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Preventive Maintenance Guidance for Industrial Circuit Breakers

Getting the Most from Your Industrial Circuit Breakers

What Do Robots, Kids and Couches Have in Common?

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Industrial Circuit Breaker Repair Experts

Preventive Maintenance Guidance for Industrial Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers form the foundation of safety for any industrial electrical system as they protect both your equipment and your crew from harm caused by overloaded circuits, short circuits, and other electrical problems. All protective systems should have a routine maintenance system in place to make sure everything is working as it should, and preventive maintenance will help you avoid costly breakdowns and industrial circuit breaker repairs.

Getting the Most from Your Industrial Circuit Breakers

Industrial circuit breakers are a necessary component of every electrical system to protect your crew and equipment from danger. When they become damaged or broken, an immediate replacement is required to prevent downtime. Still, the cost to replace industrial circuit breakers can range from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. In many cases, companies can save a considerable amount of cash over the lifetime of their equipment by reconditioning breakers for reuse rather than replacing and discarding.

What Do Robots, Kids and Couches Have in Common?

The Lincoln-Way Central Robotics Club enjoyed a fantastic 2019-2020 season, including making it to the last round of state qualification in the international FIRST Tech Challenge. Quad Plus is proud to support this talented group of young builders, and we’re excited to tell you more about their successful year and what they’re looking forward to in the upcoming months.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

To maintain a healthy and safe business environment and do our part to control the spread of COVID-19, Quad Plus has created a pandemic response plan so we can safely continue providing essential services to our customers. The plan is based on up-to-date CDC and Federal Administrations guidelines as of March 26, 2020. But because the COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation with different restrictions and requirements for each state, our specific policy must remain flexible. We continue to monitor the situation daily and will communicate changes to our policy as they become necessary.

Industrial Circuit Breaker Repair Experts

Power distribution and switchgear equipment are critical to the operation of your business, and the heart of every power distribution system are circuit breakers. These devices are responsible for protecting your crew from injury and your equipment from damage, so it’s easy to see why spotting signs of trouble is critical. When it comes to industrial circuit breaker repair, you can trust the experts at Quad Plus. Here are three signs it’s time to give us a call.
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Shredder System Off and Storage

If you need to disconnect power to your Quad Plus system, this removes the heater logic from the motor. In such cases were power is to be isolated longer than one month, temporary 240v (or specified voltage) must be run to the point of termination at the motor.

For all other inquiries regarding storage and/or idling, please see the following Quad Plus Motor Storage Instructions. Read More

Why do I need special cables for VFDs

Choosing the right cable for your variable frequency drive is critical to the operation of your system and avoiding costly downtime. To better understand why special cables are necessary, we’ll take a look at both the immediate and long-term impact that improper cables and configurations can have on your equipment along with ways to minimize problems.

Corporate Social Responsibility - Quad Plus UK

In the United Kingdom, Corporate Social Responsible takes many forms ranging from supporting charitable causes to helping out the next generation of young people to improve their future work prospects. Quad Plus is proud to have received the “Greater Manchester – Chamber of Commerce” Social Value Award for 2019. Ian Trow, our United Kingdom business lead, received the Social Value Award from Lucy Mulligan - Head of Patron Development. The recognition is for the hard work that Ian has donated towards a good cause that benefits the wider community of Greater Manchester.

Professional Engineering Service

Quad Plus is your single source engineering and technology partner and we look forward to helping meet your needs through the system integration lifecycle. In the world of professional engineering, experience is what sets a company apart from the competition. Cooper & Associates , a Quad Plus company, has over thirty years of experience in the industry and multiple engineers have that length of experience in their respective discipline.

Turnkey Solutions From Design to Production

Quad Plus has experience with a variety of facilities and applications to provide turnkey solutions from design to production. We deliver the resources needed for new installations in large scale industrial processes and for retrofitting viable legacy machinery.

Quad Plus is a single source technology solution

Our Customers need to know that working with Quad Plus can be very convenient as they only need to contact one sales person in order to get their concerns addressed. Implementing the strategy of offering "a single source technology solution" is expected to build better relationships with our customers.

