Wireless networks for water and wastewater plant: easy, timely info access

Stricter regulation, aging infrastructure, and the need for increased operational efficiency plague water facilities. Wireless-enabled systems help ensure better operational decisions and management of plant assets, says Moxa. See photo.

By Control Engineering Staff August 7, 2008

Water and wastewater treatment faces challenges, such as stricter regulation, aging infrastructure, and the need for increased operational efficiency.

Wireless benefits include

-Easy Ethernet connections for new and legacy devices.-Lower cabling costs and greater flexibility.-Cost effective access over large, spread-out areas.-Ability to communicate with new and legacy control devices.

Traditional methods of operation are no longer sufficient, and utilities must become more aggressive in applying new technologies. Wireless implementations can help. Information-enabled systems help ensure better operational decisions and better management of plant assets. Water treatment plants are typically spread out over a large area, with much of the facility located outdoors. Automated systems improve operational efficiency.Implementation involves computer-controlled devices and remote monitoring over a fast and reliable network, such as an Ethernet-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.Rugged reliable designs are needed for any devices facing such harsh environmental conditions.

Moxa says tank farms are great applications for wireless technologies.

For such applications, Moxa Technologies industrial wireless technologiesAmong other products, there’s also EDS-405A, EDS-408A Managed Ethernet switch with 5 or 8 ports; and NPort W2004 Wireless serial device server with 4 ports.These products provide easy Ethernet connections for new and legacy devices, reduce cabling costs and provide greater flexibility.Other advantages of wireless include cost effective access over large, spread-out areas, such as locations not easily wired; and ability to communicate with new and legacy control devices. Learn from .– Edited by Mark T. Hoske , editor in chief Control Engineering System Integration eNewsletter Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free .