Chauvin Arnoux’s Julian Grant published an article in the October 2022 edition of Professional Electrician detailing four simple tests contractors can add to their arsenal to bolster their income and beat spiralling inflation and surging fuel costs. The information below is taken from that article.[1]
Read Chauvin Arnoux’s Full Article in Professional Electrician
Electricians and contractors have always been innovative when it comes to finding new revenue streams and expanding their skill sets to serve current needs. For instance, when fire alarm and security systems became available, many diversified into installing this equipment; while others began offering PAT testing in the 1990s when the Electricity at Work Regulations came into effect; then, as technology became more accessible, electricians and contractors started installing audio and video systems alongside Ethernet cabling for computer systems. Recently, solar PV and EV charge point installation have provided additional sources of income. Chauvin Arnoux’s Julian Grant speculates that most electricians/contractors will have tried some or all these income opportunities and may be looking for new ones. In that case, he suggests adding the following four services to your repertoire.
Quick Links
- 1.) Energy Surveys
- 2.) Load Balance Testing
- 3.) Power Factor Analysis
- 4.) Harmonic Measurements
- Test for Profit Summary
- Chauvin Arnoux’s PEL103 & PEL104 Portable Energy Loggers
- Further Information
1.) Energy Surveys
Climbing energy prices and increasing anxiety around the climate crisis means that ensuring energy efficiency is more important than ever, and is a particular point of concern for many businesses. It is estimated that 46% of SME energy use occurs outside of working hours and that equipment left on standby over bank holidays and weekends can add up to £6000 to the average SME’s energy bill; a figure calculated pre-energy-crises!
Portable energy loggers, such as Chauvin Arnoux’s PEL103 and PEL104, provide a precise method of identifying where your customer is leaking energy within their business. Simply leave the PEL to monitor energy consumption at a key point, usually the distribution board, for a predetermined period. At the end of the monitoring time, the PEL will present you with a report. Your customer can use this information to make targeted alterations to optimise their business’ energy efficiency and lower their bills.
8 Steps Businesses Should Take Towards Energy Efficiency
Offering energy surveys is lucrative on two fronts: first the initial survey; and second, the report is likely to highlight areas that you can help to address, for example, fitting occupancy sensors to control indoor lighting and heating, and/or time switches to control exterior lights, thereby providing an additional source of income.
2.) Load Balance Testing
As more premises install high-power loads like EV chargers, the need to balance these across all three phases, even on existing installations, becomes ever more imperative. If unaddressed, unbalanced loads can result in excessive losses, premature failure of three-phase motors, and increased energy charges. Leaving a Chauvin Arnoux PEL in place for a day (or up to one week), you can identify imbalance and subsequently help to fix the issue by rewiring the loads to spread them evenly over the phases.
4 Things to Consider When Installing an EV Charge Point
3.) Power Factor Analysis
Poor power factor usually occurs over time. New installations tend to have effective power factor correction; however, when additional loads are connected without updating the power factor correction or checking that the capacitor bank is functioning correctly, poor power factor develops.
Poor power factor produces a lot of reactive power which is completely useless but costs the same as true/active power. As a result, companies need to consume more energy leading to bigger bills and increased emissions. Using a Chauvin Arnoux PEL to log power factor over time provides a comprehensive overview of the state of your customer’s power factor. It is important to monitor power factor for a significant period as some loads may only operate at certain times or on specific days.
Read Chauvin Arnoux’s Energy Saving White Paper
Poor power factor can be addressed by investing in a new or upgraded correction system. Your customer will quickly recoup their initial expense through their energy savings.
4.) Harmonic Measurements
Harmonics are whole-number multiples of the supply frequency. For example, a 50Hz supply would have 100Hz, 150Hz, and 200Hz harmonics. Non-linear loads, such as variable speed drives, computer power supplies, office equipment, and LED lighting installations, have an undesirable tendency to inject harmonics into the power system. Unfortunately, non-linear loads are becoming more common.
Chauvin Arnoux Explains the Impact Harmonics Have on Earth Leakage
Harmonics produce excessive heat in conductors which can damage sensitive electronic equipment; cause problems such as flickering lights; generate motor buzz, and trigger nuisance tripping in protective devices. You can offer your customers a solution by tracing harmonics to their source using a Chauvin Arnoux PEL. Once pinpointed, correctional measures, such as equipment upgrades or filter installations, may be implemented.
Test For Profit Summary
As illustrated, delivering the above services not only provides electricians and contractors with four additional income avenues, but the results of the tests can also generate more revenue through the implementation of corrective measures.
Julian Grant explains “if you don’t measure something, you can’t control it”. Providing energy surveys, load balancing testing, power factor analysis, and harmonic measurements offers your customers the opportunity to control their energy usage and lower their bills and emissions, while allowing you to take control of increasing your income.
Chauvin Arnoux’s PEL103 & PEL104 Portable Energy Loggers
Browse Chauvin Arnoux’s PEL103 Loggers & Kits
View Chauvin Arnoux’s PEL104 Loggers & Kits
Before you can begin offering the above services, you must first invest in a portable energy logger capable of performing all the required tests. Fortunately, Chauvin Arnoux offers two models suitable for establishing the energy efficiency of single- and three-phase installations: the PEL103 and PEL104. Available as standalone instruments or as part of a kit, Chauvin Arnoux explains the differences between these models in the graphic below.
Further Information
Julian Grant’s full article can be found in the October 2022 edition of Professional Electrician.
Read Chauvin Arnoux’s Full Article in Professional Electrician
For more information about maximising energy efficiency using Chauvin Arnoux’s portable energy loggers, please read our other articles on this topic.
Introducing Portable Energy Loggers: What Are PELs & Do You Need One?
Chauvin Arnoux Explain Energy Efficiency & the IET Wiring Regulations
Build Back Greener After Coronavirus: Use a PEL to Monitor & Improve Energy Efficiency
Our complete collection of Chauvin Arnoux portable energy loggers and power quality analysers can be found here.
Shop Chauvin Arnoux PELs & PQAs
For further information regarding any of these models, please don’t hesitate to contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.
[1] Julian Grant, ‘Test for Profit’, Professional Electrician,38.9 (Oct 2022), 51-52, last accessed 07 November 2022