2019 IEEE-IAS - PCA Cement Conference

Quad Plus and Quad Plus Europe are in Booth #628 at the cement conference held in St. Louis, Missouri at the 2019 IEEE-IAS / PCA Conference. This is the largest conference in the cement industry and will include presentations of the latest technology covering a variety of topics important to the industry. Quad Plus & Quad Plus Europe have both been working in the cement industry and are there to help provide in-depth knowledge of the products and applications. We have recently been providing solutions to some of the largest cement companies in the world and our global footprint has expanded to operations in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, and Asia. We have partnered with control system parts manufacturers, such as Siemens, Rockwell, and ABB to ensure our solution works each specific customer.

Jojo Rides for Ulman Foundation's 4k For Cancer

Joe (Jojo) Crosetto is a sophomore at The University of Saint Thomas in Minnesota. In the summer of 2019, he will be traveling with a group of college-aged students on a 70-day, 4000+ mile ride from Baltimore to Seattle, raising money and awareness for the Ulman Foundation. Jojo has worked in various segments of the Quad Plus business while pursuing his education. He is backed by everyone here at Quad Plus and we wish him luck on his journey.

Zentel Tech Optimizes Rare Book Storage HVAC

Zentel Tech was contacted by the director of commissioning for a world renown institution to investigate issues with the HVAC in their rare book storage. Zentel Tech reviewed all of the information and equipment. The initial complaint was that the heat was being carried over to the supply air from the desiccant regeneration system causing the temperature to rise in the rare book storage. A secondary issue was the motor for the desiccant wheel failed due to the motor leads overheating.

Transformation Part 10

Quad Plus’s CAD Department has always introduced some of the best ideas that result in great outcomes. From the time we watched the shop primitively measure and build the back panel until now, tremendous changes have taken place in the CAD Department. Because of Quad Plus’s CAD team willingness to learn and incorporate the best solutions, methods, and tool available, a skill upgrade has been added as part of the CAD designer/drafter job requirements at Quad Plus.

Quad Plus – ISRI 2019 in Booth #1237

Quad Plus has teams of over 300 experts electrical, mechanical, civil and structural, chemical, and control engineers. Our expertise lies in delivering complete, integrated control systems and getting results for our customers here at home, and around the world. Quad Plus is an industry leading system integrator providing motors and controls for car shredders. We offer complete solutions, from meeting with power companies and designing a medium-voltage layout to supplying AC or DC shredder drive systems. Once running, we provide parts and expertise to keep your systems operating efficiently.

March Madness Free Throw Competition Winner 2019

The 2019 March Madness free-throw contest was hosted in the inclement weather of Joliet, IL. The Siberian wind howled as the players battled to make uncontested shots!!! When the dust settled, Ubaldo Perez had won the 2019 March Madness free-throw contest. Ubaldo was in town from our Houston office and graciously did not gloat or boast even though he laid the smackdown on all of us northerners.

Robotics and Engineering Competitive Team

The 2018/2019 robot season has begun for the Lincoln-Way Central Fighting Knights! With the help and support of Quad Plus, the team is in the final stage of prep for their first competition this weekend. Frantic robot modifications and program tweaks are keeping team members busy after school and on the weekends. Go Knights!

Shredder Life! A 4,000HP Belted Shredder System!!!

Quad Plus was out for our annual maintenance on a 4,000HP Belted shredder system! Quad Plus works with companies of all sizes to create AC or DC drive systems that include an electric motor, transformer(s), circuit breakers, and electric drive cabinet. This technology converts electricity from the utility line to power the shredder, providing more functionality at a lower cost. Making this energy-efficient yet powerful technology available to customers is the primary focus of the Large Drive Division within Quad Plus.

Scott's Scraps: SIEMENS K-Frame Rebuild

A complete teardown and rebuild of a SIEMENS MasterDrive K-Frame caused by an improperly placed IGBT within the U phase leading to a dangerous arc-flash event. Our in-house expert Scott, documents the steps that Quad Plus takes to rebuild from this costly issue. Make sure to always have your drives serviced and maintained.

