ICO-M: Micro-Interruption Compensator
Supercapacitor-based protection that takes over in under 5 ms when the grid drops out and carries the full load for up to 1 second, so critical processes keep running.
No downtime from micro-interruptions. No batteries.
Why micro-interruptions cost so much
Micro-interruptions usually last 300–500 ms: the time protection relays on the medium- and high-voltage grid need to open and reclose a line. That is short, but long enough to:
Most events start on the high-voltage transmission grid (around 120 kV), not in your own installation. Replacing switchgear on site does not solve them: they have to be compensated.
How ICO-M works
Normal operation
The load is fed straight from the mains through the static switch. ICO-M is practically transparent (over 99% efficiency) and keeps its supercapacitors charged on standby.
Micro-interruption
In under 5 ms an ultra-fast static switch separates the load from the grid, and the IGBT stage feeds it a clean, regulated 400 V three-phase supply from the supercapacitors.
Mains restored
When the voltage is back within tolerance, the switch closes, the load returns to the grid and the supercapacitors recharge for the next event.
How long ICO-M carries the load
| Voltage dip | Power delivered | Compensation time |
|---|---|---|
| 400 V → 0 V | 100% | 1.0 s |
| 400 V → 200 V | 50% | 2.5 s |
| 400 V → 320 V | 20% | 7.0 s |
Indicative values for a unit sized to its load. A unit with headroom above the protected load compensates for longer, and the duration can be customised.
ICO-M or a UPS?
| ICO-M (supercapacitors) | UPS (lithium batteries) | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy storage | Graphene supercapacitors, solid-state, no chemical reaction | Lithium batteries, electrochemical |
| Autonomy | Up to 1 s at full load, built for micro-interruptions | Minutes to hours, built for blackouts |
| Service life | 500,000 cycles, about 20 years | About 5 years before battery replacement |
| Maintenance | Minimal, no battery replacement | Recurring battery replacement |
| Footprint | Compact cabinet, no battery room | Battery room with fire-safety requirements |
| Efficiency | Over 99% in normal operation | Lower, due to continuous double conversion |
| Safety | No thermal runaway risk | Thermal management and fire-safety constraints |
ICO-M does not replace a UPS where minutes of autonomy are needed. On many sites the two work together: ICO-M handles the frequent short events and spares the UPS batteries, the UPS covers long outages.
Tomato processing plant, Italy
One of Italy's largest tomato processors runs 24/7 from July to October. Micro-interruptions were damaging electronics in its sterile area, causing downtime and product loss: more than 10 events in the 2024 season.
Since 6 July 2025 a single ICO-M500 protects the sterile area (about 420 kVA).
Where ICO-M makes the difference
We protect the critical process, not the whole plant. Sizing ICO-M to that scope keeps the investment reasonable.
Food & beverage
Sterile lines and aseptic filling cannot tolerate a restart; a lost batch or shift is very expensive.
Plastics
Inverters and drives often fail on dips, and restarting an extruder means hours of wasted material.
Metals & glass
Furnaces, induction heaters and drives: a short stop means a quality defect or a damaged charge.
Aerospace & precision manufacturing
Process integrity and traceability: even a very short drop can ruin a batch.
Healthcare
Imaging (MRI, CT, angiography), laboratories, sterilisers and pharmacy automation.
Data centres
A complement to the UPS for the very short events it should not spend battery capacity on.
Technical Specifications
Key data
- 400 V, 3P + N, 50 Hz; input range ±15%
- Compensates dips (0–90%) and swells (110–130%)
- Output during compensation: voltage accuracy <1%, THD <3%, suitable for non-linear loads
- 100% permissible load unbalance; input, output and bypass breakers as standard
- 10-inch touch screen and RS485 Modbus RTU; every event is logged
- Operating temperature 0–40 °C; configured and tested at the Icopower factory in Italy
Models
| Model | Rated power | Cabinet (W × D × H) |
|---|---|---|
| ICO-M500 | 500 kVA | 2000 × 800 × 2200 mm |
| ICO-M1000 | 1000 kVA | 3000 × 800 × 2200 mm |
| ICO-M1500 | 1500 kVA | 4000 × 1000 × 2200 mm |
Intermediate ratings are available on request, and several units can run in parallel above 1.5 MVA.
ICO-M: common questions
Does ICO-M replace our UPS?
Not necessarily. ICO-M is the answer to sub-second voltage events that happen a few times a month. For long blackouts, or IT loads that need minutes of autonomy, a UPS is still needed. Many sites run both.
Can one ICO-M protect the whole plant?
Usually not, and it is not the right approach. We identify the critical process with you, such as a sterile area, an extrusion line or an imaging suite, and protect that scope only. That keeps the rating and the price reasonable.
How do we know whether we have micro-interruptions?
Electricity distributors are normally required to provide a list of past events with their duration and residual voltage. If no record is available, a dedicated micro-interruption analyser can be installed.
What does installation involve?
ICO-M is delivered factory-tested and connected between your main LV panel and the loads to protect. Site work covers cabling, integration into the panel and commissioning. The room must stay between 0 and 40 °C; in hot rooms a split air-conditioning unit is usually added.