Eaton's Power Xpert Architecture Update Improves Power Systems Management

Raleigh, NC - Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation recently announced updates to the award-winning Power Xpert Architecture that enhance the industry's most versatile Web-based solution for measuring, monitoring, connecting and managing power systems.

As part of Eaton's PowerChain Management solutions, the Power Xpert Architecture helps enterprises proactively manage their power systems as strategic, integrated assets, thus helping them achieve a competitive advantage. The architecture enables organizations to integrate multi-vendor power and facilities infrastructure equipment into a seamlessly unified system.

Using Power Xpert components, Information Technology (IT) and facility managers have complete visibility and access to real-time, synchronized power quality information at both the system and equipment levels.

"In most organizations, many elements of the critical facilities infrastructure are not monitored, and those that are monitored may not talk to each other," said Jim Thompson, product line manager, software and meters, Eaton. "Power Xpert makes it possible to see the big picture, to correlate events across the power system and to drill into detail for quick diagnosis and action. Version 1.2 updates to the architecture demonstrate our commitment to help customers proactively manage their power systems."

The Power Xpert Architecture addresses some key issues that result from a lack of timely, actionable knowledge about power quality events. Managers can use the Power Xpert components to accurately monitor power environments, proactively work to prevent power failures and curb the need to prematurely replace equipment.

Power Xpert Architecture is an Ethernet-based management system that provides a seamless pathway for large volumes of data collected across the power system. The architecture is comprised of several components such as software, gateways, meters, switches and network time servers.

Power Xpert Architecture Version 1.2 updates include:

• The Power Xpert Gateway 600 (PXG 600) allows access to critical data for up to 96 Eaton and third-party electrical devices using a standard Web browser and one IP address. On-board Web pages allow for quick network setting and device configuration. Data logging, event notification and waveform file downloads also allow for robust power system analysis. The Power Xpert Gateway 400 has also been updated and now includes a new, more intuitive user interface.
• The Power Xpert Software Server Core Class includes graphical design and usability improvements to the Layout Manager Module, advanced alarm features, software support for upgrading Power Xpert Meters and improvements in screen customization.
• The Power Xpert Meters include enhanced energy and demand monitoring that enable users to "go green" with built-in trend graphing as well as weekly and monthly comparisons. In addition, energy logs are automatically saved every month on the meter's FTP-server.
• The Power Xpert Gateway Series 2000 Card (PXGX 2000) provides Web-enabled, real-time monitoring of Powerware uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) through standard onboard Web pages, Power Xpert Software or third-party software. The PXGX 2000 provides independent and redundant fail-safe network connections for mission-critical and high security environments. The PXGX 2000 provides a central point to connect UPSs to an Ethernet network.

For additional information about Power Xpert Architecture and to download the product data sheets, visit www.eaton.com/powerxpert.

SOURCE: Eaton Corporation