Reliable Back-Up Power – end to end UPS and critical power solutions.
Special Thanks To James Abbey - Director at BCL Power Ltd
BCL Power Ltd was established in 1994 as a telecoms battery service company, and was originally called Brett Communications Ltd. In 2017 we decided to change our name to BCL Power Ltd to suit our business more.
Today, the company offers complete end-to-end solutions for UPS (uninterruptable power supply) Systems and standby battery power equipment, including the supply, installation, maintenance and support on critical power solutions.
Over the last 24 years, we are very proud to have been involved with some of the leading critical power manufacturers including APC, Riello, Eltek and Enersys Batteries.
The core of BCL Power’s customer’s range from telecom providers to banking, education, government authorities and NHS trusts.
As the rail industry looks to improve its data management systems via reliable standby battery solutions, BCL Power knows how to help! With significant success over the last few years as the UK distributors of Midtronics Stationary Power (who supply battery management solutions), BCL Power is now looking towards the rail industry as a potential opportunity for future growth.
James Abbey, Director at BCL Power, explains the lack of awareness towards the importance of ensuring regular testing and maintenance of batteries, “we have seen a real problem, where people have had services on their UPS system, but not had an actual test on their batteries,” he says. “We can’t stress the importance of regular battery maintenance and testing, it is really simple and is the key component within a battery back-up system.
If you don’t have them tested regularly, then you don’t know the condition of them. And if you don’t know the condition of them, you don’t know if they’re going to work when needed. Therefore, it’s so important that clients can get accurate and efficient information about their systems, and therefore prevent any issues that could occur. In delivering these solutions, BCL Power excels within the industry with its supplier relationships.”
“As the UK distributor to Midtronics Stationary Power, this really gives us a push over our competitors because we not only provide the battery management service, but also the tools to test them.” explains James.
One of the problems across all sectors is that there is currently a lack of integration between the way companies test with one device and monitor with another, resulting in multiple streams of data, which then have to be analysed separately.
“All Midtronics Stationary Power equipment reports into one system. This means that it is possible to get the data back to the clients quickly and efficiently,” adds James.
Often replacing a battery system can set a company back between £500 and £10,000. With this management system in place it allows companies to predict failure and therefore budget effectively for new battery systems.”
Battery Testing & UPS Maintenance From BCL Power & Midtronics
It is with the above solution that BCL Power Ltd proposes its services to the rail industry.
“Currently, the rail industry will have a monitoring system from one company that focuses on remote batteries at switching sites and telephone exchanges. In addition to this, the guys who go out to the field will likely be testing batteries with a different system. All this data is then extracted and analysed by someone else who can then make a decision on whether the batteries need changing or if they are ok.
With the Midtronics Stationary Power equipment, there is a central server, which can collate all information from all sites, whether it be from engineer tests or from monitoring remote sites, which can then also cut down on service visits.
Midtronics Stationary Power Battery testers allow management teams in the rail industry to predict when the batteries will need changing more accurately, rather than waiting for a test to say that they’ve already failed.
Focusing on the rail industry is a smart and reactive move by the BCL Power team considering a current push within the industry to integrate data management with operations in order to improve reliability and therefore customer satisfaction.
Midtronics Celltron Advantage – Modular Battery Analysis System
Having now sold many Midtronics testers to Network Rail through a third party, BCL Power sees the potential for its management systems to also be put in place to help drive maintenance efficiencies throughout the rail network.
“As a nation we are putting more pressure on the power grid and this brings its challenges. People are becoming more reliant on back-up battery solutions,” comments from James, who sees big opportunities in the near future.
“Going forward, it is worth companies investing in a good battery management programme. For instance, if stations and signalling applications are relying on standby battery power in case of a power cut, how do they know they will work every time?”
As far as BCL Power’s own future is concerned, the company is very much focused on expanding its target markets to become increasingly aware of the importance of battery management.
“Over the next 12 months, we are looking at having a hosted service. If clients haven’t got the employees to manage the data, we can provide a secure management service where we collect the information remotely and can highlight problems for them.
We can then inform them of the best way to proceed. With a unique position in the market and a strong product and service offering, BCL Power is well placed in an economy where future power sources are uncertain.”
Contact BCL Power
Unit 13 Beaufort Court, Roebuck Way, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK5 8HL United Kingdom
System Integrity Assured | Be Sure Your Battery Backup System Works When You Need It The Most | Telecommunications Battery Monitoring | Midtronics https://t.co/suQX5aqKBd by @MidtronicsSP pic.twitter.com/338rbluQPC
— Franklin Electric Grid Solutions (@FranklinGrid) January 17, 2018
THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Earthing & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.
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Special Thanks To Ian Griffiths - Earthing System Design HV
In this Guest Blog from Ian Griffiths (GreyMatters Principal Partner) we learn how and why GreyMatters are revolutionising earthing system design and changing the status quo to protect our homes, businesses and industries from the harmful effects of uncontrolled releases of High Voltage HV electrical system power, including lightning strikes.
