Prior to starting the Project design it is most important that you have been given the actual “Background” Harmonic Distortion levels before you add a new suite of non-linear loads such as Variable Speed Drives and Soft Starts, after all you only wish to pay to correct your installation. An interesting point has arisen during our discussions, many engineers assume that because there is a bypass contactor on a Soft Start then it is exempt and does not form part of the Harmonic spectrum this is not the case and ER G5/4 is quite clear on this point.

Prior to a new Project installation we can conduct a Site Survey of the existing Low Voltage Plant Protection and Discrimination.

This is very important, as in many cases the new plant (large or small) is supplied from old MCC’s and Distribution Boards that are not capable of clearing a fault (low or high) or being able to trip the supply device due to incompatible discrimination. This can cause financial embarrassment and time delays if