2. What is a MiniSub?

3. What can the MiniSub do for you?

4. What are the Cost Benefits and Savings of the MiniSub?

5. How does a MiniSub compare to conventional substations?

6. Is the MiniSub, and SF6 switchgear CSA Approved?

7. What are the current options available for the MiniSub?

8. Can you apply the MiniSub concept as an add-on to an existing conventional installation or in a retrofit situation?

9. Is there any maintenance involved?

10. Do you have a warranty on your product?

11. How does the SF6 replace the old style switchgear?

12. How can I get more information on this product?

13. Who do you sell to in Canada & abroad & how?

14. What are the advantages of a liquid / oil filled transformer?

15. What is the life expectancy of a MiniSub and once it reaches it, how would you evaluate what would be done to address the situation (product life cycle)?

Power Systems Technology is a Canadian manufacturing company that has identified a genuine need for an alternative method to 'conventional' electrical power distribution methods, based on ongoing research. The source of the research has been from multiple sources, including individuals, agencies, entities and organizations who examine market trends and conditions and access the needs that increased power demand dictates throughout the world.

Some of the criteria used to focus in on a solution were based on cost, reliability, infrastructure, environmental conditions and a documented demand to reduce the size of substations, which would offer dramatic advances and advantages. Power Systems Technology developed a unique MINI-SUBSTATION, which we call our MINISUB. The MiniSub can be configured to satisfy virtually every function that conventional substations currently offer. We have no doubt that if the many prospective clients were aware of the new high-tech solution, they would, by choice, seriously consider the possibilities. Why not, when they could save an average of 25% on the initial cost and even more, in terms of maintenance costs for the life cycle of the product?

The obvious question would be how could this be possible? What do we do that justifies our claim? Here are a few basic concepts to offer our audience. COMPACT design is one of the fundamental keys. We are the first to revolutionize the inter-connection of discreet components into a fully assembled, manufactured enclosure. The unit meets the submersible criteria depending on the configuration. It can be located anywhere, (rooftops, street-side, underground, on any floor in a building, in hazardous locations etc…) is essentially tamper proof and reduces construction costs significantly. In addition, this engineering methodology eliminates redundant components that the traditional distribution model requires.

A MiniSub is a substation design which brings together the unique benefits of oil/liquid filled padmount transformers as defined by the CSA specification C227.4, and SF6 switching technology using the Arc-Whipper three position switch.
With all these advantages:

• Compact size is only slightly larger than a padmount transformer. This unit can house upto 3 load break primary disconnects, fusing, secondary metering and distribution.
• Primary load break switches offer gas filled technology to provide maintenance-free service for the life of the unit.
• Interconnecting components of the switching to the transformer allow the switches to be unplugged from the transformer in minutes.
• All the primary compartments meets the submersible criteria. There are no live parts, including the cable connections!
• Provision for grounding of any switch.
• Available in an automatic transfer from 2 primary feeds.
• Available with Measurement Canada approved metering.
• Secondary can accommodate a wide range of breaker arrangements.
• Designed to meet the requirements of non-utility operated equipment.
• Completely tamperproof and weatherproof.

As an owner of a property, manufacturing facility or business enterprise, you can fully expect to free up capital and operational budgetary dollars for other priorities. You will also benefit from having more square footage of usable space available to generate revenue.

As a Consulting Engineer, you can offer your clients cost savings without compromising quality or reliability. From a design perspective, you have much more flexibility. This fact is pertinent for a new project or an existing facility. Another benefit to highlight is the fact that liquid / oil filled transformers have significantly lower energy losses which translates into consumption savings. If you refer to our comparison chart, we have provided some comparison charts between dry and liquid/oil filled transformers. The projected savings during the life cycle of the unit amounts to getting the MiniSub for free.

If you are part of a utility, you can reduce your installation, maintenance and capital costs for your power distribution components. From a competitive point of view, your profitability can be increased, since your costs to deliver energy per unit are reduced.

If you are a contractor in a position to specify a MiniSub, you can be much more competitive, from several points of view. Your labour costs will drop significantly while having the advantage of offering a turnkey substation / distribution system.

