uptime
m
e
gazine · 01/09
Remote Monitoring
In addition to the relay outputs, the
compact also has data outputs. The
DC outputs are used for exporting
the 4-20mA signals to the process
control system at the power station.
Operators use this information to
keep an eye on the vibration levels of
the generating unit. Using the setup
software program that comes with the
compact monitor, the Operators can
also acknowledge incoming alarms,
reset relays and change setups.
Vibration data is also exported from
various power stations to the SCADA
system at the Andritz Hydro Italian
headquarters in Schio via an OPC
interface. Here the factory is not
authorized to change the setups,
but they can keep an eye on the per-
formance of their machine during the
warranty period. This makes it both
easier and faster to react to machine
problems should they arise. An ex-
ample of a SCADA screen display is
shown in Figure 7.
Conclusion
The compact monitor plays an im-
portant role in filling the gap between
inexpensive vibration monitors and
the expensive rack-based monitoring
systems. This is important for moni-
toring critical hydroelectric generating
Giovanni
Zampin
Project Manager
Enrico
Simonetto
Electrical
Engineering
Responsible
DiegoSaccon
Hydro Service
Mechanical
Engineer
units that are relatively small, and
where there are only one or two units
in the power station. In this case the
important functionality composes of:
n
Condition monitoring measure-
ments such as vectors
n
Remote monitoring capability
As an OEM product, it is also im-
portant that the compact monitor be
limited to one or two standard config-
urations, that can be later fine-tuned
on-site.
Acknowledgements
We thank the following employees
from Andritz Hydro for their participa-
tion in making this article.
We also thank Claudio Veronesi from
E.S.C. Srl for his contributions.
n
Figure 7. Example of the vibration
data exported to the SCADA sys-
tem via OPC interface. The screen
capture above shows vibration data
plotted against process parameters
such as speed and active power.
The compact monitor has its own
remote monitoring software and da-
tabase (xms), but this is not needed
for this application, as this is done by
the SCADA system.