8/17/2019 CS010-A U.S. Capitol Building

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+ ImpactPQI’s system-engineerd solution that integrated PQultra-ecient transformers in to the U.S. CapitoBuilding’s electrical distribution system restoredfunctionality to the voting system enabling alSenators and Representatives to vote without anysystem interfernce due to poor power quality.

POWER QUALITY INTERNATIONAL

2404 Merchant Avenue | Odessa, FL 33556

+ CompanyThe U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. is one ofthe most famous buildings in the world. In 2000, theArchitects of the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., a

federal government agency, contacted PQI regardingthe replacement of all distribution transformers.Their motivation for doing so was based on theage of the existing transformers, the suitability ofconventional transformers as a power source fornonlinear electronic loads, and an initiative to reduceelectrical distribution system losses and improveenergy eciency.

+ ChallengeWhen ordering PQI’s ultra-ecient transformers, theArchitects of the Capitol specied additional shieldedtransformers.Following their installation, PQI learned

that the electrical distribution systems were equippedwith a ‘power line carrier’ systems. These systemsinject a high frequency signal into the distributionsystems that set o alarms when the Senators orRepresentatives are called to chambers for a vote. Asmight be expected, the new shielded transformersblocked the ‘power line carrier’ frequency, whichrendered the alarm systems inoperable. Realizingtheir mistake in ordering shielded transformers, theArchitects of the Capitol called to reorder all of theaected transformers.

+ SolutionAs an alternative to reordering new PQI transformers,PQI was able to design a ‘shield grounding network’that would allow the power line carrier frequency topass through the transformers while allowing theshield to function as originally intended.

CASE STUDY

U.S. Capitol BuildingWashington, D.C.

CS010-A 1

(888) 539-7712

www.PowerQualityInternational.com

POWER QUALITY INTERNATIONAL  is thindustry leader in the development, design anmanufacturing of harmonic mitigating and ener-ecient transformer technologies. With a passiofor solving problems and helping customers achievpower quality and energy eciency, PQI delive

cost-eective solutions that ensure power qualiand energy eciency for the life of their customefacilities.