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Power utility protects remote sites

A power utility in Chile required an integrated security system to protect its remote sites. These sites are responsible for regional power distribution and contain expensive equipment. Vandalism caused costly damages and hampered the supply, control and transmission of electricity to businesses and households.

The utility’s numerous remote sites are responsible for distributing and managing the electrical supply throughout the region. Also, at many sites the personnel at work are sub-contractors with different access levels. They need to be able to enter the site, perform their tasks and leave without compromising the location’s security.

The utility required a solution incorporating security, access control and extensive diagnostic capabilities, together with a remote control and management tool in order to protect the sites remotely from a central location.

It selected Risco’s ProSYS Security System with integrated access control, IP and GPRS backup communications and outdoor bus devices. Norbain SA distributes and supports Risco products in South Africa.

Each remote site is now equipped with ProSYS and IP/GPRS communications, access control, external bus sounders and WatchOUT outdoor detectors that are installed on the ProSYS bus. Bus devices allow for the remote control of all device parameters and advanced diagnostics from the corporation’s central monitoring station.

Central monitoring

The central monitoring station is located in a central city within the region and Risco’s IP/GSM receiver is installed there. The receiver, together with the ProSYS Upload/Download software enables the remote control and diagnostics of the remote sites – all from one location with the minimum number of personnel, delivering the maximum effectiveness.

The access control system incorporated in the security solution allows for managing up to eight partitions in each site. Each partition has its own access code and grants access to personnel according to their authorisation. This enables the security guard in the central station to monitor different groups of sub-contractors working at the same time in different places, as well as to respond to specific cases when required.

Any deviation from normal working procedures is reported immediately via IP to the central control station, allowing immediate action to be taken. An additional security measure was taken in each site with the installation of a video system for visual verification of the events.

According to the customer, the Risco solution did not only meet all its requirements, but exceeded them. The requirements were all met successfully in a cost effective and reliable manner.

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