Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition

The new ProLinx 6000 Wireless HART Gateways from ProSoft Technology use a digital HART to wireless interface to bring high-speed connectivity to HART smart field devices, and enable the sharing of data between these devices ‘over-the-air’. The WA-HART Gateway utilises the proprietary ProSoft Wireless Protocol (PWP), which allows different industrial networks and protocols to share process and status data with a secure wireless connection. The protocol driver is capable of supporting the HART protocol as a Master on up to 8 channels per gateway, each of which is individually configurable for point-to-point or multi-point applications and asynchronous from the network, providing a great deal of flexibility.

All ProLinx gateways are stand-alone, DIN-rail mounted, and aluminium-cased for maximum durability in the most extreme conditions.

For extended distances, the WA-HART can be used in conjunction with the RLX-500, a bi-directional Amplifier, which extends wireless distance up to 20 miles.

Other ProSoft Technology RadioLinx accessories include: antennas, cables and adapters.

Source and more info: processingtalk

At the UTC Telecom Conference 2006 today, Thales unveiled new functionality for its pioneering Datacryptor(R) Select Application (SA) SCADA security solution introduced last year. The Datacryptor SA now supports the DNP3 protocol widely used by many electric utilities. Datacryptor SA provides a complete cost-effective security solution that can be easily deployed across existing SCADA networks vulnerable to cyber attack. By combining easy to use automatic key management with strong NIST-approved cryptography for authentication and encryption of SCADA connections and maintenance port access, the Datacryptor SA provides unparalleled security performance with minimal impact to operations. Remote maintenance ports on RTU and IED devices are often extremely vulnerable to cyber attack because they are accessible via unsecured dial-up or wireless links and may use default or widely known passwords for access. The Datacryptor SA is designed to provide a highly secure “gate keeper” function to protect maintenance port access as well as secure the authenticity of SCADA messages between Master and Remote.

SCADA networks perform key functions that deliver essential services and commodities such as electricity, natural gas, and water to the public at large. Originally designed in times where security concerns were less prevalent, SCADA networks are vulnerable to cyber attacks that can result in public safety concerns and serious disruptions to the Nation’s economy. As a component of the critical infrastructure, SCADA systems still remain largely unprotected against cyber attacks and present a liability to many system owners.

Designed to meet emerging industry regulations, such as those being put in place by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and the American Gas Association (AGA), the Datacryptor SA provides SCADA system owners in the utility sector with a cost effective means of addressing cyber security threats in their remote access capabilities and communication networks in order to help prevent potential service disruptions or catastrophic events.

Source and more info: businesswire

AREVA T&D, a provider of products, systems and services to the electric transmission and distribution industry, will be launching a variety of new and innovative solutions at the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exhibition in Dallas, TX, May 22-24, 2006.

Visitors to AREVA T&D’s booth number 1123 in Hall “B” at the Dallas Convention Center will be greeted by energy experts and offered an assortment of demonstrations and presentations to observe and discuss. Among the highlights are three product launches for medium and high voltage substations aimed at protecting, monitoring and controlling utilities’ transmission investments.

The first is BiTRONICS(TM) M572, a new monitoring and recording intelligent electronic device (IED) for dual line, dual bus applications. It continuously, quickly and accurately monitors electrical parameters for two full sets of three-phase voltages and currents, tests for any anomalies and then records the anomalies.

AREVA T&D is the world’s largest manufacturer of disconnect switches. The latest product in AREVA T&D’s disconnect line is the CGVB vertical break disconnector. This new switch is built to ANSI and IEC standards and backed by AREVA T&D’s proven reliability of its disconnect switch line in extreme climates all around the world.

The final launch is of another field-tested AREVA T&D technology, e-terracontrol. The latest release, e-terracontrol version 3.4, offers a new application as a complete stand-alone SCADA for utility networks or industrial facilities. The technology has been successful already as a gateway to substations and to power plant digital control systems. Also new in this release is support for the IEC 61850 protocol for integration of substation SCADA systems.

Source and more info: electricnet

At the IEEE power engineering society transmission and distribution conference here today, Cellnet Technology, Inc. (Cellnet®) announced that it has executed an agreement with the City of Seattle to provide Advanced Metering. The initial rollout will deploy the Cellnet wireless mesh network and new electric and water endpoints in the rapidly developing districts of South Lake Union and Denny Triangle, just north of downtown Seattle.

City of Seattle’s project is part of an initiative to deploy “smart metering” technology to support high-tech; medical research; and mixed use commercial, retail, and residential redevelopment in the city.

Cellnet’s two-way fixed network AMI solution, which Seattle City Light will fully own and operate for the City, was selected in a tender process that included several publicly traded and privately held vendor competitors.

Seattle City Light superintendent Jorge Carrasco remarked, “Seattle City Light is focused on providing services that our customers want and deserve, and using current technology in cost-effective ways to help our customers make environmentally sound choices in their energy use.”

Cellnet president and CEO Mike Zito remarked, “Seattle City Light’s vision for an intelligent network that supports hi-tech, urban re-development is a perfect fit for our latest generation of 2-way AMI technology.”

Source and more info: Yahoo

If you are looking to automatically create great-looking reports from real-time OPC and historical data in Wizcon, then WizReport XL Professional is the product for you.

