or even in servers, banks and data centers. These equipment, for example, should be accompanied by an AVR to have a stable power supply and avoid interruptions in its operation.
What is the function of an AVR?
The main function of an AVR is to maintain the voltage within the appropriate levels ensuring that equipment receives a constant voltage and is protected from electrical fluctuations. However, the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) performs additional functions, such as:
- Protecting equipment connected to the generator from damage caused by overvoltage or undervoltage.
- It improves the useful life of the equipment by preventing overloads or sudden voltage variations in industrial equipment.
AVR Controller Features
AVRs have several features that make them indispensable for industrial and commercial spaces, where the quality and constant flow of electricity is paramount in the operation. Some of the most relevant features of automatic voltage regulators are:
- Wide voltage range: they have the ability to regulate large voltage ranges and adapt to different conditions of the electrical network.
- Fast response time: they detect and correct voltage variations efficiently with regulation speeds of 20 Volts/sec.
- Compatible with other equipment: AVRs can be used in various applications, from lighting systems to industrial machinery.
- Robust and flexible design: automatic voltage regulators are available that can be configured to suit different types of generators and are also designed to work in demanding environments with high levels of harmonic current distortion or regenerative power.
- Communication: AVRs include interfaces for monitoring.
AVR applications
An AVR regulator has applications in various sectors and accompanies other electrical equipment. Among the most common are
- Industrial equipment that needs a reliable power source to avoid operational failures such as motors, compressors or pumps.
- Lighting systems in commercial or industrial spaces as internal or external lamps, alarms, or surveillance cameras require unvarying power.
- Critical infrastructures such as data centers, hospitals or banking centers. There they use AVR regulators to ensure stable power supply and thus prevent failures in their operations.
Success story Liverpool with AVR regulator
An example of a successful implementation in Mexico is the project carried out at the well-known department store chain Liverpool. The objective at the headquarters in Jilotepec, State of Mexico, was to stabilize the power supply at the output of the substations to protect all the loads of the “Plataforma Logística Arco Norte”, which has lighting systems, robotics and automation of the new logistics hub. For this purpose, AVR regulators were installed with a total capacity of 17,900kVA.
With the implementation of AVRs, the Liverpool store in Jilotepec, not only managed to stabilize the power supply, but also optimized the performance of its equipment, which resulted in a reduction of maintenance and operating costs.
