INP is an innovative company:
Combining strength and knowledge for our customers
This edition of INP Inside focuses on the topic of electrical engineering.
As a special group leader in this area, I attempt to define electrical engineering and INP's connection to it in a clear way.
According to Wikipedia, the definition is as follows:
Electrical engineering is that technological science which deals with research and technical development as well as production technology for equipment or processes in an engineering science context, at least in part with regard to electrical energy. These include the areas of converters, electric motors and structural elements as well as switchgear for measurement, control, telecommunications and computer technology through to information technology.
What does that mean for us?
The classic division in electrical engineering was between power current technology, which is currently reflected in power engineering and drive technology, and low current technology which has formed telecommunications engineering.
Other areas include electrical measuring technology, automation technology as well as electronics. The boundaries between the individual areas are quite fluid in many cases. With increasing propagation of the applications, numerous additional specialization areas also arose.
In our current civilization, almost all procedures and facilities are electrically operated, or run with a significant contribution from electrical devices and controllers.
So what do we at INP understand by electrical engineering?
Our key expertise lies in power technology/power transmission, distribution and conversion (formerly power current technology), and is concerned with obtaining, transmitting, distributing (high-voltage technology) and converting electrical energy.
In most cases, the electrical current is generated by conversion from mechanical/rotational energy by means of generators, is transmitted and distributed by lines/cables and switchgear, and is of course stepped down to the necessary voltage level by transformers.
Drive technology, also formerly considered to be "power current technology" converts electrical energy into mechanical energy using motors. Classic electrical motors are synchronous, asynchronous and DC machines.
There are sub-areas for each of these areas, also referred to as primary technology, which are no less important in spite of being referred to as secondary technology. These include the control technology as well as electrical protection for components. Even if these systems are more reminiscent of computers than power current due to their modern processor technology, physical knowledge of electrical engineering is required in order to set and program them.
Within the INP Group, we have strong and established units, as well as in our global branches, staffed by the necessary specialists to be able to cover the varied requirements arising from electrical engineering.
Starting with the Engineering area, we can provide engineers who can carry out planning and/or calculations for electrical engineering topics either under their own responsibility or as personnel provided to our customers. Classic applications here include preparing circuit diagrams, cable and signal lists or setting values for electrical protection. This also includes the area of HVDC transmission technology, in which we have already employed some colleagues on the platform starting with engineering and working through to completion.
In the installation supervision area, we ensure that the requirements are met for correct installation and cabling of the electrical components at systems worldwide. Not only classic monitoring, this also includes installation supervision as well as the electrical engineering specialist site management. In this case, we principally work for our customers as TFAs (technical field advisors) at power plant construction sites all over the world.
Of course, we must not forget the crowning achievement of the whole thing, namely the commissioning (IBN) area, also referred to as startup (INS). This refers to the first-time designated use of the electrical components or system. Generally speaking, that means not only simply switching on or connecting to voltage using a circuit breaker, but instead is more likely to feature tests, measurements and settings on the various secondary technology components.
The complicating factor here is that the commissioning engineer not only needs to know all the ins and outs of the secondary equipment (protection, control, excitation, etc.) but must also possess knowledge in the area of the electrical components or system that is/are to be commissioned.
As already mentioned, the INP Group contains powerful units which have specialized in certain areas over the course of the years, also due to our proximity to regular customers. In this context, of course, it is worth mentioning our branch in Switzerland with the areas of high-voltage technology and drive technology, characterized by the customers ABB and Alstom.
However, since we developed into a regular customer for Siemens, we in Römerberg are also well on the way to catching up, especially in the area of high-voltage technology.
The important factor here is that we do not regard ourselves as competitors, but are capable of combining and optimizing our forces in order to offer our customers the best possible and most efficient solution.
In summary, it is possible to say that electrical engineering has a long history at INP. Although this is neither as long nor as intensive as instrumentation and control technology, it is certainly an area which possesses just as promising a future. We have already achieved a lot, but there remains a lot to do – let's get down to work together.
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