Ensuring a stable, safe and linear electrical supply is one of the most complex engineering challenges for heavy industries operating in Latin America. In the Oil & Gas sector, and particularly in the petroleum sector, continuous processes cannot tolerate interruptions: voltage variations, overvoltages, undervoltages, line drops and network disturbances can compromise the correct operation of measuring instruments, control systems, auxiliary panels, automation devices and electronic equipment installed in plants.
In critical industrial environments, operational continuity also depends on the quality of the electrical power supply. Unstable voltage can lead to plant shutdowns, malfunctions in supervision systems, premature component wear and risks for site safety. For this reason, the use of single-phase voltage stabilisers and dedicated surge protection systems is a strategic choice to ensure reliability and safety.
A recent supply project developed by Ortea for a major player in the Oil & Gas sector in Mexico highlights the importance of adopting highly customised voltage stabilisation solutions for challenging industrial contexts, where protection of critical equipment and service continuity are essential requirements.
VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS AND CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE MEXICAN POWER GRID FOR HEAVY INDUSTRY
The electricity distribution network in Mexico presents well-known structural issues that can directly affect industrial efficiency and the operational continuity of plants.
The main critical issues include:
VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS AND LINE DROPS
The high concentration of industrial plants and the saturation of power lines can cause voltage fluctuations, sudden variations in the power supply, overvoltages and undervoltages. These phenomena are particularly critical for the petroleum sector, where automation, control and monitoring systems must operate continuously and reliably.
DISTANCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The long distances between generation centres and extraction, refining or processing sites can cause significant voltage drops along the transmission network. In large industrial hubs and Oil & Gas facilities, these conditions make it necessary to adopt voltage stabilisation and surge protection solutions capable of safeguarding sensitive loads.
For an oil company, where control and monitoring systems must remain active 24/7, relying on the electrical grid without an intermediate protection system represents an unacceptable technological and economic risk.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SINGLE-PHASE VOLTAGE STABILISERS IN THE OIL & GAS SECTOR
While large industrial machines use three-phase power supplies, the most delicate and vital control systems in an oil plant often require a perfectly stabilised single-phase supply.
Single-phase voltage stabilisers are specifically used to protect loads that are critical for plant operational continuity, including:
DCS/PLC AUTOMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
Industrial computers and logic controllers manage safety valves, pumping systems, crude oil refining processes and supervision functions. A sudden voltage variation can generate control errors, software blocks or unwanted shutdowns.
TELEMETRY INSTRUMENTATION AND SENSORS
Pressure, flow and temperature sensors monitor the integrity of flows in pipelines and provide essential data for safe plant management. In the petroleum sector, power supply stability is essential to ensure reliable measurements and reduce the risk of operational anomalies.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SECURITY SYSTEMS
Network devices, CCTV systems, perimeter alarms and communication equipment are critical elements for site safety. Surge protection and voltage stabilisation help prevent faults, service interruptions and disruptions to safety functions.
A failure or software block caused by a voltage fluctuation can result in a plant shutdown with significant economic losses or, in the most critical cases, potential environmental and operational hazards.
ANTARES ELECTROMECHANICAL STABILISERS FOR THE OIL & GAS PROJECT IN MEXICO
To meet the customer’s specifications, Ortea configured and supplied a series of electromechanical stabilisers from the Antares range, designed to operate in harsh industrial environments and ensure electrical stability for critical equipment.
The technical supply includes:
- Models supplied: 10 kVA and 20 kVA Antares stabilisers;
- Input voltage: 120V ±15%;
- Output voltage: 120V ±1%;
- Network frequency: 60Hz ±5%, configured for the North American market;
- Integrated isolation transformer: copper, with K13 insulation class;
- Advanced protections: automatic protection circuit breakers and Class II output surge suppressors;
- Protective enclosure: metal cabinet with IP23 protection degree, NEMA 1;
- Operating ambient temperature: up to 40°C.
The 120V ±1% output voltage ensures extremely accurate regulation of the connected load, even in the presence of strong network fluctuations. This feature is particularly relevant in the Oil & Gas sector, where sensitive loads must operate without interruption and with controlled electrical parameters.
SURGE PROTECTION AND K13 ISOLATION TRANSFORMER FOR CRITICAL LOADS
In addition to voltage stabilisation, the supply integrates specific components for surge protection and galvanic isolation of sensitive loads.
The K13 isolation transformer installed in the Antares stabilisers is made of copper and designed to withstand the heat generated by industrial harmonics. The K13 rating indicates the transformer’s ability to manage thermal stress caused by harmonic currents, which are frequent in heavy industrial environments, with thermal resistance up to 220°C.
The integration of Class II output Surge Suppressors helps protect the connected equipment from transient events and electrical disturbances that could compromise service continuity.
This combination of stabilisation, galvanic isolation and surge protection makes the solution particularly suitable for oil plants, petrochemical plants and industrial applications where safety, reliability and operational continuity are absolute priorities.
HOW DOES AN ELECTROMECHANICAL VOLTAGE STABILISER WORK?
