Remote - Spring 2015 - (Page 20)

SCADA - Products & Services Progea Leads Businesses Towards Energy Efficiency with Pro.Energy Progea has created Pro. Energy the software platform that allows users to acquire, view and manage energy information, improving their environmental sustainability as well as their competitiveness. Progea's energy management tool allows constant monitoring of electricity, gas, water, compressed air or steam costs as well as accurate, instant energy assessment functions, providing Energy Managers with useful decision making support. Pro.Energy is a Movicon functional module that can be linked to various types of meters for the various energy sources, gathering energy consumption data in real time and saving it in a SQL Server relational database. Data is then processed using integrated, full-featured and ready-to-use analysis tools, yielding charts, tables and reports. Based on such analysis, the Pro. Energy software can detect EnPIs (Energy Performance Indicators), i.e. key indicators that show a clear, comprehensive picture of the company's energy requirements and energy distribution patterns, thus helping the company fight energy waste and optimize resources. Pro.Energy provides safe and efficient connectivity tools that can accurately gather information in real time, wherever it is. A configuration wizard assists the user in safely associating data and creating databases in auto mode. Moreover, each step of the solution is customizable. Special ODBC connectors allow bi-directional linking to management systems, which in turn makes it possible to create MES solutions, cross-linking consumption and production data. IDEC Releases HMI+PLC with Analog Capability IDEC has released a new model in its FT1A Touch micro programmable controller series of combo HMI+PLC units, the FT1A Touch 14 I/O. New features make the FT1A Touch 14 I/O suitable for advanced analog monitoring and control, allowing users to economically perform both operator interface and control for a much wider range of applications. Many small scale applications such as simple machines could benefit by using a programmable graphical interface along with a discrete and analog controller and I/O, but don't have the panel space or the budget for separate components. The FT1A Touch 14 I/O addresses this need by combining operator interface and control in a single compact package, all programmable with IDEC's PC-based software. The FT1A Touch 14 I/O provides up to 158 discrete and analog inputs and outputs (using FT1A controllers as Remote I/O slaves), PID control, Ethernet communications and a built-in 3.8-inch touchscreen HMI in a compact package costing less than $500. These features make it a good fit for applications requiring a graphical user interface along with discrete and analog control at an affordable price. Responding to market demand, the following features were added to the updated FT1A Touch 14 I/O from the existing FT1A Touch: two-point builtin analog inputs now accept 4-20 mA in addition to 0-10 VDC, two built-in analog outputs were added, each configurable as 0-10VDC or 4-20 mA and the unit can expand up to two additional analog two-point I/O modules. Additionall, the unit includes optional RTD/Thermocouple analog input modules, PID control, and the unit can be configured as Remote I/O Master, allowing additional FT1As to be used as Remote I/O Slaves for additional discrete I/O. The device has 14 I/O consisting of eight discrete inputs of which two can be configured as analog, four discrete outputs and two analog outputs. 20 www.RemoteMagazine.com The discrete inputs can handle switching frequencies up to 10 KHz. The analog inputs and outputs can be configured as either 0-10 Vdc or 4-20 mA. Two analog expansion adapters can be added, each with either two inputs or two outputs. Remote I/O capability allows up to three FT1A controllers to be configured as remote I/O slaves with 24, 40 or 48 I/O, for a maximum of 158 I/O on a single control system. PID control functions include auto-tuning, anti-reset windup and bumpless transfer. Programming of the control functions is accomplished via IDEC's WindLDR, and the HMI is programmed using IDEC's WindO/ I-NV3 software. The WindLDR software allows users to simulate ladder and function block programs to test software without requiring connection of hardware. Communications includes RS232C and RS485 ports for serial networking; an RJ45 Ethernet port for remote Ethernet and Modbus TCP communications; and a USB port for entering recipe data, performing program updates and data logging. Critical data can be logged to a USB memory stick and then retrieved by removing the USB stick, or by accessing the data stored on the USB stick via Ethernet. Project files can be transferred between a USB memory stick and the FT1A Touch14 I/O. The USB port is a quick and convenient way for an OEM to program multiple units, and for users to quickly update ladder and HMI programs. The built-in Ethernet ports allow the FT1A Touch 14 I/O to be configured as a Client (Master) or Server (Slave) on the Modbus network. Modbus RTU (Master or Slave) is also supported. With these capabilities, the FT1A can communicate with other PLCs or devices using the Modbus protocol. It also contains native drivers for communication with PLCs from a wide range of manufacturers using various protocols. With 47.4 KB of logic control programming memory, complex PLC programs can be constructed without undue restriction. And with 5MB of configuration memory for the display, a full-featured display interface can be easily configured. SignalFire Open Architecture Remote Sensing System Interfaces with Virtually Any Sensor Mix Tank level monitoring is a common wireless application used in upstream pumping, oil and gas, wastewater, agriculture and other industrial applications to eliminate run-outs and overflows while optimizing and ensuring the integrity of operations. While most tank level monitoring systems limit sensor choice, the SignalFire Remote Sensing System (SFRSS) integrates an open architecture mesh network that allows users to choose the preferred sensor type for an application as well as mix sensor types in the same network. Depending on the conditions of the operating environment and tank content (water, chemicals, oil, etc.), the right sensing technology might be float, pressure sensor, ultrasonic sensor, piezo resistive sensor or air/guided wave radar. Instead of just bundling one or two technologies as most tank level monitoring systems, the SFRSS communicates and powers virtually any sensor with 4-20 mA, 1-5 V, Modbus, Hart, digital IO and other analog and digital interfaces. In a typical tank level monitoring application, SignalFire wireless nodes interface with a standard sensor, providing power for the sensor as well as connectivity to a Gateway located at a central location where data is concentrated. The SignalFire Remote Sensing System provides reliable transport of the data to the gateway via its wireless mesh system. Because the SFRSS mesh network operates at lower frequencies, it can communicate at ranges of up to 3 miles between nodes and is significantly less sensitive to foliage, obstructions, and moisture when compared to traditional wireless networks. As sensor technologies have varying power requirements, the SFRSS can power both sensors and the radio system from either internal batteries or a specially-designed solar system to remain truly wireless. While battery life depends heavily on the sensor, it can last from one to 10 years. SignalFire offers its Remote Sensing System (including a solar power option) with Class 1 Division 1 certification for intrinsically safe operation as many tank level applications require products to be certified for hazardous use. http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Spring 2015

Editor's Choice
The Impact of OPC UA and Information Modeling on Monitoring Solutions
Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Understanding the Threat to SCADA Networks
Small Power, Big Benefits – Fuel Cells for Remote and Off-Grid Applications
What to Expect in the Equipment Industry in 2015
Wireless Well Pad Retrofit
IT-OT Convergence: The Importance of Aligning Historically Disparate Technologies
Internet of Things North Americs Preview
SCADA
Networking
Security
Onsite Power
Industry News

Remote - Spring 2015