Month: August 2021

What are Valves? What are their types and applications?

by vemcoblogs -

No matter which supply system you are talking about, one piece of equipment is absolutely indispensable — valves. Why are these so important for the proper functioning of your supply system and which valves suit your needs the best? In this blog, we touch upon all these fundamental questions about these ingeniously simple yet essential instruments.

Valves are simply instruments that control, regulate or direct the flow in a supply system. These are used in pipelines carrying liquids such as water, oil, and chemicals, or gases such as natural gas and cooking gas. The most basic function of valves is to completely start or stop the flow. However, they are also used to regulate the flow or pressure, throttle the flow rates, and improve safety by relieving pressure or vacuum in the piping system. Valves also prevent a backflow of the liquid or the gas. Let’s take a look at some of the main types of valves and their unique applications.

  1. Ball Valve: These have a quick-acting 90-degree handle to provide easy on-off control. These are faster and easier to operate as compared to other valves as they do not require a protracted winding action. These valves are mostly used in refineries, fertilizer plants, petrochemical processes and thermal power stations.
  2. Butterfly Valve: These have a characteristically compact design and are therefore best suited for cramped spaces. Their name comes from the wing-like action of the disc which operates at right angles to the flow. These find use in sewage plants, chemical processing and petrochemical plants.
  3. Spindle Valve: These valves have the simplest mechanism as they merely require twisting of the spindle wheel attached to the spindle rod. This moves the gate at right angle to the flow and stops it. These valves are mostly used in water supply.
  4. Foot Valve: A foot valve is typically installed at a pump or bottom of a pipe. These have an open end with a shield or screen over them to keep out debris. These can be found installed in ponds, lakes and pools on a pump. They let the liquid to flow in but prevent it from flowing back out.
  5. Sluice Valve: A sluice valve is a large valve with a rectangular or circular gate. On rotating the spindle, the gate slides across the opening. These valves find wide application in water works, effluent treatment, shipping, irrigation and thermal power plants.
valve dealers

Choosing the right valve for your operations is an important decision to ensure seamless flow and regulation of your piping system. The right valve can be chosen on the basis of valve design, valve size, and actuation method. For more information on our products, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of the leading valve & water pumps dealers in the country, VEMC provides seamless end-to-end services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

What is a fire panel and how does it work?

by vemcoblogs -

Fire breakouts in a commercial facility like a factory could cause serious damage. Not only can it destroy valuable raw material and machinery, but worse, cause loss of lives on the factory floor. A flawless mechanism for early detection and response to a fire breakout is therefore necessary. Once you have installed a high-tech fire panel, you have every reason to put your worries to rest. In this blog, we take you through what a fire panel really is and how it works in the unfortunate event of a breakout.

A fire panel is an automatic fire detection and response mechanism. The panel doesn’t detect fire on its own but is capable of receiving signals from smoke detectors, a manual call point, or a pull switch. Once the signal is received, its response is activated. The most basic response is to raise a loud alarm to warn the workers about the fire so that they may quickly evacuate. However, depending on the type of fire panel, it can also activate the building’s water sprinkler system or even send a signal to the fire department.

In a conventional panel, the smoke detectors send a signal by changing the electric current as soon as they detect smoke. The altered current acts as a fire signal for the panel. Due to the installation of these panels in different wings or floors of the building, these are also called ‘zoned panels’.

A more advanced type of fire panel operates through IoT technology. It has a number of devices located throughout the building, each of which has its own MAC address and microprocessor to send signals to the panel. Rather than using altered current, these devices use the WAN or Wi-Fi network of the building to signal a breakout. As the fire panel detects the MAC address of the device, it can easily locate the fire break out anywhere in the building. As such, these modern fire detection systems are also known as ‘addressable panels’.

The kind of fire panel that you must install in your building depends on a number of factors. Some of the crucial ones are the type and size of the building, electrical fitting and internet connectivity, the number and spatial spread of the staff on the factory floor, and of course, the budget allotted for your fire security system. A generous budget can provide you with the comprehensive security of a fire panel that not only raises the alarm or signals the fire department, but can also lock or unlock doors, turn off the electricity and disable the elevators, therefore fully integrating all the security protocols in case of a breakout.

