UMG604: The 5-in-1 Energy Saving Center

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The EN 16001/ISO 50001 standards for energy management systems, in effect since August 2009, establish a robust framework for operational energy management. The primary objective is to achieve continuous reductions in energy consumption and associated costs. Additional savings through reduced eco-tax and EEG levies (§41) can also ensure rapid return on investment.

Operational energy analysis provides a transparent overview of energy supply structures, consumption patterns, and detailed energy flows.

Modern energy measurement devices, like the compact and versatile UMG 604E grid analyzer, play a pivotal role in energy management systems (EMS). Devices from the UMG 604 series are designed for use at all grid levels. With a high sampling rate of 20 kHz, they continuously measure and record over 800 variables. Equipped with a 500 MHz digital signal processor (DSP), the UMG 604E excels in precision and speed. It records energy consumption across various tariffs and tracks standard electrical parameters such as current, voltage, frequency, and power. Furthermore, it captures critical power quality metrics, including short-term interruptions, transients, harmonics (up to the 40th), and inrush currents, ensuring comprehensive insight into energy supply performance.

This data enables the development of cost-saving strategies, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, and the ongoing monitoring of results—all achievable using the UMG 604. With its alignment to ISO 50001 (EN 16001) standards, the UMG 604 is a forward-looking solution that supports exemptions from EEG levies (§41) and eco-tax reductions. Additionally, its integrated web server provides user-friendly remote access to all energy consumption data.

Local storage of measurement data

The high sampling rate of 20 kHz, combined with a measurement accuracy of 0.2% for voltage and Class 0.5 for active energy, ensures precise, high-quality measurements. Energy monitoring across four quadrants, each supporting up to eight tariffs for active and reactive energy, provides reliable recording of energy consumption values for individual consumers or entire grid feed-ins.

Measurement data is temporarily stored on the grid analyzer’s flash memory and retrieved at regular intervals via a bus connection. This data is then stored in a central database, making it readily available for further processing and detailed energy analysis. Built-in redundancy safeguards valuable data over extended periods. With a 128 MB memory, the device can store measurement data locally for up to two years, depending on the configuration. Even if the analyzer is disconnected from the bus or unable to automatically transmit data, the information remains securely accessible on the device.

Extensive Communication Options

The system supports multiple communication protocols, including Ethernet (TCP/IP), Profibus, Modbus, and M-Bus. These interfaces ensure seamless integration into various systems, such as energy management systems (EMS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and building management systems (BMS).

Typically, energy measurement devices are interconnected within a network, allowing data to be automatically retrieved via a fieldbus and centralized on a data server for further use. This streamlined connectivity facilitates efficient system operation and analysis.

To minimize installation costs—such as those associated with fieldbus peripherals—Ethernet TCP/IP is increasingly being adopted as the backbone for data communication. Leveraging existing Ethernet infrastructure typically enables fast, cost-effective, and reliable communication. However, since network analyzers with Ethernet interfaces are often more expensive, budget constraints can pose a challenge.

A practical solution is to implement a master-slave architecture using an Ethernet-enabled master measuring device, such as the UMG604E network analyzer, alongside up to 31 more economical slave devices like the UMG96RM-CBM. These slave devices can be deployed for specific low-voltage circuits. This approach allows high-performance UMG604E network analyzers to serve as energy management hubs at central feed-in points, where advanced measurement capabilities are most critical. Meanwhile, the UMG96RM Modbus devices can be accessed through the UMG604E using its Ethernet Modbus gateway function, ensuring that data from the Modbus devices is also transmitted and stored via Ethernet.

The UMG604E offers a highly flexible architecture, allowing Modbus addresses to be accessed directly by a programmable logic controller (PLC) or integrated into a PLC environment via Profibus. In building automation, the BACnet protocol is becoming increasingly prevalent, providing seamless integration for automated systems.

Stay Informed Anytime, Anywhere: The UMG Integrated Homepage

Imagine this scenario: you’ve just left the office when the first call comes in—production issues, systems are down, or a power supply failure has disrupted operations.

With the UMG604's integrated web server, you can access detailed data from individual measurement points, regardless of your location. Authorized personnel in electrical maintenance or management can obtain comprehensive, real-time insights directly from the network analyzer's homepage. All that’s needed is a web browser and the IP address assigned to the device within the network.

