Don Kings Story Wake EMC
April 04,2002 ICMI - UVR-1 - Universal Regulator Control
In today's rapidly changing energy market, every utility is continually looking for new and
innovative ways to reduce costs and provide quality service in order to remain competitive. At Wake
Electric, we think we have found a way to reduce costs and at the same time provide a higher
reliability of service to our customers.
Twelve months ago we knew very little about ICMI, except it was a new name in trade magazine and I would get mailings occasionally, which would normally end up in the trashcan. We were as many utilities are now; stuck in that same rut, using the same products as we had for so many years. This is not to say we were opposed to change, but we hadn't quite turned that corner on regulator controls as we had with other new products. Then we had the opportunity to try the UVR-1 control. In January of 2001 we purchased three controls, in February 2001 we purchased thirteen, then in June 2001 we purchased thirteen more, then our last replacements were made in December 2001 with the purchase of sixteen controls. With forty-five replacement control on our system and to have no problems, this has truly been a sound investment. With the UVR-1 user-friendly software and excellent technical support from ICMI our field personnel have had no problem since the first control arrived and was put into service.
We use the UVR-1 in many diverse regulator applications. We are extremely pleased with its ability to perform under reverse voltage flow situations. Armed with the knowledge of maximum current conditions in the event of reverse power flow, the control can be easily setup to emulate reverse flow as easily as forward flow.
Standardizing on this control has simplified training requirements for qualified line personnel who may not come in contact with this control on a regular basis. We all know how difficult it is to have your field crews familiar with multiple types of controls. This is especially true when they do not work with them on a regular basis or its after hours and they have responded to a trouble call.
Now with ICMI being recently certified with DNP-3.0, we are expecting additional equipment to be released in the near future.
Don B. King, Sr.
Director of Operations
Wake Electric