Micromation has the exclusive representation for the tried and trusted range of Auxiliary Power Management (APM) systems, by Carnation Designs, which had a significant impact on the readiness of British ambulance fleets.

Statistics from the British market indicate that about 60% of the ambulances that are “out-of-commission” suffer from electrical faults.  The APM unit more than halves the number of out-of-commission ambulances, resulting in a much higher availability, which in turn translates to substantial fleet savings, as well as a faster customer service.

Each APM unit consists of a microprocessor based intelligent power management switch cabinet, with two operator input panels.

The APM unit has the following benefits :-

• The APM unit automatically and sequentially applies power to all auxiliary instrumentation, lights and siren as and when required – no need for individual switching, and no sudden high battery discharges, with consequent volt drops.
• The APM unit controls the power consumed in the ambulance to ensure that the auxiliary batteries remain charged.
• The vehicle’s auxiliary batteries are always monitored, and kept charged at all times.  Excessive loads are automatically dumped, and/or the vehicle’s engine kept at a suitable charging r.p.m. when the vehicle is at a standstill awaiting, stabilising or delivering patients.
• On power up, the APM unit automatically goes through a self-test to make sure that all the power for the equipment is ready and available.
• The APM unit has built in intelligent interlocks to avoid, for example, driving away from the incident with the rear doors open.
• The APM unit can give the entire ambulance wiring a first line maintenance check in about 90 seconds, saving hours of testing under normal circumstances.
• All auxiliary wiring terminates on the APM unit, simplifying the electrical wiring installation, and making electrical faults in the ambulance quick and easy to find.
• Any driver, including volunteers, can climb into the driver’s seat and make immediate use any make and model of ambulance fitted with the APM unit, as all the electrical controls on all the different vehicles are identical.
• The APM unit has anti-hijacking capability, which cuts the vehicle engine at a programmable time period after certain preconditions have been met.
• A serial port is available to be used with a GPS or GPRS module, which not only allows the vehicles position to be transmitted back to the control centre, but also the vehicles status. This then gives the vehicle full “Command and Control” capabilities.
• As the drivers are required to accurately key in the vehicles status at all times, which also determines the vehicles lights, etc., inaccurate status reports via GPS/GPRS are eliminated.
• The APM unit comes in various different sizes to cater for many different vehicles and instrumentation.
• The APM unit has full EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) certification, which prevents the APM unit interfering with other instrumentation in the vehicle, or alternatively malfunctioning due to interference from other instrumentation, (such as the vehicle’s radios).  Even the data cables to the operator input panels are CAT5.
• A data logging printer port is available to monitor the vehicle, and its driver.

Although ambulances tend to have the most need of the APM unit, other emergency vehicles, such as Incident Command Vehicles (ICVs), Police Vehicles etc., have also benefited.
 

Technical Support

Micromation, having serviced this market for the last 26 years, has in depth maintenance capability, therefore is easily capable of supporting Carnation’s Phoenix product line to any extent deemed necessary.

Micromation is currently South Africa’s major supplier of Emergency Communication Control Systems, which employ Communication Control system technology integrated with many other subsystems into very comprehensive Emergency Communication Control Systems.  Currently Micromation’s subsystems also include Multi-channel Voice Recording, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Disaster Management Database systems, GPS/GPRS, etc. Micromation’s systems involve the design and integration of top technology analogue and digital systems, as well as on-going 24/7 support throughout Southern Africa.

Contact:

Miss Vanette Marais,
Email : vanette.marais@micromation.co.za
Micromation
P. O. Box 709,
Bedfordview,
2008,
South Africa.
 

Office Phone: +2711 822 1065
Office email : action@micromation.co.za
Fax + 2711 822 1067
 

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