Precision Voltage Regulation For High Octane Race Action


Case Study For Formula One Singapore Grand Prix

In 2008, Formula One first ventured to the Republic for its inaugural $150 million night race event – drawing up to 268,000 spectators to the Marina Bay Street Circuit. 

 

With no room for error in precision motorsport racing, Singapore GP demands only the highest level of power quality. 

 

Over 1,600 industrial-strength floodlights are powered by 100,000 metres of cable – snaking their way around the circuit.

 

To comply with Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regulations, the lighting at the track must be 3,000-lux levels (on average), which is around four times brighter than those at a regular sporting stadium.

Photos at the end

 

The Problem:
Floodlight Flicker On The Race Track

Incoming voltage levels from the grid in Singapore are considered stable – even by international standards. But the culprit lies in constant change in current from other loads on the same electrical system. 

 

This change in current causes inconsistent voltage fluctuation – which is fed to high-powered track lightings.

 

While the incoming voltage still meets national electrical requirements, these voltage values are not optimised for critical applications, in this case – race track lights.

 

Threading the barriers under these high-power floodlights, cars would reach speeds of up to 325km/h.

 

 

 

A night race bathed in pulsating floodlights can be distracting or even nauseating for drivers in non-stop race action (up to 2 hours long). 

 

Floodlight flicker is unacceptable because it compromises drivers’ safety and performance.

 

To ensure a successful event, the challenge was to eliminate any form of distraction from overhead floodlight flickers  – regardless of the load change on the same electrical system. 

 

Taken from a night race simulation with flickering lights. Such issues could be devastating for drivers.

 

 

The Ashley Edison (UK) Solution 

Ashley Edison identified that the following challenges had to be resolved – while meeting the client’s requirements: 

• Client: DZ Engineering SRL (Italian Motorsports System & Sports Lighting Specialist)
• With 24 Power Distribution Units (PDU) across the race track, voltages had to be stabilised at each and every PDU.
• In this case, the Voltage fluctuations were an inherent problem – caused by load change.
• Conventional isolation transformers are based on a fixed calculated value, so they could not solve this inherent problem caused by load change.
• Total power rating requirements of up to 1,320 KVA.
• Strict safety requirements that only approve verified vendors.

 

A Supercharged Team That’s Ready To Go

In 2014, Ashley Edison supplied a custom-built solution for the Singapore Grand Prix – that would eliminate every possibility of floodlight flickering on the race tracks.

 

The OSES Series of Outdoor Servo-Electronic Automatic Voltage Stabilizers – were installed at each and every one of the 24 Power Distribution Units throughout the entire track. The Ashley Edison team is involved in the installation and commissioning of the setup.

 

 

Illuminating The Night Circuit

The OSES Series – Automatic Voltage Stabiliser offers extreme voltage protection for 3 Phase applications that demand highly precise output regulation and ultra-fast response speed. These voltage stabilizers are based on the Servo Electronic Digitally Enhanced Design, which boasts reliability for critical applications.

 

This specified Automatic Voltage Stabiliser series includes:

• Servo Electronic Digitally Enhanced Design
• Stepless Voltage Regulation (± 0.5% output voltage accuracy)
• Forced-Air Cooling for improved operational efficiency
• Fast Response Time (<1.5ms)
• Inbuilt High Overload Capability (10x max current rating for 2 seconds)
• Independent Phase Balancing & Control: Automatic voltage sensing & precise regulation to ensure individual phase voltages remain stable – regardless of load change or unbalance.
• Wide input voltage tolerance that compensates for low voltage values from 340V, and covers high voltage values up to 460V.
• Transient Voltage Surge Protection (TVSS) protects critical loads against harmful high energy surges, transients, and spikes.
• Class II SPD – Lightning Surge Protection
• Endurable Outdoor Enclosure – IP54 (BS / EN 60529) / NEMA 3 
• AquaStop – Protective PCB coating against moisture ingress

The Complete Solution comprises the following:

• Automatic Voltage Stabilisers (Model: SES Series)
  • 55 KVA x 24 units

The Results

Through rain or shine, the installation of the Servo Electronic Digitally Enhanced Automatic Voltage Stabilizers delivered constant and stabilized voltages to all critical loads – including Communications, CCTV, and Track Lighting.

 

All 24 units are comprehensively maintained on an annual basis, ready for plug and play – at the annual race event. 

 

Each year, the Singapore Grand Prix continues to achieve massive success with a bigger turnout than ever before.

 

As the nation eagerly awaits the reboot of a glorious Formula One Night Race, Ashley Edison is geared up to support the world of Motorsports – full speed ahead. 

 

To learn more about how you can optimise your electrical or lighting systems, drop us an email at [email protected].

 

For more case studies on how the Petrol, Oil & Gas industry is capitalising on these industry techniques, read about their project here.