Scott's Scraps: SIEMENS Sinamics PM240 Power Block

The Drive had a massive failure within a U phase IGBT, causing damage to the IGBTs, IGBT Control Board and the Bus distribution plate and insulators. VeeArc will clean and repair the IGBT and IGBT Control Board assembly, rebuild the Bus distribution plate Insulators and perform a full functionality test to save the end user the cost of a New Drive replacement and get their motor back up and spinning like a ballerina on a merry-go-round.

New Synchronous Motor Field Application Systems

Quad Plus has completed their installation portion of the 45 million dollar Electrical Distribution revamp of The City of Chicago’s South Water Purification Plant. This first phase of the project was to install 9 new PCP’s (Pump Control Panels), for 7 synchronous and 2 induction motors. These panels completely changed how the motors were started from the existing systems installed in the late 1940’s. The installation team consisted of MG Electric (general contractor), Quad Plus (provided 7 Synchronous Motor Field Applications Systems), Siemens Industry, Inc. Switchgear Division (supplied new Switchgear and motor starters), and Allen ICS (Supplied SCADA equipment and programming). One of the challenges was that the Plant could not be shut down to accomplish this retrofit.

Quad Plus™ – Houston now certified to ISO 9001:2015!

Quad Plus™ is excited to announce that our Houston office successfully transitioned the NSA Quality Management System (QMS) Certification to the ISO 9001:2015 Standard. The Houston office received its ISO 9001:2008 certification in April 2016 and has passed each External Registrar audit without a finding. The transition to ISO 2015 presented us with an opportunity to streamline many of our work processes while also incorporating the new requirements for business strategic planning, risk evaluation/mitigation, and organizational knowledge sharing into the QMS. We congratulate our team for successfully achieving this critical milestone, but more so for patiently using the QMS work processes in order to help us improve them. We are looking forward to our 3-year ISO 9001 Certification renewal audit in February 2019.

Ask Al - Medium Voltage Drive Topology Primer

Recent semiconductor technology advances have resulted in an increase of medium voltage drive models on the market. Unlike the low voltage market, these drives offer a variety of power circuit topologies. This video primer reviews the most common topologies available from major vendors, along with key advantages and challenges.

Large Drive Division Sold 100th Shredder Drive

Industrial application and services company Quad Plus sold its 100th automotive shredder drive to Lakeside Auto Recyclers, a Carter Lake, Iowa-based automotive recycling company.

Toroidal Plasma Device - HIDRA Installation

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Center for Plasma-Material Interactions (CPMI) looked to Quad Plus Senior Engineer Kent Wegley for expertise in safely installing a toroidal plasma device known as HIDRA.

2018 Annual Electrical Safety Training Program

Quad Plus & Siemens are working together to increase public awareness of the electrical hazards around us.

Ask Al presented by Quad Plus - Semiconductors

Diode, SCR, IGBT, SGCT, IGCT Puck and Isolated Base packages are used in all variable speed drive systems. A failure of one of these devices is typically the most costly from both the repair and downtime points of view. In this video, we discuss some myths and practical actions you can take to properly diagnose semiconductor problems and replace devices.

Transformation – Part 9 C

In our first few posts, we indicated the team-work effort between Quad Plus engineering, management, CAD, and the shop. There is no limit set for introducing one’s ideas or giving recommendations. At Quad Plus, all ideas and recommendations are encouraged, valued, and taken into consideration.

Transformation – Part 9 B

We are all wondering, what’s up with this project? Some parts are out of their boxes, other parts are laid loosely on the back panels, yet others are being carried to the panel to join other parts. What is going on?

Transformation – Part 9 A

In previous posts of the CAD Department Development story, we mentioned several AutoCAD features that were used in our electrical design drafting. We spoke about the tremendous change the CAD Department development brought to our performance as CAD drafters. As was previously mentioned, the effect of the development has expanded beyond the drafting department to contribute to Quad Plus’s overall productivity, time saving, safety, and elimination of frustration and boredom.

