Common Problems that MultiSmart helps you Solve"I left the pump running"
Typical panels have a selector switch for auto / off / manual (hand). When an operator visits the site he often opens the well to check the level, and turns the pump on to make sure it pumps down. A frequent problem - someone leaves the pump in manual, and causes a pump to airlock or overheat. Or best case, someone has to go back to site and put the pump back into Auto
With MultiSmart in a panel, you use the softkey on the unit to put the pump into manual. When the level drops to the cutout point MultiSmart changes the mode back to Auto and turns the pump Off. We call the manual mode semi-automatic manual.
"We went out to site 2300 times for no reason"
One large water utility had 3600 callouts in one year, and of these 2300 resulted in no work done. Either the problem was non-existent, or they pressed the Reset button and left. The cost was between $500,000 to $1M.
With MultiSmart connected to your SCADA system, you can see the specific fault condition, the 3-phase supply, the calculated (or measured) flow - and you can reset the fault remotely (if appropriate). Once the fault is reset you can test the pump and check that it pumps correctly and that the 3-phase currents are balanced.
Save your staff costs for useful activities.
"I think my 3-phase supply is a problem"
Many pump stations have 3-phase supply problems, leading to frequent pump trips and, in the longer term, pump lifetime issues. But without any station supply monitoring, the problem can't be proved, and so is never resolved.
With MultiSmart, the 3-phase supply is datalogged and reported back to SCADA. You can find out whether voltage supply is the real problem - and if it is you can prove it to the energy authority.
"Will my pumps last 25 years?"
If the 3-phase supply is a little low, say 8%, you can be running with the currents up more than 8%, and the temperature of the windings might be 20'C too high. That can reduce the life of your pumps significantly, as the insulation resistance is strongly impacted by temperature.
MultiSmart can be set to trip when the volts go outside a normal thrsehold - which might be 10% - but you can also datalog the voltage on a deadband, say 5%, or even lower, and find out how much time the supply is below (or above) normal.
"Are my pumps running efficiently? Am I wasting energy?"
Pump efficiency in wastewater applications is often reduced significantly from when the pumps were originally installed. Studies have shown typical loss in efficiency of 15% and often much more. But most utilities aren't able to measure their pump efficiency. So they can waste a lot of energy - and increase CO2 emissions.
MultiSmart measures pump efficiency in gals/kWHr (or litres/KWHr) and lets you trend over time, as well as compare with your original design.
"I need to change the setpoints"
With a typical PLC/RTU system you need someone to make a program change.
With MultiSmart changing setpoints is one of the easiest things to do through the user interface. The unit also supports setpoint profiles so that they can be easily switched in different circumstances - during a spill at another station for example.
Setpoints can also be easily changed from SCADA.
"I need a system that is flexible for any application"
Especially if you have been landed with an old or closed system, you want a product and system that can meet any requirement.
MultiSmart has 100s of in-built functions for just about any pumping application or lift station optimization - but unlike any other product with in-built functionality, it also has a PLC extension, fully compliant to IEC61131-3.
What does this mean? That MultISmart includes the best of both worlds - the flexibility of a PLC if you need it, but without the headache of having to develop everything from scratch.
"I need to know the inflow into my station"
Understanding the diurnal flow patterns for your system is a common problem, and installation of flow meters is very expensive.
MultiSmart calculates inflow by using the volumes in each pump station. The "inflow tag" is available for SCADA, and by default gets logged by the datalogger after each fill cycle.
What are the flow rates of my pumps?
Most wastewater lift stations don't have flow meters installed. MultiSmart uses volumetric changes and some smart algorithms to calculate individual pump flow rates. So you get total volumes pumped from each station, as well as individual pump volumes and flow rates.
"How can I detect partially blocked pumps?"
MultiSmart has some algorithms to help you.
Max Run Time allows you to cycle to the next pump when a runtime value is exceeded. And if you want, it will create an alarm on the user interface (and to SCADA) so operations finds out. Setting Max Run Time takes less than a minute through the easy-to-use LCD user interface.
Blocked Pump Detection detects if the lead pump stays on while the lag pump keeps being used. After the number of cycles that you select (e.g. 3), it will flag a Blocked Pump alarm to allow someone to investigate.
"What's the condition of my motor windings?"
Finding out the state of your motor windings can be expensive - sending an electrician out to site to "megger" the motors.
MultiSmart will test the motor windings automatically, every day or every week, log the value and send it to SCADA, as well as creating an alarm when the value drops below a threshold that you set (e.g. 1MOhm).
"I need secure communications between SCADA and the lift stations"
MultiSmart was one of the first devices on the market to adopt the new DNP3 security standard, introducing it in 2008. DNP3 is an open protocol designed for telemetry and supported by a strong user group.
You can now communicate securely between SCADA and your lift stations.
Please contact us with any questions you may have
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