By Ebele Orakpo

Technology, defined as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, no doubt, seeks to make life easier for man. In Nigeria where for decades, the electric power generator has become part of our national life as almost every household generates its own power using the generator, the stress of going to turn off the generator when the public power supply is restored was not fun to so many people.

To reduce this stress, Mr. Olawuyi Akinlolu Emmanuel, the MD/CEO of A’Óne & Co Electrical Works with offices in Abuja and Akure, Ondo State, came up with a solution. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, the Electrical Electronics technician talks about his innovation, the Automatic Change over device.  Excerpts:

Background

Automatice change-over device. Right is Mr. Akinlolu Olawuyi Emmanuel, the innovator

“I studied at Don Bosco Technical Institute Akure and finished in 2009. I went on to The Polytechnic Owo where I graduated with Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Electrical Electronics.

After my industrial training, I sat down to think of the next step to take using the knowledge I had acquired from the technical school and the polytechnic. I came up with this device, Automatic change-over device,”said Emmanuel.

The device

“Before now, most people used the manual change-over from generator to the public power supply but I thought there must be a better way. I felt that instead of going outside or downstairs to change over manually, we can have a device that will do it automatically and even turn off your power generator once the public power supply is restored. So, what this device does is to change from generator to public power supply and turn off the generator automatically when power is restored.”

Capacity

“The device comes in different capacities — over 100 amps, 100 amps, and some below 100 amps capacity. The 100 amps device can conveniently be used  in a two-bedroom flat with air conditioners. In industries, higher capacities are needed. There is also the 80 amps capacity automatic change-over for homes.”

Durability

Said Emmanuel: “The change-over device is durable. There are imported change-over devices but they do not last. This locally made device is durable. I have made it for so many people and one of them who was using an imported one told me it lasted for only six months but the locally made ones last very long.”

How it works

“If we want to install this automatic change-over device in a home, we remove the manual change-over and connect all the wires connected to the manual change-over to the terminal connector of the automatic change-over device. Then there will be a wire from the device down to the generator so when there is light, the automatic change-over device senses it with the help of a relay inside and when the relay senses that there is light, it will automatically trip off the generator and light comes on. There is no going to change over manually or to turn off the generator,” he said.

Components

“We have the leaves, contactors, transformers, indicator light, push buttons and wires all purchased from the local market.”