PLC Functionality via the Integrated Jasic®: Enabling Features Like Alarm Notifications via Email
The Jasic® programming language introduces a new level of flexibility, allowing users to customize device functionality beyond the built-in features. Users can create and run up to seven custom programs in parallel, tailoring the device to specific needs. For example, it is possible to set threshold values for various parameters. Should these limits be exceeded—such as in cases of power supply overload, short-term interruptions impacting production, or excessive harmonics reducing equipment lifespan—responsible personnel can be immediately notified via email, regardless of their location.

APPs: Extending Functionality with Expertise
To meet flexible or customer-specific requirements, Janitza offers extensions (APPs) for the UMG604E, leveraging the Jasic programming platform. These APPs allow for expanded functionality, advanced control, and enhanced visualization directly on the device. Each APP typically comprises Jasic®, Flash, and homepage files, which can be installed and managed using GridVis software.

Janitza provides a range of pre-developed APPs, but the open architecture also enables users and third-party developers to create and deploy their own. One widely used extension is the free Multitouch APP (Item No. 51.00.207). This APP can retrieve 25 predefined measurement values from up to 31 slave devices via RS485, storing the data in the master device’s global variables or BACnet data points. Visualization of up to 31 devices is supported, with configuration options for device descriptions and quantities accessible via the master device’s homepage. The master device is automatically detected and listed in the “Device Type” field.

GridVis Software: Energy Management and Power Quality Analysis
In line with Janitza’s philosophy, an "automated measuring system" should go beyond mere energy consumption monitoring. It must address both core aspects: power quality and energy management. GridVis software provides comprehensive tools for analyzing energy systems and power quality, ensuring seamless integration with Janitza devices for optimal efficiency and reliability.

Optimizing Energy Consumption While Maintaining Grid Stability
What is the benefit of optimizing energy consumption and reducing electricity usage if poor grid quality prevents stable operations? The ongoing transition in grid structures—from centralized large-scale power plants to decentralized feed-in systems—coupled with the rise of power electronics and the decline of linear loads, is expected to intensify power quality challenges further.

To address these issues, all UMG measurement devices come equipped with GridVis software, a comprehensive tool for energy management and power quality analysis. This software facilitates the retrieval and analysis of both historical and real-time data. Historical data, such as load profiles, support trend analysis and benchmarking, while online data visualization enables real-time load monitoring. GridVis is a robust platform for automated measurement data collection, evaluation, and visualization.

Key features include a topology view, which offers an immediate overview of the current online status. Additionally, the software generates automatic reports compliant with major power quality standards (e.g., EN 50160, IEEE 519, ITIC, EN 61000-2-4). These reports, along with energy consumption summaries, can be scheduled flexibly according to user needs.

The virtual measuring device feature in GridVis allows for the generation of key performance indicators (KPIs) critical for benchmarking. These KPIs form the foundation for comparing production lines, industries, branches, and factories, enabling organizations to gain valuable insights into their operational efficiency and energy usage.

Reducing Electricity Costs Through Peak Load Optimization
One effective strategy for minimizing electricity costs is optimizing peak loads. The UMG604 features an optional Emax function, which incorporates intelligent algorithms to reduce active power peaks.

Energy consumption fluctuates significantly over a 24-hour period, creating substantial demands on power generation and distribution systems. These peak loads often result in higher costs on electricity bills. The Emax application for the UMG604E integrates advanced control algorithms that calculate the active power trend and compare it against the predefined target active power.

By analyzing the trend, the Emax application can finely adjust operations, temporarily disconnecting non-critical loads according to user-defined parameters. When feedback processing is connected, only devices actively consuming power at the time of analysis are included in the trend calculation or disconnected. For cases where feedback processing is unavailable, users can set a fixed percentage of available power. This approach helps prevent costly random power peaks, unlocking significant cost-saving potential.

Energy Management Systems: A Step-by-Step Approach
While many businesses recognize the pressing need for improved energy efficiency and energy management, there is often hesitation to commit to extensive investments in non-process-related systems. However, implementing an energy management system (EMS) does not necessarily require a comprehensive or costly energy monitoring setup.

Janitza provides scalable solutions for gradually introducing energy monitoring and management. Their approach follows the concept of an "inverted pyramid," starting with high-quality grid analyzers like the UMG511 or UMG604 at critical transfer points from energy suppliers. Installing network analyzers such as the UMG604 at main distribution feeders offers customers substantial insight into their energy consumption, enabling informed decisions about further monitoring needs. In sectors like automotive engineering, energy tracking has even extended to the machine level.

Janitza’s comprehensive product range, continuous development of measurement devices and software, and the expertise of its regional sales engineers ensure a reliable and long-term solution for energy management.