Networking an automated utility system
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, [email protected], www.promicro.co.za
Further reading:
Comprehensive solutions for the food and beverage sector
RS South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
RS South Africa is reinforcing its commitment to the country’s dynamic food and beverage sector, backed by a comprehensive portfolio of over 800 000 products, extensive technical expertise and end-to-end service capabilities.
Read more...
Case History 198: Cascade control overcomes valve problems
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A large petrochemical refinery asked me to perform an audit on several critical base layer control loops. This article deals with a problem found on a valve controlling the flow of fuel to a heat exchanger.
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...
PC-based control for fertiliser
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
On a farm in the USA, valuable ammonia is extracted from slurry and processed into ammonium sulphate. NSI Byosis has transformed this complex process into a flexible modular system. This modular approach requires an automation solution with flexible scalability in both hardware and software, which this Dutch company has found in PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...
Loop signature 28: Things to consider when tuning.
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
I was giving a course at a remote mine in the middle of the Namibian desert. We were discussing tuning responses, and as I always do on my courses, I mentioned that in my opinion ¼ amplitude damped tuning is not desirable, and is in fact not good.
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...
Minelert industrial solutions
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Profitek provides cutting-edge industrial networking, automation and IoT solutions for harsh environments.
Read more...
The ultimate industrial LoRaWAN gateway
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The GW-101-LORA-4AO is the ultimate industrial LoRaWAN gateway, combining advanced IoT connectivity with expandable I/O.
Read more...
Industrial Power-over-Ethernet DC injector
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The ML-NET-INJECT series sets the standard for industrial PoE, featuring IP68-rated RJ45 connectors and military-grade components for extreme reliability.
Read more...
Industrial networking IO-Link
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Balluff IO-Link Network Modules enable seamless, intelligent communication between sensors, actuators and control systems. Designed for Industry 4.0, they provide real-time data exchange, simplify wiring, and enhance diagnostics.
Read more...
printer friendly version