Ask Al - Siemens Masterdrive Servicing

I have received many notifications about the discontinuation of the Siemens Masterdrive. As an owner of this drive system, this is the type of communication that causes anxiety. Questions such as How am I going to get parts, repairs, and service immediately start swirling in your head. And the biggest question of all is, if I have to remove and replace these drives, how much will it cost, how long will it take, and are their implications to my automation system.

So, what exactly does this notice mean?

Transformation – Part 8

It has been a while since our last Transformation post! We miss being with you!

In the past few weeks, we worked on something that is a little different. This post include writing about a real Transformation in the CAD Department which is part of what we wanted to communicate with you from the beginning of our CAD Department Development story. Time has finally made it!

Fan-tastic

How long should your fan run for?

We all know we shouldn’t wait until our cooling fans come to a complete stop before replacing them on our Motor Drive/Power supply units. By not having the proper cooling ventilation on our equipment it can cause overheating causing electronic devices to malfunction or fail resulting in severe damage to the Drive/Power Unit. .

So...what are some of the steps to prevent these types of failures

Transformation – Part 7

Transformation-Part 6 discussed the idea of the communication process that takes place between the CAD drafter and the AutoCAD software. In Transformation-Part 7, you will accompany us as we march through the CAD development years and watch some of our CAD team skills’ enhancement. Let’s go…

Should you spare the money for a spare VFD?

Spare a spare. Should you or shouldn't you?

Does your company have an action plan for a critical drive going down? Quad Plus can help with that!

KROENERT and Quad Plus

Quad Plus joined KROENERT in their booth at the International Converting Exhibition (ICE) in Orlando, Florida in April 2017.

Transformation – Part 6

As you got to explore a little about the AutoCAD software in Transformation – Part 5, in Transformation Part – 6, you to gain some knowledge about the relationship between the AutoCAD software and the CAD drafter which is a very interesting relationship.

Ask Al presented by Quad Plus - Reforming Capacitors

Many AC Drives and other inverter types (i.e. solar) contain aluminum electrolytic capacitors for DC bus filtering. If these capacitors have been in storage for a period of time, for example in your spares, they may explode if reforming is not performed BEFORE applying full power. In this video we explain what is going on in the capacitor and what you can do to prevent explosions.

Transformation - Part 5

In Transformation – Part 4, the writer shared with you her perspective about the CAD Department Development Story, and asked you to move with us to Transformation – Part 5 to get introduced to the software, so we can share a nice understanding of our CAD work.

Transformation - Part 4

In transformation - Part 3, we wrote about the starting point of the CAD Department Development. In this one, Transformation – Part 4, we have something new for you. You are probably getting anxious right now about what this story is hiding for you. We certainly understand, but please bear with us a bit because, at this point, we decided to slow down a little. Want to know why? It’s because of, listen…

Your Drives Are Safe with Us

At Quad Plus we care about your drives and aim to provide a safe working environment for the sensitive electronics that your company depends on. Our state-of-the-art repair shop ensures the correct handling of your equipment so you can rest assured that devices are functional right out of the package once you receive your repaired shipment.

Understanding the Essentials of RIA R15.06:2012

The new Robotics Industry Association (RIA) standard for robots and robot systems (RIA R15.06:2012) will have a significant impact on all businesses using robotic automation. It’s important that all businesses that utilize robots in their facilities are aware of the changes to robotic safety that have been brought about by this new standard update, and begin to set aside both funds and time in order to implement the new changes in an efficient manner.

OSHA Compliance

Simply Being “OSHA Compliant” Is Not Enough

Clients often ask: Does OSHA require compliance with ISO 13849, (such as evaluating a machine control system to insure it meets the correct Performance Level)? Perhaps a more accurate question is: What is the difference between compliance and liability?

Machine Safety Standards

With so many rules and regulations related to safety, it can be confusing to figure them all out.

To help clear things up, we do our best to explain the ISO 12100:2010, ISO 14121-1:2007, ISO 13849-1:2006 Safety Standards

Wait More Than a Year, Fuses You May Clear

Virtually all low voltage Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) that have not been powered up for over a year must be reformed or they could vent upon power up causing serious damage to the internal components of the Drive. Quad Plus offers reforming services both onsite and in house, as well as Capacitor bank studies and evaluations.

