Support for security lanes with EMC analysis at Schiphol Airport

Challenge

“In our security lanes, where travelelrs and their luggage are scanned and searched, we use security equipment sourced from all over the world,” explains Ton Baltus, Head of Installation Managers at Schiphol. “Equipment may have an EMC rating, but that doesn’t tell us everything. If a single device with a CE marking causes network distortion in the home, there’s not much to worry about. However, if you put hundreds of such devices together, problems arise that are not always immediately visible. EMC pollution really is a silent killer. Harmonics generated can damage equipment or accelerate aging, temperatures might rise sharply, or zero currents may become too high causing circuit breakers to trip. When large numbers of passengers have to pass through security lanes on the way to their destination, we really can’t afford breakdowns and delays!”

Objectives

• Detect potential EMC risks
• Support continuous availability and operation of security lanes
• Commission the Active Harmonic Filter (AHF)
• Determine results after commissioning the AHF

Solution

“Together with the Schiphol project team, supplier Scarabee and Engie, we looked for a solution,” says Christan van Dorst, Manager Technical Engineering, HyTEPS. “We first carried out extensive measurements, together with consultancy firm Deerns, and then analyzed the results. We discovered a problem with harmonic currents in the neutral conductor. When harmonic currents are in phase, they accumulate in the neutral conductor. So it was a matter of rebalancing the three-phase circuit.”

“After consulting with the customer and everyone else involved, which was quite a few people, given this enormously extensive infrastructure, we placed active filters on seven distributors that feed the security lanes. Because the lanes are used throughout the day, we had to take this into account when choosing measurement times.”

Results

Christan: “After deploying an Active Harmonic Filter, a clear reduction in total harmonic current (THC) could be observed on all three phases. The sine wave of the voltage and current are less distorted thanks to the filtering of harmonic distortion in the voltage and current. This increases installation efficiency.”

“Harmonic currents in the neutral conductor have now been reduced to a level at which the installation can operate without problems,” says Ton Baltus. “When we commission an installation, we always perform a site acceptance test. That includes Power Quality and EMC measurements.  Standard inspections and standards fall short in this area. With the data that we obtain through  HyTEPS, we  focus on the importance of EMC and Power Quality. As the electricity demand at Schiphol increases due to electrification, the importance of Power Quality continues to grow!”