Application Example - Chevron POS
TEAL Electronics and Chevron Point of Sale
The way we purchase gasoline has changed immensely over the last 10 years. With the introduction of pay at the pump systems came a whole new way of acquiring true "self service" for pumping gas. Chevron began installing these systems in 1993, and found them to be valuable in generating more gasoline sales.
Chevron employs some sophisticated equipment to operate these systems. Computer base stations communicate directly with tank level sensors, which direct the credit card information that is swiped and read at the pumps. This information is then sent via satellite directly to Chevron's main headquarters in San Francisco. This equipment is inherently power sensitive, and needs to be protected.
Chevron formerly used old ferroresonant power conditioners to protect the POS equipment. These power conditioners needed to be located near the POS terminals but there were problems with this solution such as:
- Audible Noise
- Large Size
- Heat Dissipation
- Unsightly Appearance
Chevron typically builds their new gas stations from the ground up less than 2 months. Because of this tight time frame, Chevron decided against using local contractors to fill the need and went with standardized blueprints with very tight specifications on equipment, wiring and grounding.
TEAL analyzed the situation and decided that the only way to achieve good reliability of electronic POS would be through centralized power protection, grounding and distribution. TEAL was able to design and build a small, custom wall mounted, hard wired power solution designed around these specifications. This solution eliminated point-of-use conditioning.
The TEAL solution provides many advantages such as:
- Reliable operation of POS which increases station profitability and customer satisfaction
- Protection of the POS from noise and voltage impulses
- Single point ground
- Reduction in Power Disturbances which can randomly disrupt operation, degrade electronics and destroy components
These power disturbances can come from external factors such as lightning or utility switching, or from internal factors such as switching of large loads from inside the station.
What Does A TEAL Consist Of?
The TEAL unit consists of a low impedance shielded isolation transformer that provides isolation, static voltage adjustment and grounding. The unit also consists of an L-C (inductance/capacitance) filtering system that eliminates noise and fast transients. Finally, the unit includes surge suppressors, which are designed to knock down the slower impulses that can occur.
Rugged, Reliable and Inexpensive
Each one of these Chevron stations may cost more than $1.4 million to build. The power quality solution that TEAL builds costs less than $1,000 for a one time investment. Since the partnership started in 1987, the installed base for these units has reached nearly 10,000 units with nearly 400 Million operating hours.
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