Transformation - Part 3

Getting Started

When a project reaches our CAD Department desks, we, the CAD team, start developing the schematic and Mechanical drawing sets. Let’s not forget, however, that back in the day - which is around the year 2014 and before, we could only develop the schematic part of the project drawings. Upon completion, we submitted the drawing set to the shop to use in developing the Back-Panel layout.

Transformation - Part 2

Just got back from the Engineering Department.

The time we spent with our Quad Plus Engineers was educational, enriching, and also fun!

What Makes A Factory Smart?

The majority of us own a smart phone. Why not make our Industry Smart too?

As technology keeps improving and is implemented into the industrial world, Industry 4.0 is starting to play a prominent role.

Transformation - Part 1

Right from the source…

Thank you for your interest in the history of our CAD design development!

We are excited to share our story with you & will be happy to read your comments & answer your questions after you have read the entire story. Prepare to spend some good time with us.

CAD Department Development - Getting Started

Today, we are easily able to develop all drawings needed for any of the company’s projects ? Ambition, commitment, & determination of the CAD team, along with Quad Plus Management’s support & guidance, brought our CAD work great success during the time of development.

I weeennnnttt tooooo the Danger-zone!!

Most manufacturing facilities use floor tape or painted lines on the floor to differentiate various zones and personnel traffic areas. Knowing what color the DANGER or Hazardous areas are marked with is very important to your life expectancy as a Field Service Technician. However there are currently no government-mandated regulations regarding Floor tape color codes.

Don't Start No Static!

Electro-static discharge (ESD) can be a serious problem when handling electronic equipment. It can cause permanent damage in both an immediate and latent fashion causing components to fail prematurely. The little electric arc we produce when touching a door knob is somewhere between 2,000 and can be as much as 35,000 volts!

CAD Department Development - A Walk into the Past

In recognition of the CAD Department’s distinguished improvement over a very short period of time, Quad Plus was pleased to ask the CAD Team to share their skill development story with Quad Plus website viewers. The CAD Team agreed to provide the website with one post every week where they will tell our readers about the accomplishments and the outcomes of their development. The CAD team will provide as many posts as needed until the story has been told

We hope that you will enjoy reading our story, and please don’t forget to comment, ask questions, or make suggestions. We will be happy to read your comments and address your concerns.

Do you know the many ways to use PWM?

Pulse-width Modulation (PWM) is a term used to describe a digital output signal being sent to constant HIGH depending on the duty cycle and can be programmed to control different applications in a control circuitry. This same technology is being used to run the fan for your PC device you are using while reading this blog.

CAD Development - Accuracy with Efficiency

We hope that you will enjoy reading our story, and please don’t forget to comment, ask questions, or make suggestions. We will be happy to read your comments and address your concerns.

Don't Put The Squeeze on Your IGBT's

When removing and replacing a defective Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) be sure to remove all residual thermal transfer compound and remove any dirt or grime on the heatsink.

Gigi's Playhouse - I Have a Voice Gala

Several employees of Quad Plus attended the “I Have a Voice Gala” on April 20, 2018. Quad Plus is a proud supporter of Gigi’s Playhouse. We were honored to be invited and take part in the festivities.

CAD Department Development - Success

Success!

Have you ever thought of a goal that is common amongst all living creatures in the world?

Well, here is one for you… SUCCESS!!!

Don't Blow Your Cap Off!

Capacitors play a major role in our Variable frequency drives (VFD), keeping them up-to-date and working properly can save us from major headaches down the line.

Avery Dennison Third Annual Awards Ceremony

Quad Plus was recognized as "Supplier of the Year" from Avery Dennison

Diversity

When I first joined the company in 1999, Quad plus was, in many ways, a stereotypical, small integrator. We have changed in SO many ways over the years but as I sat around our conference room table the other day discussing a job, one thing really jumped out at me….. Our Diversity.

Improved True Constant Tension Brush Arm Package

Quad Plus is excited to introduce the enhanced True Constant Tension Brush Arm package, ideally suited for longer run times and increased productivity. After undergoing more than two years of testing, we’re confident that this new brush holder has been truly perfected.