IoT enabled remote monitoring T&M solutions is the new trend

Explaining the ongoing digital trends in the T&M sector, Narendra Goliya, Chairman Managing Director, Rishabh Instruments Pvt. Ltd. tells EPR about their Power clamp meter with bluetooth communication and Android app for remote ad online monitoring services in T&D sector.

How do you see the importance of effective testing and measurement in the T&D system?

T&D sector is a very crucial sector, rather it’s a back bone to keep things running and powered up all the time. Hence it becomes all the more vital to effectively test the devices used in T&D sector! The devices used in the T&D sector are generally capital devices like Transformers, CT/ PTs, Circuit Breaker, and Isolators etc. Hassle-free functioning of these devices helps in ensuring all-time availability of critical power. The damage of any device due to the poor quality or life deterioration over a period of time can cost huge losses. Therefore, periodic, predictive testing of key devices in the T&D sector is most essential aspect to keep the system up and running.

Let’s consider an example wherein insulation resistance of a distribution transformer is to be measured and the customer is using a low quality, unreliable Insulation Tester. The wrong reading indicated by the unreliable Insulation Tester would lead to a wrong assumption and eventually the transformer would go under the breakdown. It would defeat the whole purpose of the testing and it can also cause a danger to human life. Hence the necessity is not only to have a periodic testing but to have it with most accurate and reliable devices.

What are the new solutions trending in T&M in power transmission and distribution? 

Many solutions have been trending in T&M in power transmission and distribution sector. One of the new trends is IoT enabled devices helping in remote and online monitoring of the power sector devices. The hand held and desktop instruments with the bluetooth technology is also an upcoming trend to avoid the physical contact with the devices under test. 

The data logging and data analysis with the help of software is the way forward. Touch screen displays on the measurement instruments are gaining more acceptances over the conventional displays due to their user friendliness, reliability and aesthetic appeal.

What are the products and solutions from the company? 

Rishabh products are well known in the field of Test and Measurement due to their unmatched reliability and ruggedness. Rishabh has recently come up with the next generation 5kV/10kV digital insulation testers. These products are completely suitable for field testing and have proven their mettle in the worst test conditions. Today they are one of the most reliable devices when it comes to the Insulation Measurements in the high induction areas. The products before launch have gone through rigorous field testing so they become completely compatible up to 765kV levels. These new insulation testers are complemented with 8m. A noise rejection current and filter to remove the noise effect during the testing. These devices offer a touch screen facility and an audio read out facility that announces the results making the instrument user friendly like never before! Also it comes with a mobile app facility, which allows the user to operate instrument via mobile phones. This enhances the safety of user. Along with this Rishabh is planning to come up with a Power clamp meter with Bluetooth communication and Android app which makes power measurement safe and easy. The state-of-the-art Solar Clamp meter having 1500V and 1500A AC/DC measurement range is just around the corner. 

We have plans to come up with more products required by T&D sector so as to cater the requirements of this sector and become a prominent choice for the customers. Apart from this, we also have a concrete product roadmap till FY-2025 to consolidate our position in this market. 

What opportunities do you see for advanced T&M solutions in the future for the T&D sector?

The customer requirements are changing very fast due to changing needs and applications. This brings lot opportunities on the table to develop the new products as per the changing market needs. We believe in providing the products as per the customer needs but at the same time to bring something extremely new or path breaking which shall change the way we operate the instruments today! This thought process opens the doors for the new and advanced solutions. 

There are many opportunities coming up since the government recently announced huge investments and expansion plans in this sector. Also with increasing demands, this sector has become very progressive in adapting the modern and sophisticated solutions offered by different T&M companies. Yet there are various areas especially user and installation safety, losses reduction, reduced break down costs, etc., need an attention. 

IoT enabled solutions, data logging and data analysis (as mentioned above) are the future growth avenues with more and more emphasis on key aspects like product reliability, ruggedness, safety, compliance to international standards and easy user interface. At Rishabh we are committed to be the prominent player of the future growth story.