As the energy consumption structure of enterprise parks evolves towards "high-density equipment, high continuity operation, and high electrical safety requirements", the traditional low-voltage distribution safety system with circuit breaker protection as the core is no longer able to meet the dual requirements of modern industry for safety and continuous power supply. Insulation aging, humid environment, equipment leakage, and line damage are becoming the main causes of power distribution accidents. In this context, insulation monitoring technology based on IT system architecture has rapidly become popular in enterprise distribution systems. This article analyzes the applicability, architectural value, and application mode of insulation monitoring technology in enterprise distribution systems based on the content of a certain insulation monitoring scheme document, providing a reference path for enterprises to build highly reliable distribution systems.

Traditional enterprises commonly use TNS orTT systemIts protection mode relies on grounding, residual current action, and circuit breaker tripping. This mode is sufficient in general office and living scenarios, but performs poorly in typical industrial scenarios such as humid and corrosive environments, continuous high temperature environments, frequent start stop of electrical loads, and centralized power supply systems for precision equipment.

The core of an IT system lies in the fact that the power supply is not directly grounded and the equipment casing is grounded. Its significant advantage is that in the event of a single-phase grounding fault, the system can continue to operate with the fault, while relying on insulation monitoring instruments to provide real-time alarms. This "continuous electric warning" mode makes it suitable for key scenarios such as hospital operating rooms, mines, and ships.

In the process of upgrading enterprise power distribution systems to digitalization and security, the combination of IT systems and insulation monitoring technology has become an important tool for improving power supply continuity.

The regulations of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for power supply systems with various grounding methods stipulate: (Low voltage: AC below 1000V)

In order to improve the continuity, reliability, and safety of power supply, many important production sites have also adopted IT distribution systems (ungrounded power supply systems).

AcrelIndustrial insulation monitoring and fault location products are mainly used in industrial fields, such as mines, mines, glass factories, electric furnaces and testing equipment, ships, offshore platforms, shore power, metallurgical plants, chemical plants, explosion hazardous areas, computer centers, and emergency power supplies. Usually, insulation monitoring devices are installed to monitor the insulation condition of the system to ground in real time. When a grounding fault occurs in the system, an alarm is triggered in a timely manner to remind and troubleshoot the problem.

Real time monitoring of the insulation and equivalent capacitance values of the IT distribution system to the ground, and issuing alarm signals in case of insulation faults;

Real time monitoring of the wiring status between the instrument and the system and ground, and sending a fault disconnection alarm signal when the wiring is disconnected.

When there is an insulation fault, the insulation fault locating device can locate the circuit where the fault is located, facilitating fault troubleshooting;

Equipped with RS485 communication function, data can be uploaded to the monitoring system or cloud platform through the communication network to achieve remote monitoring function.

Distribution Plan for Low Voltage IT System in Mines

A 460 meter interrupted mining area in a certain iron minelow-voltage distribution panelDistribution System Diagram (Part)

Equipment selection: 1) AIM-T500L insulation monitoring instrument; 2) 1 ASG200 signal generator; 3) One AIL200-12 insulation fault locator; 4) 5 AKH-0.66/L-45 positioning transformers; 5) One AKH-0.66/L-80 positioning transformer.

Distribution Plan for Shore Power Low Voltage IT System

Equipment selection: 1) AIM-T500L insulation monitoring instrument; 2) 1 ASG200 signal generator; 3) 3 AIL200-12 insulation fault locators; 4) 12 AKH-0.66/L-80 positioning transformers.

Ship IT Power Distribution Diagram

Wiring diagram of insulation monitoring and fault location products applied in three-phase AC systems

Wiring diagram of insulation monitoring and fault location products applied in DC systems

The primary function of insulation monitoring devices, whether in the medical or industrial fields, is to monitor the insulation resistance of the system to ground in real-time and issue an alarm in advance when it drops. This characteristic is of great significance for industrial enterprises.

Transform 'unknown risks' into“Manageable risk”

The traditional TN/TNS system can only detect problems after the leakage current expands and the protection action is activated, while insulation monitoring technology can observe the trend of insulation value changes before accidents, allowing operation and maintenance personnel to intuitively perceive risks through curves, event records, and other methods.

For enterprises, this means that maintenance can be arranged in advance, rather than waiting for tripping and production stoppage; Traceability and predictability of insulation degradation; The malfunction will not suddenly escalate into equipment damage or safety accidents.

Key capability to support 'operation with faults'

Even if IT systems occurSingle point groundingThe fault can still continue to operate, which is particularly important for the following enterprises: continuous production enterprises (chemical, metallurgical); Manufacturing industries that require stable processes (glass, electrolytic aluminum); Enterprises with life support or critical information systems (data centers, precision testing centers) can troubleshoot problems without interruption of power, significantly reducing economic losses.

Realize "precise positioning": from fault alarm to positioning circuit

Fault locator solutions in industrial scenarios, such as mines, ships, UPS power distribution, etc. Its function is to accurately indicate which branch has malfunctioned by testing the signal and locating the transformer after insulation degradation; Avoid large-scale power outage inspections; Improve maintenance efficiency and reduce downtime.

Enterprise operation and maintenance personnel are gradually shifting from "finding faults" to "solving faults".

From Equipment to System: The Networked Trend of Insulation Monitoring in Enterprise Energy Management

An example of an insulation monitoring platform shows that by connecting multiple insulation monitoring points to a unified platform through RS485, CAN, or cloud platform interfaces, it is possible to achieve: insulation data trend analysis; Centralized management of alarms in multiple regions; Traceability of operation and maintenance events; Cross regional operation and maintenance visualization.

In the future, enterprise power distribution systems will evolve from "single device monitoring" to "regional insulation health management", making insulation monitoring an important component of energy carbon management systems and energy IoT platforms.

Insulation monitoring technology has expanded from medical facilities to multiple industries such as mining, shipping, and UPS distribution, and has formed a mature product system and application cases.

For modern enterprises, insulation monitoring is not only a means of equipment protection, but also a systematic risk management tool. By introducing insulation monitoring in the TN system or adopting IT systems in critical areas, companies can: prevent hidden dangers; Avoid power outages; Improve operational efficiency; Enhance system resilience.

It is becoming a key pivot for enterprise power distribution systems to move towards a "digital, visual, and predictable security system".