Siemens has extended its range of RTUs (remote terminal units) to include the Simatic RTU3030C, a compact energy-self-sufficient remote terminal unit. It can be used to monitor measuring points in widely distributed plants without depending on the existence of a local power supply or a hard-wired communication infrastructure. Users benefit from wireless access to key process data such as level, flow rate, fill height, temperature or pressure from distant measuring points. The RTU works fully independently with a power supply provided by batteries or a solar panel, enabling its flexible use in varied fields of application such as the water and wastewater industry, agriculture or asset tracking. The device can be deployed in applications such as leak detection or for monitoring pumping stations or water storage facilities, measuring filling levels in tanks and silos or for irrigation systems used in agriculture. The robust design enables it to be used under the toughest of ambient conditions (-40 to 70°C). An additional enclosure with a protection rating of IP68 allows reliable operation even under flood conditions.
RTUs are often deployed over widely distributed areas, in many cases at measuring points without their own communication or power supply infrastructure. This is where the energy-self-sufficient remote terminal unit RTU3030C comes into its own. It collects measurement data from connected sensors which it transmits to a control centre. The RTU can be operated using up to two high-powered industrial batteries or a rechargeable battery (combinable with a solar panel). Users also have the option of connecting a 12-24 volt DC power source where this is available. The different power supply options can be combined as required.
The RTU3030C can be operated in the sleep, update, communication and service mode. The power requirement in the sleep mode is below 2 mW, allowing reliable operation over a period of several years. The transmission of measured values to the control centre uses the integrated UMTS modem over the wireless network – with a secured OpenVPN connection or encrypted emails. Communication can be time or event controlled and also individually configured for each process value. The RTU3030C reports any values exceeding defined threshold levels immediately using SMS or email – even when in sleep mode – to enable a rapid response by service personnel. Users can switch the RTU3030C over to the service mode for maintenance operations such as exchanging batteries without loss of data.
The unit can be conveniently configured and the firmware updated with the aid of a standard web browser. It can also be linked to the control system Simatic PCS 7 or to Simatic WinCC using the TeleControl Server Basic software package. Direct connection to Simatic PCS 7 TeleControl or Simatic WinCC/TeleControl is also possible using the telecontrol protocols IEC 60870-5-104 and DNP3. In this way, support for wide-ranging telecontrol protocols enables flexible connection to any optional scada systems.
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