Networking an automated utility system

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June 2004 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

A company in Taiwan has introduced a new system to automate major utilities required in the running of its business. The utility system is divided into seven subsystems including power management, security detection, lighting control, airconditioning, parking management, water/wastewater management and elevator monitoring. Each subsystem is developed and built independently, but integrated into the totally automated program. In order to make integration simpler, the Adam-4000 and Adam-5000 distributed data acquisition and control modules and the VisiDAQ 3.1 man machine interface software are used to construct this system.

The new system demonstrates the use of distributed data acquisition and control technology and multilayer architecture in setting up multiple monitoring and control centres. A number of sensors are located throughout the building to measure the parameters of interest. These are connected via RS485 networks to Adam-4000 modules. The Adam systems are connected via RS485 networks to the monitoring and control centres. Each centre is integrated into a local area network (LAN) to share information and to use the Adam systems to monitor their operational status and to collect their data outputs, which were collected from the sensors. The outputs are displayed using the VisiDAQ 3.1 man-machine interface.

The airconditioning subsystem monitors and controls the temperature at the head office. The building is divided into key areas, with each area controlled by a host PC running Windows-based VisiDAQ 3.1 software. Every point of measurement has a thermocouple connected to an Adam-4011 analog input module, as well as an Adam-4060 relay output module.

All modules connect to the host computer through an RS485 twisted pair interface. The Adam-4011 reads the thermocouple voltage and converts it into temperature, which is then sent to the host. VisiDAQ 3.1 displays the temperature and constantly checks it. When the temperature rises above a preset maximum limit, VisiDAQ 3.1 orders the Adam-4060 relay output module to turn on the airconditioning in that specific area. When the temperature returns to the set point, VisiDAQ 3.1 orders the relay module to turn the airconditioning off.

Using Adam-4000 and Adam-5000 distributed data acquisition and control modules and VisiDAQ 3.1 software; a PC can be used as the heart of the office automation system. Since the system is based on PC architecture, information is easily integrated into other information systems.

For more information contact Elton Prytz, ProMicro, 011 706 7913, info@promicro.co.za, www.promicro.co.za

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