For more information on our products, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of the leading Fire Fighting panel manufacturers, VEMC provides end-to-end services to its clients. A renowned electrical panel manufacturer in Mumbai, VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

Using IoT and Analytics to Revolutionize Pump Monitoring

by vemcoblogs -

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Analytics are transforming every sector of the economy! There is absolutely no reason why pumping should remain untouched by these disruptive technologies. Any device that generates data about its performance parameters can be made a part of an IoT network. This ensures its optimum performance, highlights maintenance needs and predicts breakdowns for timely action. In this blog, we take you through the inner workings of how IoT and Analytics are revolutionizing your pump monitoring.

As your smart pumps function, they continuously generate a stream of data about variables such as flow, viscosity, vibration, power and temperature. The purpose of IoT and Analytics is to tap this continuous flow of data and ensure better vigilance and monitoring. Modern pumps require a seamless convergence of three key technologies:

  1. IoT: This includes the sensors and network infrastructure for connecting the smart pumps and conveying the data stream of the variables. Technologies like WiFi, LoRaWAN and NB-IoT are used to communicate the real-time data captured by the sensors. These networks are suited for large industrial establishments as they offer a wide range of up to 1 kilometre. The IoT setup also includes data management and retention tools offered by major cloud infrastructure companies. 
  2. Digital Twins: This refers to a virtual representation or simulation of the smart pump along with all its real-time variables. It is a model of the IoT pumps loaded with specific information such as brand, size and location. Data related to vibration, power, temperature and flow is clearly visible through the Digital Twin. You can also set limits on these parameters, which if breached, indicates the need for intervention. Digital Twin precludes the need for any physical monitoring of the pump as the model with accurate real-time data can be viewed anytime and from anywhere.
  3. Data Analytics and Machine Learning: These include the tools to keep track of the steady processes and detect anomalies for intervention. Tools like charts, graphs, time-series and trend analysis are used to gain an insight about the performance of the pump over a longer time-horizon. This information provides a multi-dimensional view of your pumps as it factors in the various parameters and their interaction with each other.

To make the best use of IoT and Analytics, an interactive user interface is a must. KirloSmart is a state-of-the-art software technology that allows users to analyse their pump metrics remotely through a web portal or mobile app. KirloSmart is capable of generating alerts for probable causes leading to breakdown or pump failure, thus keeping you up-to-date on the health of your smart pump. The greatest benefits of IoT and Analytics include scalable throughput and productivity, reduced energy consumption, controlled maintenance costs, reduced manual intervention and continuous improvement. This has made pumping convenient, reliable and sustainable. For more information on our products, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of India’s best solar and engineering companies with 73 years of market experience, VEMC provides end-to-end services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

Diesel Engine Control Panel

by vemcoblogs -

Control panels provide a simple user interface to operate, monitor, and control an otherwise complex piece of machinery. Their foremost and most basic feature is the switches to start or stop the machine. Visually these panels indicate the measurements of various parameters of the machine such as voltage, current, and frequency. In case the machine overheats, over speeds, or slows down due to a number of internal and external factors, control panels also facilitate an intervention. In this blog, we unpack the features, uses, and capabilities of a diesel engine control panel for you.

The most important function of diesel engine control panels is to control and protect the diesel engine. The control panel comprises a set of integrated components that monitor the diesel engine parameter readings to stay within the safe levels. The diesel engine control panel functions through the coordinated action of the following components:

  1. The Diesel Controller Unit 

Just like the CPU of a computer, the control module is the brain of your panel. It is a device that controllers the circuit of the panel using a microprocessor controller and paraments of a diesel engine based on changing conditions or shifts in parameters.

  1. The Terminal Rail

This is the junction of all the wires and connectors coming from the engine and the alternator. These wires are linked to the control panel to establish a two-way connection between the engine and the panel. Inputs on the control panel reach the engine and alternator while changing parameters in the engine and alternator are relayed to the panel.

