The requirement

The solution needed to monitor single and three-phase RMS power measurements at a number of remote sites.

The Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) capturing and logging the RMS values also had to measure and control additional analog and digital IO real-time. When an alarm condition was met, the RTU would connect to the central SCADA application, and send an SMS to a local engineer to attend site.

The solution

The Amplicon engineering team specified an RTU system based on the ICP DAS WinPac system which is a compact DIN rail system that combines the functionality of an industrial PC and PLC in one box.

The WinPac also has direct sensor connection, Ethernet & cellular connectivity, local VGA display and wide operating temperature specifications (-25 to 75'C). Within the WinPAC, we were able to choose from over 50 I/O modules to match the signals the customer needed to measure and control. One of the modules to be used in the WinPac's backplane is the I-8212 which gave the cellular connectivity required for the project.

Using the ICP DAS single and three-phase power meters (PM-213X Series), the RMS values would be read by the WinPac to become part of the control and monitoring system via the Modbus RS485 serial port. Amplicon provided the hardware and the RTU software installation and testing services thereby consolidating the purchasing procedure and delivering a low cost of ownership solution.

As well as providing a complete RTU solution, a suitable wall-mount enclosure to house the ICP DAS hardware was required. Working with the client, the complete manufacture of the RTU boxes that would protect the units from harsh conditions was supplied by the experienced Amplicon Engineering services team.

Results

The end result was a complete power monitoring solution that could be delivered straight to site for installation. This was achieved by the Amplicon Engineering Services team working closely with the client engineers at every stage of the project; from design to delivery giving the confidence to our customer that a quality system was being delivered.

Why Amplicon?

Working with Amplicon gives the benefit of over 50 years experience providing engineering solutions, a value added but consolidated supply chain delivering real and measurable cost of ownership savings.