An electromechanical voltage stabiliser continuously corrects input voltage variations through a regulation system based on a servomotor, autotransformer and control circuit.
When the input voltage varies from the nominal value, the system automatically intervenes to bring the output voltage back within the required range. In this way, it protects electronic equipment, automation systems, auxiliary panels, field instrumentation and sensitive loads from voltage fluctuations, overvoltages, undervoltages and line drops.
In the Oil & Gas sector, this technology helps maintain a stable power supply for critical single-phase loads, supporting plant operational continuity and reducing the risk of shutdowns.
CUSTOM-MADE VOLTAGE STABILISERS: TECHNICAL AND AESTHETIC PERSONALISATION
One distinctive aspect of this project lies in its aesthetic and structural customisation. The stabilisers were manufactured with a special military green finish, RAL 6011.
Within large oil and petrochemical sites, storage infrastructure, emergency generator sets, technical shelters and compressor rooms often follow strict corporate colour codes linked to environmental camouflage or plant fluid-dynamic coding.
Supplying the machines with a RAL 6011 finish enables immediate and standardised visual integration with the site’s existing installations.
This detail highlights Ortea’s flexibility: the company does not simply supply standard products, but adapts the engineering to the customer’s requirements, from electrical performance to mechanical layout, from protection configuration through to aesthetic finishes, to fully meet the technical and logistical specifications of the most demanding customers.
WHY CHOOSE ORTEA INDUSTRIAL VOLTAGE STABILISERS FOR ENERGY AND OIL & GAS
Choosing Ortea means relying on a company with international experience in the design and manufacture of Power Quality solutions, developed to ensure electrical stability, protection of sensitive loads and operational continuity in critical sectors.
ELECTROMECHANICAL RELIABILITY
Electromechanical regulation technology ensures high tolerance to overcurrents and superior energy efficiency compared with many static electronic systems. This feature is particularly useful in harsh industrial environments, such as those found in the petroleum sector.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
With active installations all over the world, Ortea designs solutions compliant with different international electrical standards, including 50Hz and 60Hz configurations and European, American and North American voltages.
CUSTOM-MADE ENGINEERING
From the choice of the K13 transformer to the customisation of the cabinet colour, each machine can be built around the customer’s project. This approach makes it possible to meet the specific requirements of Oil & Gas plants, refineries, extraction sites, petrochemical plants and energy infrastructure.
PROTECTION OF CRITICAL EQUIPMENT
Ortea stabilisers help protect control systems, automation, telemetry, sensors, communication and security equipment from network disturbances, voltage fluctuations and overvoltages.
In summary, the supply for the Mexican petroleum sector confirms Ortea’s ability to support customers operating in strategic industries, where quality, safety, customisation, surge protection and operational continuity are essential factors.
FAQ
WHAT IS AN ELECTROMECHANICAL VOLTAGE STABILISER?
An electromechanical voltage stabiliser is a device that continuously corrects fluctuations in the mains voltage through a mechanical regulation system, generally consisting of a servomotor, autotransformer and control circuit. Its purpose is to ensure a stable and safe output voltage for the connected loads.
WHAT IS A SINGLE-PHASE VOLTAGE STABILISER USED FOR IN THE OIL & GAS SECTOR?
A single-phase voltage stabiliser is used to protect sensitive single-phase loads such as control systems, PLCs, instrumentation, sensors, auxiliary panels, telecommunications and safety devices. In the Oil & Gas sector, it contributes to operational continuity and protects critical equipment from voltage fluctuations, overvoltages and line drops.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE K13 ISOLATION TRANSFORMER IN ANTARES MODELS?
The K13 factor indicates the transformer’s ability to manage and dissipate the heat generated by parasitic currents caused by harmonics, which are typical of heavy industrial environments. The isolation transformer protects sensitive loads by galvanically isolating them from disturbances on the input network.
WHY IS SURGE PROTECTION IMPORTANT IN OIL PLANTS?
Surge protection is important because transient events, network disturbances and voltage peaks can damage electronic equipment, automation systems, sensors, communication devices and safety systems. In oil plants, protecting these systems is essential to reduce the risk of shutdowns and ensure operational safety.
WHY ARE VOLTAGE STABILISERS IMPORTANT IN THE PETROLEUM SECTOR?
In the petroleum sector, control, automation, measurement and supervision systems require a stable power supply. Unstable voltage can cause malfunctions, operational interruptions, premature component wear and loss of continuity in industrial processes.
WHERE ARE SINGLE-PHASE STABILISERS INSTALLED IN AN INDUSTRIAL PLANT?
Single-phase stabilisers can be installed to protect auxiliary panels, control systems, field instrumentation, electronic equipment, communication systems and sensitive loads powered by single-phase supply.
WHAT PROBLEMS DOES AN INDUSTRIAL VOLTAGE STABILISER SOLVE?
An industrial voltage stabiliser protects connected loads from voltage fluctuations, overvoltages, undervoltages and line drops. In critical sectors such as Oil & Gas, heavy industry and energy, it helps reduce the risk of plant shutdowns and improves operational continuity.