  1. Battery Charger 

Inside the control panel, there are independent fully automatic microprocessor-controlled battery chargers rated at 10 Amps. The battery chargers operate in such a manner as to ensure that the engine batteries are fully charged within 24 hours. PCB mounted LEDs are provided for indication of AC Power On, and Battery Power On.

  1. Circuit Breaker

Just as in many other electrical and electronic devices, the role of the circuit breaker is to stop the flow of current in case of overload or short-circuit. This mechanism is very crucial to keep your diesel engine safe from a sudden spurt in electricity.

The diesel engine control panel is thus an effective device to monitor and control your generator. These days, the panels also include hi-tech LCD screens, displays showing running time, oil pressure and temperature sensors, remote start or stop capabilities, and an emergency shut-down lever. While most manufacturers include these as standard features, you may place an order to assemble a customized control panel based on your unique requirements.

For more information on our products, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of the leading MCC panel manufacturers and Control Panel Manufacturers, VEMC provides end-to-end services to its clients. A renowned electrical panel manufacturer in Mumbai, VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

How Solar Panels Produce Electricity

by vemcoblogs -

Solar energy is one of the most promising sources of electricity owing to a number of inherent factors. Unlike conventional sources of energy like fossil fuels, solar radiation is abundantly received in most regions of the world. Electricity generation by solar requires little to no inputs of raw material and perfectly fits the bill for clean energy. But what is the science behind tapping solar energy? How exactly do solar panels produce electricity and how efficient is solar energy really? In this blog, we simplify the working principles behind solar electricity and elucidate your understanding of this magnificent fuel for the future.

Solar panels are made up of a number of Photovoltaic (PV) cells (named so because they convert solar energy into electric energy). The PV cells are made up of semiconductor materials such as silicon that absorb solar radiation and release a number of electrons, which then travel freely in the cell. To create an electric field when sunlight hits the panel, a positively and a negatively charged semiconductor is sandwiched together. The electric field directs the flow of the loose electrons towards the conductors lining the cell, which then flow through the wires as Direct Current (DC). 

The DC then reaches the inverter that converts it into the most commonly used Alternating Current (AC). Finally, a wire carries the AC from the inverter to an electric panel which acts as a junction for distributing the current throughout the building.

One PV cell typically generates two watts of electricity. However, when a large number of PV cells are connected together on a solar array (PV panel), hundreds or even thousands of kilowatts of electricity can be generated. A PV panel is made up of solar cells arranged in the configuration of 32, 36, 48, 60, 72, or 96 cells. The larger the assembly, the greater will the electricity produced be! The standard panel size for commercial use is 77 x 39 inches, while that for residential purposes is 65 x 39 inches. 

The energy efficiency of most PV panels ranges from 15% to 20% at present. This is affected by varying solar radiation received at different geographical locations. Sunlight also varies according to the time of the day and seasons of the year. Besides, obstruction, shade and unclean panels can also reduce production significantly.

The principle behind solar energy is quite simple. However, there’s still ample scope for advancements in order to boost production capacity and enhance efficiency. This demands generous funding in the field to promote research and innovation. For more information on various types of solar services, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of India’s best solar companies having 73 years of market experience, VEMC provides end-to-end Solar EPC services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Our sub-brand VEMCO Solar is one of the leading solar EPC companies — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections.

VEMC at 73: Recollecting the Years Gone By

by vemcoblogs -

On 11th August this year, VEMC turns 73. A business spanning the better part of the last century speaks volumes about our experience, expertise and competence. On the occasion of our 73rd anniversary therefore, we decided to take you down the memory lane by recollecting the years gone by.

Vijay Engineering and Machinery Co. was founded in 1948 by Late Shri Sharad Kumar Shah along with Late Shri Rajaram Shinde, both entrepreneurs par excellence with a penchant for engineering and machinery. Their first office was a 100 square feet room at Commerce House in Ropewalk Street Bombay. During those days, erratic electricity even in urban and commercial areas, often compelled users to look for alternatives for running their equipment. The company saw this as an opportunity worth exploring and participated in an import auction of Petter Field Engines. The product, owing to its high quality, turned out to be a great success and gave VEMC a spectacular start.