Below Ian discusses the successes of the last year at GreyMatters.
Lightning Strikes The Burj Khalifa
Well, 2017 was an exciting year for the team GreyMatters. So, at the end of 2016, we set goals on what we wanted to achieve in 2017. The biggest success story which is probably closest to my heart is smashing the previous year’s lives-protected by High Voltage Earthing/Grounding Design.
High Voltage Earthing
“Saving Lives” Explained
Above is a 2-minute explanation video on how we get to the lives protected numbers.
By-the-way, all rail sector work is ignored as this would add millions to the figures – which is great, but, for the purposes of catching the underlying trend for less populous work, it is not so helpful.
It’s an interesting dilemma, given that personally, my goal is to know that somewhere out there our work in Earthing/Grounding Design, has saved at least one person’s life.
And based on the HSE.gov.uk’s statistics for the UK, the rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers is at 0.4 (2017); 6% (8) of those who sadly died last year (137) was as a result of electrocution, which means statistically in our population of 498,500 workers, we have still have got work to do! Given, we’ve influenced just under 1/8 of a worker’s life during 2017, we need to reach a figure closer to 4.16m workers to claim our first life saved.
Cumulatively, since we’ve been recording lives-protected, GreyMatters has recorded 1.4m which equates to a little over 1/3 of a life saved (statistically speaking of course).
Other Earthing News
Without wanting to sound too GreyMatters-centric – we upgraded the business systems to full UKAS accreditation for ISO9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001. This is pretty unique as it makes GreyMatters the only independent specialist Earthing/Grounding Design Consultancy to be fully UKAS accredited – part of being a Top 1% specialist consultancy.
About GreyMatters
GreyMatters specialise in High Voltage Earthing System Design for earthing systems 1kV-765kV to meet EN 50522 and and international specifications, including 11kV, 33kV and 66kV power systems.
GreyMatters has been protecting critical assets and life from the harmful effects of high voltages and lightning strikes globally since 1995.
GreyMatters focus on high voltage electrical earthing system design, earthing measurement and surveys, lightning protection design, training and policy formulation.
Thorne & Derrick
THORNE & DERRICK are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Duct Sealing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable jointing, substation earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
Since 1985, T&D have established an international reputation based on SERVICE | INTEGRITY | TRUST.
Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.
Invitation
Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals.
Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.
Thorne & Derrick International distribute the complete range of Nexans Euromold Connectors for all types of medium/high voltage electrical bushings including Interface F according to CENELEC EN 50180 and 50181. Complete supporting range of medium/high voltage cable accessories including Euromold tee connectors, coupling connectors and equipment bushingsare available for bushing Interface F equipment.
➡ For further information about Euromold Connectors for all other Interface Bushingsplease see the following information:
Switchgear ♦ Transformers ♦ Motors ♦ Joint ♦ Terminate ♦ Connect ♦ Cables ♦ MV HV Bushings ♦ 11kV 33kV Medium & High Voltage
Thorne & Derrick International
11kV 33kV Terminations
T&D are Main UK Distributors for Nexans Power Cable Accessories – this includes heat shrink and cold shrink cable joints and terminations and the Euromold range of screened separable connectors extensively installed to terminate MV-HV power cables.
Thorne & Derrick International distribute the complete range of Nexans Euromold Connectors for all types of medium/high voltage electrical bushings including Interface E according to CENELEC EN 50180 and 50181. Complete supporting range of medium/high voltage cable accessories including Euromold tee connectors and equipment bushings are available for bushing Interface E equipment.
➡ For further information about Euromold Connectors for all other Interface Bushingsplease see the following information:
Switchgear ♦ Transformers ♦ Motors ♦ Joint ♦ Terminate ♦ Connect ♦ Cables ♦ MV HV Bushings ♦ 11kV 33kV Medium & High Voltage
Thorne & Derrick International
11kV 33kV Terminations
T&D are Main UK Distributors for Nexans Power Cable Accessories – this includes heat shrink and cold shrink cable joints and terminations and the Euromold range of screened separable connectors extensively installed to terminate MV-HV power cables.
Thorne & Derrick International distribute the complete range of Nexans Euromold Connectors for all types of medium/high voltage electrical bushings including Interface D according to CENELEC EN 50180 and 50181. Complete supporting range of medium/high voltage cable accessories including Euromold tee connectors and equipment bushings are available for bushing Interface D equipment.
➡ For further information about Euromold Connectors for all other Interface Bushingsplease see the following information:
please see the following information:
Switchgear ♦ Transformers ♦ Motors ♦ Joint ♦ Terminate ♦ Connect ♦ Cables ♦ MV HV Bushings ♦ 11kV 33kV Medium & High Voltage
Thorne & Derrick International
11kV 33kV Terminations
T&D are Main UK Distributors for Nexans Power Cable Accessories – this includes heat shrink and cold shrink cable joints and terminations and the Euromold range of screened separable connectors extensively installed to terminate MV-HV power cables.
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