Definition of the problem
• The larger pumping stations in a municipal wastewater network, like terminal-, storm water- and treatment plant inlet stations have a great variation in terms of number of pumps, valves and other equipment. Also how the equipment should be controlled varies from station to station.
• This will put a demand on the controller used to be flexible and scalable both regarding the number of inputs and outputs as well as the controlling program.
• To solve these engineered applications, programmable devices, such as PLC’s is often used. However, since these devices require all program code to be written by the user, extensive testing is needed to test the functionality and to find bugs. The consequence will be a large investment in programming time; a low reliability of the program since it’s a one-off and also possible lack of documentation which will complicate future changes and corrections.
Pumping Stations
• The ABS high-end pump controller PCx is a standard pump controller which has a modular build-up and can therefore match the application need exact. It may be used only with the base-unit stand-alone, as well as with operator panel and extra I/O modules added.
• In the PCx no program has to be written, instead it’s configured by activation of the desired functions such as pump control, valve control, etc. By this, all software is tested and ready to be used.
• Since no code has to be written and tested, less time will be needed in the set-up & commissioning of the station; and the risk for malfunction due to bugs is reduced.
• Functionality can easily be added or changed in later stages.