Total Coverage Approach

Four areas to protect for C-store coverage

By George Andrews

Since the advent of PCs and process controllers, electronics have taken over our daily lives. Today's convenience store has more electronic equipment devices than ever deemed imaginable, and more innovations are on the way. Almost every electrical device from the ATM to the energy management system to the price sign is controlled by some sort of electronics. All the accounting, security and electronic information is stored on computer-based equipment within the store. But what can be done to protect this equipment and its data?

Transient Voltages
The damage from transient voltages costs industry billions of dollars in revenue a year in equipment losses, system downtime, inventory loss (i.e., spoiled food) and lost opportunities. The C-store/Retail Petroleum Industry is no exception. Whether the damage is from catastrophic voltages such as lightning and power grid problems, or by the constant transient surges caused by equipment within the facility such as electronic lighting ballasts, variable frequency drives, compressors, etc., the results are the same. Industry studies have shown that 80 percent of all transient surges and noise are actually internally generated and affect sensitive electronics like POS, ATM, ATG, computers and dispensers, as well as items like lighting, refrigeration and HVAC.

Figure 1 ELECTRICAL PANELS Surge suppressor on the Main Service Panel to protect the C-Store from any transients on the incoming AC lines caused by lightning or power grid activity. Surge suppressor(s) with sinewave tracking on the Sub-Panel(s) to protect equipment and electronics from any internally generated transients on the AC lines. Surge suppressor with sinewave tracking on the Pump Panel to protect electronics (dispenser, ATG, POS) from internally generated transients or externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, etc.

Transients have always been present, but their effects have not always been noticed. It was not until manufacturers began to reduce component sizes and operating voltages that the damaging effects became evident. These unseen transients can cause breakdown in insulation and pitting in electrical contacts; they can also induce noise and cause premature failure of electronics and data corruption. It is the internal transients produced within a C-store that can result in a service tech saying “the board just died.” In reality, an electronic component was damaged by transients over time.

Value-Added Service
The fueling system, which is critical to the operation of the convenience store, is normally supplied and maintained by PEI member companies. Being in front of owners, specifying engineers and oil company personnel affords the PEI distributor a great opportunity to be a potential problem solver. With the knowledge of how to and which products are needed to protect the total convenience store from the effects of unwanted transients and “noise,” the distributor can rise from being just a sales organization to a consultant.

Figure 2 DATA INTERFACE BOXES Surge suppressor on the Dispenser Data Box to protect the dispenser data interface board and POS from externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, etc. Surge suppressor on the Cardreader Data Box to protect the cardreader data interface board and POS from externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, etc.

Many major convenience store chains, oil companies, grocery stores and hypermarkets have been installing surge suppression on the main electrical panels for years. With the knowledge they have obtained from their experiences, many have realized there are ways to increase their functional reliability. One of the issues was that equipment protection was inadequate due to the fact that there was more than one point of entrance for transient voltages. Companies have expanded their surge protection coverage, or are evaluating ways to ensure better performance, operation and reliability.

Convenience stores are unique from most facilities. Most buildings have the main electrical service coming into the facility and most, if not all, electrical conduit remains within the facility. This is not the case with a convenience store. Many times there are more conduits outside the building due to the dispensers, canopy lights, price sign, tank gauges, etc. These conditions make a convenience store much more susceptible to the voltage transients caused by lightning and other underground electrical events. To aggravate the situation, there are also long runs of low voltage data wires running to the outside equipment. All of these items are passageways for transients to damage equipment or corrupt data.

Total Coverage
Most individuals think they are covered if they protect the main AC coming into a facility and maybe a telephone/satellite line. In a convenience store, this mindset would leave the owner wide open for “back door” damage.

To best protect a convenience store and its fueling system, take a total coverage approach, which can be broken down into four distinct areas: Electrical Panels, Data Interface, Point of Sale and Dispensers, as shown in Figures 1 through 4.

Figure 3 POINT OF SALE SURGE SUPPRESSION Surge suppressor on each of the Accessory Inputs to the Point of Sale to protect the Point of Sale from transients coming through externally connected devices such as satellite, telephone, car wash controller, etc.

Figure 4 DISPENSER SURGE SUPPRESSION Surge suppressor on the Cardreader Data Line to protect the cardreader data port on the dispenser from externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, etc. Surge suppressor on the Dispenser Data Line to protect the dispenser data port on dispenser from externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, etc. Surge suppressor on the AC Line to protect sensitive dispenser electronics from externally generated transients from fuel islands, conduit, lighted valances, etc.

Other Convenience Store Equipment
In addition to the fueling equipment, there are numerous other devices that are just as vulnerable. Systems such as car washes, energy management, closed circuit security and computers all have the basic components of AC lines and data transmission. Damage to any of these systems can cost the owner on the bottom line.

Because of the uniqueness of the products in the fueling system, a PEI distributor is in the best position to recommend solutions, becoming an invaluable ally to the customer while increasing net value.

Surge protection is just part of the total power quality picture. It does not negate the need for uninterruptible power supplies, which allow for orderly equipment shutdown, or for power conditioners in areas where you have variations in voltages. For the best return on investment, the convenience store industry should address power quality on all fronts.

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The PEI Journal • First Quarter 2007 • Volume 1, No. 1 • Contents are Copyright © Data Key Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved. • Nothing may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.