Black Start Controller
- Safeguards essential DC supplies used in the control of electricity substations
- Automatically disconnects the battery from the load during a prolonged power failure to prevent over-discharging of the battery
- Allows for the remote operation of switchgear during a power outage without the need of a large battery
- Automatically reconnects the battery when the supply returns to allow resumption of substation operation
- Available as a standalone wallmount unit that can be retrofitted to existing substation chargers
- Available as a rack mount unit for integration into PB Design’s range of battery chargers
The Black Start Controller is a rugged microprocessor controlled unit designed and manufactured by PB Design to answer a very real demand in electrical substations in which vital control and safety functions rely on an uninterrupted DC power supply.
In the event of a serious system-wide power outage – which might last for a significant period of time – the batteries maintaining the DC supply can easily become depleted, meaning there will be no power to bring the substation back online when the AC supply is resumed in a so-called “Black Start”.
The Black Start Controller addresses this problem by disconnecting the battery during an AC power failure, then reconnecting it when the supply resumes. This allows the substation to resume operation in a timely and orderly manner.
The Black Start Controller provides extensive instrumentation and alarm functionality, including SCADA interfaces, to indicate the state of both the battery and the controller itself. Local manual override is also available.
The controller is compliant with all relevant UK and international regulations for operation on electricity supply grids and can be supplied integrated with any of the PB Design range of DC uninterruptible power systems or for retrofitting to existing systems.
Uninterruptible power systems from PB Design have been installed in many major infrastructure projects around the world over the past 40 years. The systems have justifiably earned a reputation for the highest availability and performance levels, even in extremely hostile environments.
PB Design is recognised as a leader in the design, manufacture and application of standby power systems. Since its foundation in 1979, the company has developed a leading edge range of battery chargers and uninterruptible power supplies covering a full range of AC and DC standby power requirements.