There are several factors to consider when evaluating where the savings can be found. However, we have conducted some studies and concluded that you can expect typical savings between 20 to 25%, based on some of the following factors:

Cabling Requirements;

• The LOOP switching design offers a distributed model where you eliminate the main electrical vault(s) and the extensive cable routing that results from a central distribution model.
• A SINGLE main incoming electrical feeder is the only (primary) cabling required to a building structure or site complex.
• MiniSubs LOOP together, meaning that the primary feed can be 'daisy chained' from one unit to the next. Through a special switching design, each / any / all of the MiniSubs can operate independently of each other, regardless of the status of any single / local MiniSub in the network.
• Where the conventional heavy switchgear is contemplated as the distribution method, we could eliminate the need for large secondary switchgear and the associated cabling due to the MiniSub distributed design alternative.
• Reduced sources of electrical noise, specifically, EMI (electro-magnetic interference) & RFI (radio frequency interference) and the costs associated with reducing or eliminating these problems (where applicable).

• An EXAMPLE best illustrates this concept. Assume we have a 4200 Amp rated substation & associated switchgear. This 'conventional distribution model' has 3 secondary circuits rated at 1000 Amps, 2000 Amps and 1200 Amps. Therefore we have a protection scheme sized and rated for 4200 Amps, PLUS the protection schemes for each primary / secondary circuit as needed (in this case 3). When compared to the MiniSub concept, the MiniSubs would be rated at 1000 Amps, 2000 Amps and 1200 Amps INDIVIDUALLY.
• Based on the above, the redundant equipment is identified as the 4200 Amp switchgear TOTAL and the associated capacity and protection scheme(s) UP FRONT. This equipment is NO LONGER REQUIRED. The MiniSub concept has eliminated all of the traditional heavy duty, upfront circuitry, rated for the sum of the secondary circuits the substation and switchgear are designed to supply.
• Therefore the individual MiniSubs, rated to the individual primary / secondary circuits have eliminated an entire redundant layer of components and the cost associated with them during the life cycle of the installation.

• Size in this case equates to space requirements and the costs associated with capital expenditures and ongoing costs and usage of occupied / unoccupied space(s) within a facility.
• Capital costs - Traditional switchgear / substation technology requires the construction of electrical vaults, occupying significantly more square footage than the MiniSub model requires. Therefore, a facility has more usable space to begin with and to have the potential to generate revenue from. In addition, the cabling requirements (secondary distribution from a central location) in terms of the space allocated for routing them throughout the facility has been reduced (not to mention the savings in cable).
• A MiniSub is consistent in size. There are two sizes to deal with, although the larger unit only adds a few additional inches to the width. Both noted sizes fall within 8 cubic meters, for all voltage classes. This compact design allows for a distributed or loop model, where space savings free capital dollars for other budgetary items. From a sizing perspective, we offer a conservative estimate to remember. A MiniSub will require less than 50% of the space required for a comparable, conventional distribution system.

• Trends indicate a preference for pre-engineered, pre-connected, integrated assemblies. Consider the advantages and benefits that a complete turnkey substation has to offer. A MiniSub can be delivered to site with a broad range of configurations and options to meet a wide array of application requirements. This labour saving component mustn't be overlooked.
• Assuming that the client wants a secondary system with breakers, the current capacity is rated at a maximum 2 x 1200 Amp capacity (c/w vertically mounted electro-magnetic breakers) or up to 6 'smaller' (400 Amps or less / circuit) secondary circuits of a capacity (c/w horizontally mounted electro-magnetic breakers) not exceeding the above overall ratings. These ratings reflect the design criteria for a single MiniSub. When MiniSubs are combined / engineered to satisfy a facility's distribution requirements, an entire network of MiniSubs are looped together to deliver the power where / when it is needed.
• The use of proven oil / liquid filled transformer technology provides reliable quality performance with the ability to safely handle up to 30% of excess loading. This technology also allows this style of power transformer to be incorporated within the compact enclosure. The LOW LOSS design offers savings, when compared to a dry type transformer.
• The MiniSub can be designed for use in non-fire rated environments by providing the option of using an environmentally safe, non-flammable oil fill known as R-Temp oil (LNAN). This fact allows for the flexible, fully weatherproof MiniSub unit be situated in virtually any selected area convenient to the contractor, consultant and client.
• The MiniSub is suitable for retrofit applications, may be added to any existing distribution system, stand-alone or form a network. In the event that existing MiniSubs are installed on a site, another or a NEW MiniSubs' primary power can be supplied by connecting to an existing MiniSub LOOP switch.

