January 2019Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Alarm overload is an issue most control rooms must deal with on an ongoing basis and relieving the situation is a priority for most process engineering professionals. Much of the burden has been caused by DCS and scada systems delivering too much information to operators who are then under pressure to make decisions and take corrective action.
While it is not disputed that all this information is important to a smooth-running process, it is important to differentiate between the types of information collected by the supervisory systems and to classify alarms requiring action from status information. The role of the alarm system is to prompt operator intervention to act and return the process to optimum levels or to safe conditions.
Critical alarms are often managed with the use of annunciators as a separate layer of plant protection over and above the supervisory system. However, even this methodology does not always reduce the load on operators who are trying to service alarms coming into the control room. Standards like ISA 18.1 and EEMUA 191 Alarm Systems are extremely valuable in rationalising the alarm management process, but they are generic and every plant or process has its own unique issues when it comes to abnormal conditions. Many schools of thought have sought to relieve the pressure on operators in those cases and they often boil down to differentiating the types of alarm using audio visual stimuli.
An option to rationalise the alarm system into voice alarms broadcast over the PA system, allows busy operators to hear and evaluate the urgency without leaving what they are currently doing. Alarms are voice recorded into WAV files and embedded on the HMI ready to be triggered by the Alarm Marshalling unit which is monitoring the existing alarm systems, which could be a PLC or scada, as well as existing Omni16 Annunciator systems. An alarm banner on the HMI provides further information on the alarm. Unresolved alarms will also flash after a period of time to remind operators of their status and importance. The system provides real benefits to operator efficiency including:
• Customisation of existing alarm systems.
• Reduced operator stress from multiple alarm sources.
• Operators can discriminate the status of alarms timeously.
• Critical alarms to have an additional level of differentiation.
Novel closed-loop CP technology wins innovation award Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Researchers at Deakin University have won the Corrosion Innovation of the Year Award at this year’s AMPP Annual Conference and Expo in Nashville, USA. The award recognised the development of a novel closed-loop cathodic protection system for localised corrosion control in challenging industrial environments, which Omniflex helped with as a technology partner.
Read more...Improved networking technology for fire and gas detection Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Critical alarm and event management technology supplier, Omniflex has worked with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation to upgrade equipment providing digital and analogue signals for its safety critical fire and gas alarm systems.
Read more...Multi-touch panel generation in a smart design Beckhoff Automation
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Following over 25 years of successful in-house panel production and 12 years of expertise in multi-touch design, Beckhoff is bringing out a new smart panel design, the Next multi-touch panel generation.
Read more...Novel closed-loop CP technology for corrosion control Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Cathodic protection specialist, Omniflex has collaborated with researchers at Deakin University to develop corrosion monitoring electronics for a novel closed-loop cathodic protection system for localised corrosion control in challenging industrial environments.
Read more...How industrial network design impacts ESG commitments Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In safety-critical industries like nuclear, petrochemical and oil and gas, installing a new industrial cable network is an extremely complicated task. Gary Bradshaw, a director of industrial network specialist, Omniflex explains why this is often unnecessary as plants are likely to have existing cabling capable of being used to create new industrial networks.
Read more...How CP system design can support ESG commitments Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines and tanks are under constant threat of corrosion, which can render them unsafe. David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist, Omniflex explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments while simultaneously lowering costs and improving maintenance capabilities.
Read more...Simple, powerful illumination
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
In applications needing quick, clear communication, the GS60 Pro Multicolour Guide Spotlight delivers powerful, easily configurable illumination and indication to reduce errors and improve productivity.
Read more...Status display for conveying sensor, machine and device data Turck Banner Southern Africa
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Enhance application accuracy and efficiency with the SD50 Status Display, which conveys sensor, machine and device data via text and multicolour LEDs.
Read more...High performance, low complexity managed switches Industrial Automation & Control (IAC)
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
LEMUR Lite managed switches from Hirschmann deliver full Gigabit Ethernet and PoE/PoE+ support up to 180 W in a cost-optimised, compact design.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version