Towne Lifting & Testing has eliminated recurring faults in an overhead crane’s radio control system at a structural steel fabrication facility through the installation of surge attenuation devices.
The crane, which had previously operated without issue using a CPA radio control system, began experiencing unpredictable tripping that disrupted production, sometimes as frequently as every ten minutes.
After initial diagnostics did not reveal the cause, Towne Lifting & Testing sought support from CP Automation.
The facility runs several cranes and additional fabrication machinery, creating a high demand on its electrical network.
Electrical interference from equipment such as welders, compressors and variable speed drives was identified as a likely source of radio control disruption, given the vulnerability of low-power RF signals to voltage spikes and electrical noise.
CP Automation provided two SineTamer devices to address the problem.
Engineers installed a three-phase unit at the incoming supply to protect the overall crane network from transient voltages shared across the busbar, while a single-phase device was positioned near the radio receiver for focused protection.
After fitting these units, Towne Lifting & Testing reported that all instances of radio control tripping ceased immediately.
CP Automation Cranes & Power Transmission application engineer Ian Knight said: “These events are intermittent and invisible, which made diagnosing them incredibly difficult at first.
“Towne Lifting & Testing could have commissioned a full power quality survey, but this would have added costs without actually solving the issue. We needed a faster, less invasive way to eliminate the interference.”
This prevented further production delays and eliminated the need for unscheduled resets during operations.
Knight added: “By installing transient suppression at both the incoming supply and the point of use, Towne Lifting & Testing could restore reliability and protect the customer against similar faults.”
The companies continue to deliver solutions to maintain power quality and operational reliability for industrial sites with sensitive equipment.
