Mechanical Installations

In many industries, mechanical systems serve as the backbone

of operations.

Thermal data collected with a thermal imaging camera can be

an invaluable source of complimentary information to vibration

studies in mechanical equipment monitoring.

Mechanical systems will heat up if there is a misalignment at

some point in the system.

Conveyor belts are a good example. If a roller is worn out, it will

clearly show in the thermal image so that it can be replaced.

Typically, when mechanical components become worn and less

efficient, the heat dissipated will increase. Consequently, the

temperature of faulty equipment or systems will increase rapidly

before failure.

By periodically comparing readings from a thermal imaging

camera with a machine’s temperature signature under normal

operating conditions, you can detect a multitude of different

failures.

Suspected roller Overheated bearing

This thermal image shows an electric engine under normal operation.

Motors can also be inspected with a thermal imaging camera.

Motor failures like brush contact-wear and armature shorts

typically produce excess heat prior to failure but remain

undetected with vibration analysis, since it often causes little

to no extra vibration. Thermal imaging gives a full overview and

allows you to compare the temperature of different motors.

Other mechanical systems monitored with thermal imaging

cameras include couplings, gearboxes, bearings, pumps,

compressors, belts, blowers and conveyor systems.

Examples of mechanical faults that can be detected with thermal

imaging are:

• Lubrication issues

• Misalignments

• Overheated motors

• Suspect rollers

• Overloaded pumps

• Overheated motor axles

• Hot bearings

These and other issues can be spotted at an early stage with

a thermal imaging camera. This will help to prevent costly

damages and to ensure the continuity of production.

Motor: Bearing Problem.

Motor: Internal Winding Problem.

References: Flir Systems

The BTU07 is a full featured and low cost BTU meter with Modbus over RS485 capability developed specifically for sub metering applications. The DFSR737A is unique among BTU meters by having the BTU calculator separate from the flow sensor, which allows the flow meter to be installed where it is needed, but with the BTU calculator and display installed anywhere it is convenient for tenant reading. The BTU07 comes as a set together with the flow and temperature sensors.

The AMR (auto meter reading) is an I/O module that has been specifically designed for the special needs of auto meter reading applications. The AMR can be interfaced directly with the output of various types of pulse output meters (electricity, water, gas, BTU) and the data collected from the various meters sent to a central host via its RS485 interface. Some special features which distinguish it from regular I/O modules are:

– noise filtering from the pulse input to prevent miscounts

– EEPROM memory to retain count data in case of power interruption

– accommodates up to 16 channels of pulse input

– dry contact channel input that eliminates the need for additional power supply

– synchronize retain count with actual meter display

– rechargeable battery backup option to maintain at least 8 hours of continuous operation during a power outage

and many more!

Optional VAV Accessories for use with ZN Line modules

The ZASF is part of a family of control modules designed specifically for VAV terminal box applications. It is designed to be used with the ZN341v+ and ZN141v+. It mounts directly on the secondary VAV damper shaft and provides an integral actuator and a second integrated flow sensor for damper positioning and air-flow sensing in dual duct or tracking systems.

Zone Controller

Automated Logic’s ZN220 provides unprecedented power and flexibility through fully programmable networked controllers. The ZN220 controllers connect to the Building Automation System (BAS) network using BACnet over ARCNET 156 kbps or MS/TP. The ZN220 supports a line of RS room sensors using its Rnet port.

Multi-Equipment Application Controllers

M Line controllers are ideal for multi-equipment applications in commercial environments. These robust standalone controllers utilize native BACnet communications over a high-speed ARCNET 156 kbps network to ensure superior performance.

Powerful Multi-Equipment Controllers

ME 812U Line – Powerful Multi-Equipment Controllers

The ME812U controllers have the speed, power, memory, and I/O flexibility to handle the most demanding control applications in the industry. Capable of controlling multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously, this robust BACnet controller can support complex control strategies with plenty of memory for trends, and is capable of third party integration using other communication protocols.

Powerful Multi-Equipment Controller and Router

ME-LGR Powerful Multi-Equipment Controller and Router

Combining the features of our powerful multiequipment controller with a high-speed BACnet® router, the ME-LGR can do it all. Need 100 Mbps communications to a critical control site? Need to control multiple pieces of equipment at that site? Need to integrate third-party equipment on a proprietary network with your BACnet system? No problem. The ME-LGR can do it all, and it can also serve as a router to controllers on an ARCNET 156 kbps or MS/TP network.

Software

WebCTRL Powerful and Intuitive Front End For Building Control

Automated Logic has long been known for its intuitive, powerful front-end building control software. In fact, ALC pioneered graphical programming in the industry. With our graphical user interface, users have such features as hierarchical scheduling, thermographic color floor plans, trending, alarm management, and reporting. And with WebCTRL®, our web-based building automation system, all of these features are available through a standard web browser – without any special software or plug-ins.

Characteristics

Introduction To Building Management Systems

A BMS is most common in a large building. Its core function is to manage the environment within the building and may control temperature, carbon dioxide levels and humidity within a building. As a core function in most BMS systems, it controls heating and cooling, manages the systems that distribute this air throughout the building (for example by operating fans or opening/closing dampers), and then locally controls the mixture of heating and cooling to achieve the desired room temperature. A secondary function sometimes is to monitor the level of human-generated CO2, mixing in outside air with waste air to increase the amount of oxygen while also minimising heat/cooling losses.

Systems linked to a BMS typically represent 40% of a building\\\’s energy usage; if lighting is included, this number approaches 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing energy demand. Improperly configured BMS systems are believed to account for 20% of building energy usage, or approximately 8% of total energy usage in the United States.[citation needed]

As well as controlling the building\\\’s internal environment, BMS systems are sometimes linked to access control (turnstiles and access doors controlling who is allowed access and egress to the building) or other security systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) and motion detectors. Fire alarm systems and elevators are also sometimes linked to a BMS, for example, if a fire is detected then the system could shut off dampers in the ventilation system to stop smoke spreading and send all the elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them in the event of a fire.

Functions of Building Management Systems

The three basic functions of a central, computer-controlled BMS are:

• controlling

• monitoring

• optimizing

the building’s facilities, mechanical, and electrical equipment for comfort, safety, and efficiency.

A BMS normally comprises of:

• Power systems

• Illumination system

• Electric power control system

• Heating,Ventilation and Air-conditioning HVAC System

• Security and observation system

• Magnetic card and access system

• Fire alarm system

• Lifts, elevators etc.

• Plumbing system

• Burglar alarms, CCTV

• Trace Heating

• Other engineering systems

• Home Automation System

• Fire alarm and Safety system

Benefits of BMS

Building tenant/occupants

• Good control of internal comfort conditions

• Possibility of individual room control

• Increased staff productivity

• Effective monitoring and targeting of energy consumption

• Improved plant reliability and life

• Effective response to HVAC-related complaints

• Save time and money during the maintenance

Building owner

• Higher rental value

• Flexibility on change of building use

• Individual tenant billing for services facilities manager

• Central or remote control and monitoring of building

• Increased level of comfort and time saving

• Remote Monitoring of the plants (such as AHU\\\’s, Fire pumps, plumbing pumps, Electrical supply, STP, WTP etc.)

Maintenance Companies

• Ease of information availability problem

• Computerized maintenance scheduling

• Effective use of maintenance staff

• Early detection of problems

• More satisfied occupants

References

Wikipedia