During the 1950’s, VEMC made its way to various government projects and forged associations with many renowned companies. These included Kirloskar Brothers, WRT Talwalkar Pvt. Ltd., Bush Electricals and MICO Full Injection Equipment Company. The diverse nature of these projects vastly added to our product basket and also to the depth of our client profiles. Strong emphasis on ethics-based business practices and customer-centred approach soon became the defining features of our brand.

The 60’s was a time of expansion for the company. In this period, the government framed policies that laid emphasis on providing basic necessities of life, especially water, to all citizens of the country. The dry hinterland of western India was an important focus area and became VEMC’s market for Vertical Turbine Pumps. After this, VEMC group took a bold step and went beyond their comfort zone of the western region, and established the Rajendra Engineering Company in West Bengal, as the state distributor of Cooper Engines.

Radical changes in the style of doing business were seen in the decades between 1970 and 1990. The scope of work changed from supply of products to taking up turnkey projects, especially in the water pumping business. With its dynamic leadership at the helm, VEMC was up for the challenge and established Shailesh Engineering in Bangalore, a company that mostly handled turnkey projects for government’s water supply scheme and thermal power plants.

As the Indian economy opened up in 1991, new challenges came our way. Multinational companies began making in-roads into the Indian market giving VEMC and its partners a very stiff competition. However, the many years of trust and high-standards of service now bore fruit as the company remained unfazed in the wake of this altered situation. In fact, new avenues, such as building and construction began opening up to VEMC. In 1996, VEMC was awarded as the number one channel partner across India! In the period from 2003-08, the company grew at a rate of 20% CAGR, owing largely to its government projects.

Thus, after years of arduous efforts and strongly rooted business ethics, VEMC has been able to carve out a unique brand image for itself: one that emanates unfailing trust, relentless confidence and an inspiring vision for the future.

How Solar, Wind, and Hydropower can Outclass Coal Energy

by vemcoblogs -

For a very long time in modern human history, coal dominated the energy market as the cheapest, most easily available, and readily combustible source of energy. Coal energy was in fact the force behind the Industrial Revolution and continued to power factories, trains, and smelting furnaces, even into the twenty-first century.

However, today there is a huge concern to shift our energy demands from fossil fuels such as coal to renewable energy like solar, wind, and hydropower. This is due to the growing awareness about environmental issues and also the exhausting fossil reserves across the world. In the developed world, the transition is already evident, with shrinking demand for coal in the electricity sector. More and more power plants are switching over to solar and wind farms as the main source of energy to generate electricity. In the US, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the demand for coal in the electricity sector shrank from 28% in 2018 to 22% in 2019 (source).

As declining reserves of coal impact supply and leads to increased prices, renewable energy will be seen as a more cost-effective source of energy. This will draw the commercial sector further towards renewable energy as it will not just make them more compliant with their environmental legislation but also help them cut their energy bills and improve their margins.

India has set itself a target of producing 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, out of which 100 GW will come from solar energy, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from biomass, and 5 GW from hydropower (source). Increasing reliance on non-fossil energy is especially important for India to keep threats from climate change under check while its economy grows at a steady pace.

Critics take an interesting line of attack at renewable energy: The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. This seems like a valid criticism but overlooks the stupendous growth of research and innovation in renewable energy (especially solar energy), backed by generous funding. This has greatly enhanced the storage systems so that the energy is used as and when needed. This has also placed renewable energy on the trajectory of increasing efficiency and declining equipment costs.

As fossils fade away into the background of the energy conundrum, renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and hydropower will form the dominating portfolio for our energy needs of the future.

For more information on various types of solar services, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match, based on your requirements. As one of India’s best solar companies with 73 years of market experience, VEMC provides end-to-end Solar EPC services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Our sub-brand VEMCO Solar is one of the leading solar EPC companies — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections.