Electrical Generator Automation
This project was a medium voltage switchgear project for a city in Florida. Control Infotech worked with Siemens PT&D of Wendell, NC. Control Infotech's scope included software development, factory acceptance test and site commissioning for medium voltage switchgear.
The switchgear panel has mulitple incoming power sources consisting of main breakers and generator breakers. The switchgear also includes tie breakers and multiple feeder breakers. The PLC has to control two main (utility) breakers, three generator breakers and the associated tie breakers. In the event of power failure and / or power restoration the system can be selected for either closed transition or open transition schemes. During a closed transition the control system coordinates the synchronization of the generator to the utility. Additionally, the system also utilizes a load management algorithm to open feeders to match the utilized power to the available power on the system. The PLC is a Profibus master and communicates to the protective relays over Profibus. The PLC also allows control and monitoring from existing SCADA.
The scope of the project included:
- Integration of Utility Power and Generator Power Sources
- Multiple Utility and Generator Power Sources
- Automatic Transfer Schemes - Open and Closed
- Control and Monitoring of All Electronic Devices
- Load Management System
The PLC is the central controller for the system. This PLC communicates to all the individual devices in the generato r control system for control and status. All the major logic of the system resides in this PLC.
A diagram of the system appears below:
PLC Based Flexible Assembly
System integration: Flexible assembly system delivers in-sequence automotive cooling modules
A manufacturer in Charleston, SC produces automobile and truck engine cooling systems in its using programmable logic controllers (PLCs), radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and machine-vision-guided robotics to check quality. The company found that manufacturing air conditioning and engine cooling systems for passenger and commercial vehicles accurately, in the proper sequen ce, is a priority for its customers.
One of the manufacturer’s customers in the truck industry asked that assembled cooling modules be provided to its final assembly plant locations. The customer also requested that the company supply these completed cooling modules just-in-sequence (JIS), meaning that each module would be custom built in sequence for a particular truck, with the manufacturer’s line operators pre-assembling the correct components on each module.
To satisfy customer requirements, a modular assembly line capable of building any cooling module with any set of components at any time was designed. The manufacturer chose Control Infotech for help designing and installing the PLC control system required to run the assembly line, and for ensuring that line operators could completely and accurately build, inspect, and load the cooling modules into shipping containers.
The flexibility of its new PLC-based assembly and work instruction system allows the manufacturer to build any model of cooling module in any order as specified by the customer. The material and information-handling chores all are coordinated by one PLC-based automation system responsible for all operations from order entry through shipping. A separate manufacturing execution system (MES) is not required. The manufacturer now providesits customers with just-in-sequence manufacturing services that would not otherwise be possible.
A diagram of the system appears below:
Traction Power Substations
Siemens Transportation awarded a contract to Control Infotech for system integration for 21 Traction Power Substations
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the local public transportation system in Dallas Texas. DART was expanding it’s transit network. A total of 21 new substations were installed in first phase of the project.
Control Infotech's scope consists of:
- Complete PLC programming for substation control
- Operator interface programming in each substations
- A-B PLC programming providing the gateway for communicating with the existing SCADA system in the Central Control Room via Ethernet TCP/IP
Each substation consists of following components:
- AC Main Circuit Breaker
- Rectifier Transformer
- Thyristor Controlled Rectifier
- DC Main Circuit Breakers
- Feeder Breaker
Each substation includes an AC protection relay (Siemens Siprotec-7SJ..) and four DC Feeder Protection relays (Sitras-Pro). A Siemens S7-PLC communicates with the protection relays through Profibus.
Communication to an A-B SLC-500 PLC is through a Prosoft MVI-46 PDPS module (Profibus Slave). A-B PLC’s in adjacent substations are linked through Ethernet communication. Data packets are exchanged between adjacent substation for transfer trip functionality. Also, the A-B PLC is connected to the existing SCADA system through Ethernet for control and monitoring in remote operation mode.
Siemens S7-PLCs communicate to the Thyristor Control Rectifiers (TCR) PLC through Profibus communication for monitoring status. An operator Interface (MP-377, 19” touch screen) in each substations displays the status of breakers and annunciations.
A system architect ure diagram is shown below.
IEC LV Switchgear for Float Glass Plant
Control Infotech is a supplier of low voltage switchgear and motor control centers built to the IEC standard 60439-1. Our deliverables include all of the electrical engineering, development of the CAD drawings (layout, electrical schematics, mechanical buss design) and procurement and assembly of the components into the IEC 60439-1 compliant assembly.
The above picture shows one of the IEC switchgear line ups utilized to power and motors utilized in a float glass facility located in Mexico.
In addition to providing completely assembled IEC switchgear and motor control we can also supply the components required for customers to build there own IEC gear. We offer this component solutions as we are an authorized distributor for Elsteel (IEC 60439-1 components) for Louisiana & Texas.