WizReport XL is Excel-based, thus very simple and easy to use. WizReport XL creates and distributes reports in many formats: Excel, PDF, print, email, html, etc. WizReport XL also lets you set-up a reporting website, and will even manage it for you, 100% automatically! Data sources can include OPC Servers for real-time data, native Wizcon history, and every Relational Database on the market today (e.g. for alarms). Reports can be time-scheduled, event-triggered, or user-initiated. It’s no wonder people regard WizReport XL as “The Complete, Professional Reporting Solution” — it’s the #1 selling solution since 10 years.

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Micropower Instrumentation is offering Red Lion’s Data Station Plus. Model CSGATESX is a multiple protocol converter, a system data logger, and a web interface for industrial applications. With two RS232 and one RS422/485 communications ports, as well as a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet port, the Data Station can connect to various devices simultaneously. With downloadable communications drivers, the Data Station can communicate to virtually any serial or Ethernet device in its own native language, and transfer that data to and from any other connected device. Integrating devices with mismatched protocols can now be done with the click of a mouse.

The data logging facility allows variables to be collected and stored along with a time and date stamp for later review of the process. Files are stored on CompactFlash in common CSV file format, allowing readily-available programs such as Microsoft Excel to access them. The ‘virtual HMI’ facility provides a means to view and control a process from any networked PC, using only a standard web browser, while the port sharing facility allows serially connected devices to be reprogrammed remotely.

Source and more info: instrumentation

The master controller module from Red Lion Controls lets users create a ‘virtual HMI’, allowing machines to be controlled and monitored via any networked PC with a standard web browser. This feature also facilitates access and control of any connected device in the system, including PLCs and motor drives. The controller can also log system data directly to CompactFlash in Microsoft Excel-compatible CSV files; these files can be retrieved via USB or the web-server.

“The Red Lion Modular Controller is a proven platform for both advanced data acquisition and management as well as multizone PID control,” said Jesse Benefiel, product manager. “The versatility of the new Master Controller with virtual HMI, paired with either dedicated PID control or data acquisition modules, delivers unprecedented remote monitoring, control and triggering capabilities to a host of legacy machines at an economical price.” In temperature control applications, the Modular Controller lifts the burden of temperature control from the PLC, freeing valuable processing power for other tasks and eliminating expensive I/O cards. A single Master Controller module can accommodate up to 32 loops controlling up to 16 hot-swappable dual PID modules, saving space and greatly reducing total comms scan time compared to discrete node solutions. ‘Drag-and-drop’ configuration and downloadable PLC drivers eliminate writing PLC protocols, letting users quickly integrate with any PLC.

Source and more info: instrumentation

One of Canada’s foremost architectural firms, Stantec has completed the acquisition of communications system engineering firm ACEx Technologies, Inc. This acquisition will add new locations for Stantec in Oakland, California, and Irving, Texas.

ACEx has provided systems engineering expertise for the development of many light rail transit (LRT) systems in the western United States, as well as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and other control systems for power utility authorities. In addition, ACEx has recently started providing engineering services for the design of airport security systems.

The Industrial Automation, scada and Process Control security conference (Johannesburg: 23 and 24 August 2006) will be of interest to any organisation that relies on industrial automation for growth and indeed business survival. Industrial enterprises and utilities increasingly rely on their control systems (scada, DCSs, PLCs, RTUs, and IEDs) to improve their reliability and efficiency. These new systems are proving increasingly vulnerable to security breaches and attacks. Complex and dynamic security environments often require difficult decisions to be made.

Users need to be armed with practical and competent advice in order to make the correct decisions. Tactical not theoretical solutions are the key to success here. This will be a practical event, thus enabling delegates to gain real solutions for their security issues.

Source and more info: instrumentation

Citect, one of the world’s largest, independent, realtime intelligence and industrial automation software companies, is helping Namdeb, a partnership between the Namibian government and De Beers, optimise its diamond recovery process. Citect’s Professional Services worked in conjunction with Namdeb’s Plant and Operations Management to ensure a highly efficient, low cost extraction process.

Namdeb is the biggest exporter in Namibia with diamond exports accounting for more than 30% of Namibia’s total exports and 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP). The Elizabeth Bay mine is situated in the desert sea-bed, and the costs involved with shifting the annual 3 to 4 million tons of sand and rock are enormous. Thus, Namdeb is continually looking for innovative ways to improve production and reduce costs. The company chose Citectscada to monitor and control the processes from the primary crushers and tipping to the diamond recovery plant. The Elizabeth Bay Liberation plant is now fully automated to reduce operating costs. In addition, the plant has implemented Citectscada Reports to improve production reporting.

“Citect’s scalability facilitates future plant upgrades and expansion without requiring modifications to the existing hardware or software. Its single global database simplifies scada software management by allowing changes to be made at a single point that are immediately updated at all Citect stations,” says Ian Holl, Namdeb project manager.

The project consists of 45 000 I/O tags and takes advantage of Citectscada’s fully redundant distributed architecture. Namdeb also benefits from Citectscada’s distributed trending system that handles large numbers of variables without compromising performance or data integrity. Citect’s own programming language, Cicode, provides Namdeb with control of all the elements in its runtime system: realtime data, historical data, operator displays, alarms, trends, security and more.

Source and more info: instrumentation