{{p}}In this edition: Conventional Relay + Dedicated Relay — mandatory, not mutually exclusive. The evolution of electrical protection architectures toward real-time prediction.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}THE CONCEPT{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}Two layers, one purpose: to protect and anticipate{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}In industrial electrical systems, the {{strong}}conventional protection relay{{/strong}} remains the guardian against faults. It interprets currents and voltages, coordinates shutdowns in short circuits and overloads, and acts with precision, but always {{strong}}after the fault has manifested itself{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}This is where the {{strong}}complementary layers of protection{{/strong}} come in, providing {{strong}}advance warning and response in microseconds{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}From reaction to prediction{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}Just as in aviation, sensors that monitor temperature, vibration, and pressure do not replace the autopilot, {{strong}}they feed it with predictive data{{/strong}}. In modern electrical systems, the same principle applies: {{strong}}dedicated relays and smart sensors{{/strong}} are able to see what conventional relays cannot: {{strong}}gradual heating and incipient arcs in pre-formation{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}This new generation of relays {{strong}}acts before failure{{/strong}}, preventing damage, fires, and unscheduled downtime!{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}The dedicated relay as a real-time agent{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}The dedicated relay for {{strong}}continuous (online) thermal monitoring{{/strong}} and {{strong}}arc flash protection{{/strong}} forms a {{strong}}sensory layer{{/strong}} of the electrical system. It observes the panel in real time, detects hot spots, and recognizes the {{strong}}ultraviolet radiation of the arc{{/strong}} the moment it arises—{{strong}}before visible light and before the fault current is established{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}This integration creates an {{strong}}intelligent and predictive protection architecture{{/strong}}, where {{strong}}continuous analysis complements reactive action{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}THE PRODUCT{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}The challenge: see before failure!{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}In low and medium voltage systems, asset reliability depends on the ability to detect thermal risks and electric arcs before they cause damage. While conventional relays act after the fault, ZYGGOT® THM+ARC acts before, continuously monitoring the thermal and optical parameters of the electrical panel.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}ZYGGOT{{sup}}®{{/sup}} THM + ARC — Protection and Prediction in a Single Platform{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}Varixx embodies this concept in {{strong}}ZYGGOT{{sup}}®{{/sup}} THM+ARC{{/strong}}, a dedicated relay that combines continuous {{strong}}thermography and ultra-fast electric arc detection using UV radiation{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{img src="https://cp.varixx.com.br/file/2025/10/20251024135951757" alt="" width="665" height="374" /}}{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}Technical Highlights:{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}• Monitoring of up to {{strong}}4,100 combined sensors{{/strong}} (100 temperature sensors + up to 4,000 arc sensors. There are 40 gateways, and each gateway supports up to 100 sensors, for a total of 4,000).{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Response time < 300 µs{{/strong}}, even in the pre-arc phase.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Performance up to 150x faster{{/strong}} than current-based systems.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Multiple independent trip zones{{/strong}}, with selective logic between compartments.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Up to 40 connected gateways{{/strong}}, allowing adaptation to panels of different sizes and complexities.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}No current measurements required{{/strong}}, simplifying the architecture.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Multi-protocol communication{{/strong}}: Modbus RTU/TCP, EtherNet/IP, MQTT, and IEC 61850.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}EMC immunity according to IEC 61000-4{{/strong}}, operating with stability even under severe disturbances.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Advanced interface{{/strong}}: more than 200 interactive screens for configuration, supervision, and real-time analysis.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}Applications{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}Suitable for {{strong}}industrial substations, distribution panels, CCMs, data centers, critical electrical systems, heavy mining, utilities{{/strong}}, among others.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{strong}}ZYGGOT{{sup}}®{{/sup}} THM+ARC{{/strong}} guarantees {{strong}}continuous thermal and optical protection{{/strong}}, ensuring {{strong}}reliability and selectivity{{/strong}} even in environments with high electromagnetic stress.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{em}}Reference standards:{{/em}} NFPA 70B, IEC 61439-2, IEEE 493, and Uptime Institute reliability guidelines.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}An integrated solution for protection and prediction{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}ZYGGOT{{sup}}®{{/sup}} THM+ARC combines two critical technologies:{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Continuous thermographic monitoring{{/strong}} using non-contact temperature sensors.{{/p}}
{{p}}• {{strong}}Electric arc detection using ultraviolet (UV) radiation{{/strong}}, with instantaneous response and no need for current measurement.{{/p}}
{{p}}This hybrid approach enables preventive and emergency action, ensuring that abnormal heating and UV emissions are detected in microseconds, before they develop into a short circuit or fire.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{strong}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}Compact and flexible architectur{{/span}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}e{{/span}}{{/strong}}{{/p}}
{{p}}Available in {{strong}}Mono and Multi-Gateway{{/strong}} versions, it adapts to different industrial architectures. In the Multi-Gateway version, each compartment receives an independent gateway, coordinated by a master relay — which {{strong}}reduces complexity, cost, and installation time, in addition to ensuring total selectivity between zones{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}{{strong}}High safety and availability{{/strong}}{{/span}}{{/p}}
{{p}}Combining {{strong}}high-precision thermal sensing and ultra-fast optical detection{{/strong}}, ZYGGOT{{sup}}®{{/sup}} THM+ARC raises the bar for industrial electrical safety. Its selective operation minimizes unnecessary shutdowns, preserves equipment, and significantly{{strong}} increases operational availability{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{strong}}{{span style="font-size: 14pt;"}}CONCLUSION{{/span}}{{/strong}}{{/p}}
{{p}}{{strong}}ZYGGOT® THM+ARC{{/strong}} represents the convergence of {{strong}}protection and prediction{{/strong}}, integrating thermal and optical technologies into a single platform. More than just a relay, it is a {{strong}}sensory layer that sees risk before it manifests{{/strong}}.{{/p}}
{{p}}{{strong}}ZYGGOT® THM+ARC — protection that sees before risk.{{/strong}}{{/p}}
{{p}} {{/p}}