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.

Introduction

Ever since the first commercial thermal imaging camera was

sold in 1965 for high voltage power line inspections, by what

would later become FLIR Systems, the use of thermal imaging

cameras for industrial applications has been an important market

segment for FLIR.

Since then thermal imaging technology has evolved. Thermal

imaging cameras have become compact systems that look just

like a digital video camera or digital photo camera. They are easy

to use and generate crisp real-time high-resolution images.

Thermal imaging technology has become one of the most

valuable diagnostic tools for industrial applications. By detecting

anomalies that are usually invisible to the naked eye, thermal

imaging allows corrective action to be taken before costly

system failures occur.

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.

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.

Powerful Gateway

Automated Logic’s Equipment Portal (EQ-PRTL) sets a new standard for integrating other manufacturers’ equipment into WebCTRL®. EQ-PRTL is a powerful gateway to a single piece of equipment /device using proprietary or open protocols such as Modbus and LonWorks. Support for BACnet® over ARCNET 156 kbps and MS/TP communications are standard.

A Tool for Sustainable Building Operations

Automated Logic’s EnergyReports™ application is an incredibly flexible, easy-to-use reporting tool that gives facility managers the power to produce a wide variety of reports showing a building’s energy consumption. Using dynamic and animated color graphs, EnergyReports allows users to compare energy consumption or demand over different periods with simple drop-down menus and calendar control options. A click of the mouse enables users to normalize consumption data, convert the data to cost or carbon dioxide emissions, and change engineering units on the fly. This gives facility managers a powerful tool to minimize energy consumption, maximize comfort, and achieve sustainable building operations

Balancing Efficiency with Comfort

WebCTRL Environmental Index – Balancing Efficiency With Comfort

As energy prices continue to soar, facility managers are under increasing pressure to find ways to cut building operating costs. A simple solution would be to decrease energy consumption, but smart managers know that sacrificing comfort for energy savings could lead to even bigger financial problems. After all, studies have shown productivity decreases as comfort levels decline, leading to lost revenues in companies and difficult learning environments in school systems. What’s needed is a way to measure comfort, so managers would know exactly how far to cut energy usage without negatively impacting comfort.

Automated Logic’s Environmental Index provides the solution. Since the key component of comfort is temperature, ALC’s index starts with assigning point values based on the difference between zone temperature and heating and cooling set points. Other factors, such as humidity and CO2 levels, can also be computed into the numeric system to reflect one “comfort” score for all factors. This is a powerful tool for facility managers who need to identify buildings with performance problems or ensure buildings don’t become less efficient as changes are made.

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