Radio telemetry systems are proving more and more difficult due to legislation around ICSA frequencies and due to obstacles in the terrain affecting line-of-sight. As a result, many telemetry systems are relying on standard GSM cellular telecommunication systems to get their data from a remote plant to their main station.
South32 needed to integrate multiple remote pump stations into its newly commissioned water reclamation plant in the Middleburg area. Having successfully designed and commissioned the electrical, control and instrumentation systems for this new water treatment plant, Le Roux, Bouttell & Associates (LBA) was awarded the contract.
Many considerations were made and especially due to the nature of the landscape, a radio system was not easily implemented. LBA eventually decided to use eWON modems together with the eFIVE VPN concentrator, from Shorrock Automation, as the backbone to the system. Each remote site received an eWON GSM modem connected to a local S7 300 Siemens PLC. All remote sites connected to the main plant LAN/Scada network through the eFIVE VPN concentrator. Fixed IP sim cards, from Trinity Connect, provided the necessary secured data connection utilising a private APN. Using Trinity’s Smart platform it is easy to track data usage as well as to see which systems are online at any given point. This allows for seamless control of pump stations from the central control room at the water treatment plant via the secure VPN.
Further remote monitoring functionality was provided via a web platform. Using the built in Siemens S7 driver on the eWON, tags can be easily read from the PLC and displayed on M2Web platform accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection.
The system cuts down the constant need for maintenance personnel to be called out to stop and start pumps locally. The system is perfect for large applications, up to 100 sites, or even one standalone application. It has been designed for retrofit into any existing pump station/remote site with a minimum of installation effort, and can be configured to suit any application.
For more information contact Dave Le Roux, Le Roux, Bouttell & Associates, +27 (0)11 514 0909, dave@lbaa.co.za, www.lbaa.co.za
Advanced noise monitoring solutions
Industrial Wireless
Noise pollution is a significant hazard in the mining industry, posing serious threats to worker health and safety. Probe IMT is implementing advanced noise monitoring solutions from Canadian monitoring specialist, M3SH Technology to foster healthier, safer and more productive work environments in the mining sector.
Read more...Automated equipment monitoring SKF South Africa
Industrial Wireless
When it comes to product design, engineering and development, SKF has always opted for a multi-faceted approach. Ticking all these boxes is the new SKF Axios; a simple, scalable, cost-effective, and cloud-based end-to-end predictive maintenance solution for rotating equipment, from SKF and Amazon Web Services.
Read more...Taming the terrain Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Effectively monitoring and controlling water distribution networks is crucial if we are to avoid wasting this valuable, life-preserving resource. Wireless telemetry systems play a vital role in this task, collecting data from remote locations and transmitting it to a central control station for real-time monitoring and control.
Read more...Wireless, smartphone-operated sound level meters TANDM Technologies
Industrial Wireless
Local test and measurement company, TANDM has introduced the Brüel & Kjaer wireless, smartphone-operated 2245 and 2255 sound level meters to the South African market.
Read more...RF-Link automation module
Industrial Wireless
The DICIO is an RF-Link automation module enabling the remote control of a corresponding module.
Read more...Assessing the order of events Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Being able to monitor plant alarms and events in real time, in chronological order, is critical when a plant experiences an avalanche of alarms caused by an abnormal event. Sequence of events modules can be used to cut unplanned plant downtime and reduce operational costs.
Read more...Protecting Australia’s harbours from a silent threat Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Omniflex has completed the addition of remote monitoring to the existing cathodic protection (CP) systems at five berths in Port Kembla, Australia. This will enhance their surveillance and provide accurate energy monitoring.
Read more...RFID made simple Pepperl+Fuchs
Industrial Wireless
Pepperl+Fuchs now offers a practical solution for users looking for an easy entry into the world of RFID with all its possibilities. The new F191 RFID read/write device combines the advantages of sophisticated industrial UHF technology with a standardised interface for IO-link communication.
Read more...How lighting solutions support lean manufacturing processes Turck Banner Southern Africa
Editor's Choice Industrial Wireless
The philosophy of lean principles is a big trend in the pharmaceutical industry. It emphasises using time and resources as efficiently as possible in order to reduce waste and focus on value-added activities. Here are four examples of how lighting solutions can help increase efficiency by addressing common sources of wasted time and resources in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Read more...Programmable LED indicators Turck Banner Southern Africa
Industrial Wireless Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Turck Banner is expanding its portfolio of LED lights with the robust LED indicators of the K100 series. These units improve workflow and reduce downtime through clearly communicated status information.
printer friendly version