This week: Interview with Marc Reitmaier, Business Unit Automation, Global Industry Wind Energy, PHOENIX CONTACT Gmbh & Co. KG

Windfair: Is the Wind Energy industry a priority for your company? How so?

Marc Reitmaier: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG has its headquarters in Blomberg and is an international leader for connection technology between conductors and PCBs as well as in automation technology, electrical interface technology and surge protection. Phoenix Contact has been a reliable partner for the wind power branch for approximately 20 years. A large number of products and solutions are used in various different parts of a WPP (wind power plant). As a result of an intensive and close cooperation with our customers, new products and solutions are continually being created to further increase the availability and efficiency of the plant.

Windfair: How many employees does your company have?

Marc Reitmaier: More than 13000 employees are working all over the world on the success of Phoenix Contact. 47 of our own sales subsidiaries and around 30 agencies in other countries form the close-knit sales network of Phoenix Contact. At home all over the world and speaking the language of the customer is our understanding of customer proximity. A proximity that ensures the best service for our partners.

Windfair: How many dedicated to Wind Energy?

Marc Reitmaier: Our sales subsidiaries employ specialists with branch specific knowledge. Industrial managers in the wind power branch are engaged in all product areas. All activities in the company are coordinated by a core team. We therefore have a worldwide network of employees in the wind power branch.

Windfair: Do you have any new or upcoming Wind Energy Products or Services?

Marc Reitmaier: We are continually developing tailored-made products and solutions for the wind power branch: power supplies, power measurement, surge protection, automation.

Power supply:
The innovative IQ UPS ensures that general waiting times between a power failure and restart of the WPP are no longer necessary. All relevant data from the battery is transferred to the system management via an interface. The heart of the WPP is therefore aware of the charging status of the batteries and even the remaining lifetime can be determined.

Energy measurement
The EMpro MA600 is capable of performing all measurement tasks associated with power supply applications up to 700 V AC from straightforward current and power measurement through detection of harmonics, up to spectral analysis and trend calculation. In addition, it is possible to expand with communication and function modules. Remote access is possible via web access.

Surge protection:
You can be informed online on lightning strikes in your system and also benefit from the option of preventive maintenance.
The new LM-S lightning monitoring system detects and analyzes all the important parameters of lightning surge currents. The actual system load can be derived from this.
Based on this information you can determine whether any checks or maintenance are required.

Surge protection:
Protect your industrial power supply unit with POWERTRAB PWT. With its impressive performance parameters, this type 1 arrester sets new global standards in surge protection.
It is therefore particularly suited for use in wind power plants. The arrester is free of line follow and leakage current.
The typical three-phase version fulfills Lightning Protection Level 1. As a result of high power reserves, you benefit from a long service life.

Automation:
With a maximum runtime of one microsecond per I/O module, Axioline is the fastest I/O system in the world.
Because Axioline is as fast as parallel cabling, there is no need to allow for timings. Axioline is as easy-to-use, as rugged as a modular terminal block and therefore sets new standards in installation and handling.
The pre-assembled VARIOFACE system cable enables quick and error-free connection of Axioline to the PLC coupling relay.

Windfair: Do you have any special training programs for your employees?

Marc Reitmaier: Phoenix Contact has been running comprehensive training program for more than 50 years. It is possible to receive training in both commercial and technical trades. We also offer combined studies in cooperation with several universities. In addition, our staff also regularly takes part in further training both internally and externally.

Windfair: Tell us about your future developments. What can we expect in the next year or two?

Marc Reitmaier: We will be increasing our activities in the branch in order to be able to respond to the requirements of our customers even faster and more efficiently.