The Major Benefits of Electrical Automation

Nearly one-third of all major businesses have automated at least one function in 2021. As more and more companies are looking to optimize their operations, automation becomes that much more crucial. But what does electrical automation mean for businesses that use it? What are its benefits and how does electrical automation really work? That’s what we’re here to look at today. Read on to find out more about electrical automation and its benefits. 

How Electrical Automation Works

Electrical automation works through a wireless connection that lets users control electrical systems from practically any location. Companies get full individualized control over specific aspects of their operations. This includes lighting, controlling temperatures, handling shades, and even specific appliances. Automation is a unique solution for companies that struggle with the cost of energy and maintenance. Many people tout electrical automation’s ability to save them energy and costs, but there are plenty of other benefits out there.

Line Loss Reduction

A substation is crucial for any electrical distribution system, as are all the electrical equipment and other components associated with the system. To remain a reliable system, those parts need to work in tandem. As such, a volt regulation controller, or VAR control, is crucial to control all the voltage devices. VAR controls can be automatically monitored, which means fewer line loss reductions and increased efficiency. 

Quality Of Power

Electrical automation helps you improve customer satisfaction by increasing the overall quality of power. This is done by using mitigation equipment along with distribution feeders. In other words, you can monitor and detect any power quality problems as they arise. Doing so means faster overall reactions and improved overall service. 

Energy Use Optimization

Benefits such as real-time monitoring no doubt help your electrical systems be much more efficient. It also means you can perform power consumption calculations that reduce overall demand charges.  Electrical automation systems allow you to give first-hand information to users through algorithms that optimize power utility. This means customers get up-to-date information at all times.

Economic Efficiency

Gone are the days of inefficient planning and inaccurate engineering decisions. With electrical automation services, you work more closely with your distribution networks, allowing for greater collaboration. Compared to conventional systems, getting accurate and timely data on your distribution networks is much faster. As such, things like preventative maintenance and proper engineering can be employed. 

Reliability

Greater accuracy and more abundant data mean faster service, which leads to greater customer satisfaction. It’s no secret that companies that use electrical automation are known to have better power quality than others. This leads to greater reliability for your customers and your staff. Leveraging electrical automation services means your company gets to work with timely and accurate info while your customers get the best power available. 

Electrical Automation That’s Right For You

Those looking to make their electrical distribution systems more efficient and contemporary should look into electrical automation. Use this guide to help you understand its benefits and why they’re crucial for companies in 2022.

Looking for reliable industrial electrical automation services? Contact us today and we’ll get you started on a solution right away!

As winter approaches, cattle ranchers face the critical challenge of ensuring their herds maintain optimal health and growth despite the harsh conditions. One often overlooked factor is the temperature of drinking water, which plays a significant role in the overall well-being and productivity of range cattle during cold months. In this article, we will explore how water temperature impacts water consumption and growth performance and how Current Group’s Open2O cattle trough heater can make a difference by preventing freezing and ensuring water availability.

The Impact of Access to Water on Cattle Health

Research consistently shows that water availability is critical to cattle’s water intake, especially during winter. Frozen water can drastically reduce consumption, as cattle cannot access the necessary water. This leads to dehydration and increased energy expenditure, as cattle use more energy to maintain their body temperature in the cold. 

This increase in water intake is crucial because it correlates with higher dry matter intake (DMI), which is essential for maintaining body weight and overall health during the cold season.

According to Jon DeClerck, Ph.D., cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition, “Water is the most essential nutrient for cattle production,” says “It’s used for regulating body temperature, growth, reproduction, lactation, digestion and many other bodily functions. Water also drives intake for mineral, forage and supplements. And while we typically worry more about water intake in summer, it’s equally as important in cold weather.”

“For fall calving herds, water requirements go up drastically during lactation. Cows hit peak lactation right when water is at risk of freezing up. With spring calving herds, water access is key to avoid stress and long-term performance impacts to both the cow and unborn calf.”

Consequences of Inadequate Water Intake in Winter

When cattle do not have consistent access to water due to freezing conditions, the consequences can be severe. Insufficient water intake leads to dehydration, reduced feed intake (which affects nutrition), and poor growth performance. Instead, energy that should be used for growth is used to maintain body temperature, leading to weight loss and a decline in body condition. Additionally, water shortages can disrupt rumen fermentation, nutrient absorption, and overall cattle health, further compromising productivity.

Ideal Water Temperature and its Effect on Your Herd

Ensuring that water is available to cattle throughout winter is crucial to their hydration and growth. However, a balance needs to be met in terms of your water temperature.

Kate Hornyak, OSU Extension Program Coordinator, Delaware County, says, Keeping the ideal temperature of drinking water for cattle is a balance – it should neither be hot nor frozen.” – “It’s interesting to note that steers with access to cool drinking water have shown to gain an additional 0.3 to 0.4 pounds per day compared to those consuming warmer water. This underscores the importance of regularly checking the temperature of water, especially in waterers equipped with heaters, to avoid what’s known as a “runaway” – a situation where the water gets too warm.”

Cattle Trough Heater Open2O: Preventing Frozen Water

To address the challenges of water freezing during the cold season, Current Group offers the Open2O advanced electric device, an innovative solution designed to monitor water temperature and regulate the power to the heating element. Unlike traditional heating systems that continuously warm water, Open2O ensures that water remains just above freezing, reducing energy consumption and ensuring that cattle always have access to water.

Features of Open2O Water Controller

  • Power Savings: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has multiple temperature inputs, which allows it to monitor water temperature every 30 seconds and turn on the heating elements only as needed. This optimized control has been proven to cut substantial power usage, with an estimated minimum of 53% power savings.
  • Real-Time Water Consumption Report: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O system provides real-time reports on water consumption, which allows cattle operators to monitor water intake per animal. This data helps identify potential issues early on, as it compares water usage across different troughs, signalling if a problem arises with any specific bowl. Accurate water consumption data supports better animal health analysis, ensuring every animal is adequately hydrated.
  • Alarm Options for Consumption and Temperature: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has alarm options that alert operators to unusual consumption patterns—whether too high or too low—indicating potential issues like a broken water line. The system also notifies operators if the water temperature drops too close to freezing.
  • Labour and Stress Reduction: With Open2O’s remote monitoring capabilities, feedlot operators no longer need to send staff out in cold temperatures to check water bowls. Instead, they can view the software and confirm that all water sources remain open, reducing labour costs and management stress year-round.

 

With these features, Open2O provides a comprehensive solution to prevent water bowls from freezing, monitor water consumption, and support cattle health through the cold months.

Critical Benefits of Cattle Trough Heater Open2O

  • Prevents Water from Freezing: Open2O ensures that water remains accessible, avoiding water freezing in bowls.
  • Energy Efficiency: By regulating the power to the heating element, Open2O conserves energy, reducing costs while maintaining water availability.
  • Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand harsh winter conditions, Open2O ensures uninterrupted access to water throughout the cold months.
  • Improved Growth Performance: By preventing frozen water, Open2O supports cattle hydration, feed utilization, and overall growth performance.


Providing unfrozen drinking water during winter is more than just a comfort for cattle—it’s essential to maintaining their health and growth. With the Open2O device from Current Group, ranchers can ensure that their cattle have continuous access to water, even in the coldest months. Invest in cattle trough heater Open2O today to secure your herd’s health and boost your bottom line this winter.