A MiniSub provides all of the functionality of the traditional substation while offering some substantial advantages. It has the distinct advantage of eliminating some redundant components, protection schemes and the associated space requirements adding up to substantial savings. The key factor is the revolutionary COMPACT design and integration of pre-connected components. There is another feature worthy of mention when comparing the two distribution models. The long list of options and configurations available in a MiniSub makes it a natural choice for virtually any application. A MiniSub comes in a consistently sized enclosure measuring approximately 8 cubic meters operating in an ambient environment ranging from -40 to 120 degrees F.

Both the MiniSub and our SF6 Switchgear has been CSA approved.

Please see the options page.

Yes because the concept of the MiniSub design simply requires a single primary feed from the incoming utility service entrance. Typically, a 13,200 volt feed is supplied, although we can accept other voltage ranges. Since the MiniSub is a complete self-contained, integrated unit, complete with the fusing, switchgear, power transformer, primary / secondary windings and protection schemes required to provide a total operational package. In addition, the MiniSub has interlock capabilities to allow the unit(s) to be coordinated with any existing protection schemes with new or existing external devices.

Our MiniSub is essentially maintenance free. The basic requirement needed for the unit is that it be monitored on a scheduled basis. This is due to our SF6 gas filled switch, and our special connection between the switch and the transformer. The engineering approach that created the MiniSub design had specific goals in mind. The maintenance free concept was a key determining factor.

We have a 12 month warranty from date of installation, which is found upon the back of our brochure.

Sulfur Hexaflouride (SF6) is an insulating, high dielectric, arc-quenching gas, known to offer a technological advance in modern energy and power distribution techniques. SF6 allows for a more compact design, with the promise of a long life cycle with virtually no maintenance. The properties of the gas allows for the load break mechanisms to operate trouble free for thousands of operations. Once we understand that the contact surfaces will remain in top condition over time, we recognize that the technology is the most advanced available.

Click here for more information about our MiniSub.

The source of our business is virtually unlimited. We have a network of distributors across the country and currently export to the Caribbean. We are actively pursuing the South American market and anticipate moving into the US market in the near future. We believe that this leading edge product will become a global standard. Once education, awareness and acceptance becomes widespread, this Canadian product will revolutionize the distribution concepts and methodology.

Transformers consume energy that amount to providing power to the loads in the network, while accumulating losses, which are inevitable. Although there is no perfect transformer, losses are minimized in liquid / oil filled technology, due to design and performance characteristics. In fact, liquid / oil filled transformers can operate in an overload condition of up to 30%, the most tolerant and efficient of any transformer design. CSA has published standards known as a LOW LOSS specification. Regardless of the choice of transformer type, the losses amount to spent dollars, adding up over time. Refer to ourcomparison chart.

A comparison chart is provided to demonstrate some of the anticipated savings over a period of thirty years. The well proven, industry standard dry padmount transformer is used for comparison purposes. However, before you look at the data in the charts, the savings in energy losses alone, based on today's dollar value shows that MiniSubs actually pay for themselves.

Comparison Chart

The life cycle of a typical MiniSub is 30 years of continuous service, however we believe that this should be seen as a conservative estimate. In the event that a MiniSub operated in an environment where it was excessively 'stressed' over time, we would anticipate 30 years. At that time, the MiniSub would undergo a series of comprehensive tests to determine its current operating condition. Due to the nature of the design of a MiniSub, all parts are replaceable. The original drawings, certified test results, installation-maintenance manual, specifications and recorded data would be referred to identify the original configuration and equipment history.