The 73rd Annual Victorian (WIOA)  Water Industry Engineers & Operators Conference & Exhibition was held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on 2nd and 3rd September 2010. There were 141 exhibitors and over 1000 people attended the exhibition over the two days. There were conference sessions held over the two days allowing delegates to see vendor exhibits and also attend presentations.
There were Award Presentations for the following:

• Presentation of Actizyme Prizes for “Best paper by WIOA Members”
• Presentation of Hepburn & Iwaki Prizes for “Best Paper Overall”
• Presentation of WITC Prize for “Best Operator Poster Paper”
• Presentation of “Operator of the Year” as judged by AWA (Vic)
• Presentation of “Young Operator of Year” as judged by IWA (Vic)

Our stand was well located and we met existing customers and also potential new customers.  Overall it was worthwhile to exhibit and be seen as it increases awareness of our products and enhances the Multitrode brand. Stuart and myself needed to put the feet up after three days of standing and also the “fun part” setting up and packing up!

Read more…

General News, Industry, MultiTrode News

MultiSmart Firmware version 2.3, incorporates a host of new and unique features in addition to enhancements to current functions providing operations the ability to reach new levels of productivity.

Impressive new features include:

• Data Logger Enhancements – There are several new Logging Features for Crisis, Interval and Configuration Logging. Interval Logs can optionally trigger DNP events. User interface has been greatly enhanced including saving logs to CF (config logs, IP address, serial number, MAC address, etc) and System Logs (var/log/messages).
• Alternation by Efficiency Enhancements – When the efficiency of pumps is within a configurable deadband, standard alternation is used instead of the N to 1 ratio.
• DuoProbe Upgrades – This marks the formal software release for support of the DuoProbe, including enhancements to DuoProbe operation and calibration.
• Maintenance Mode – A timer is now associated with Maintenance Mode. In addition, flow calculations are disabled during Maintenance Mode operation.
• Print Out Info Pages to Excel – With the push of a button, capture a snapshot of all values displayed on the Info Pages and save it to a .csv file, which can then be imported into Excel.
• Last Known Power Factor – This innovative tag reflects the last known power factor: You no longer need to wait until the pump starts in order to determine the power factor.
• Generations of DNP/MODBUS Log Files – The size of the protocol logs are now programmable with a configurable number of file generations. These logs can help troubleshoot communications issues.
• Pump Starts/Stops Independent of Level – This clever feature allows custom logic to take full control of pumps and is designed especially for PID applications.
• Probe Fail Indicator – The number of the failed sensor is now indicated which helps isolate Probe problems and reduce the amount of time it takes to troubleshoot the problem.
• WITS-DNP – This involves enhancements to DNP3 mandated by the UK water industry. There are some features which have been designed in a generic way so that they can be used outside of WITS. Exposure outside of WITS is scheduled for a future release.

Other notable improvements include:

• Restart MultiSmart Tag
• Disable a Running ISaGRAF Program
• Pump Reversals
• Single Sensor and Three Sensor Probes
• Ability to View Inhibit Status from Front Screen
• Max Starts
• Configurable Limit for IRT
• Pump Starts and Flow Based on Contactor Closure
• Strings Not Included in DNP Class 0
• Pulse Input Flow and Rain Gauge
• Station Low Flow Rate Alarm

Related Blogs:

New MultiSmart Data Logger Enhancements

New Alternation by Efficiency Enhancement

MultiSmart Firmware 2.3 – DuoProbe Features

Upgrading Firmware Versions

Downloading Firmware Upgrades

Sign Up to Receive Firmware Upgrade Notification Read more…

MultiTrode News Alternation by Efficiency, data logger, DNP, DNP/MODBUS, DNP3, DuoProbe, IRT, isagraf, Last Known Power Factor, Maintenance Mode, Max Starts, Modbus, Power Factor, Probe Fail Indicator, Probes, Pump Reversal, WITS, WITS-DNP

MultiTrode’s MultiSmart Pump Station Manager is the next generation of technology for water and wastewater pump stations – combining the best of PLCs, RTUs and pump controllers into a comprehensive and intuitive package.

MultiTrode’s commitment to R&D is evidenced by the MultiSmart Firmware 2.3.0 Release. This groundbreaking advancement includes numerous technological achievements including data logger enhancements to ensure make accessibility even easier and capabilities even better.

Noteworthy Data Logger Improvements include:

• Crisis Logging – When a configurable Crisis event occurs, values of configured tags are saved to a log file for a User-programmed set of time before and after the crisis. This is an excellent troubleshooting tool. For example, if you receive a Motor Overtemp Fault, you can log the motor currents for 30 seconds before and after the fault.
• Interval Logging – Specific log entries can be stored at periodic intervals. Additionally, these can be configured to trigger a DNP event. This is excellent Trend Analysis tool useful SCADA software, Excel or any trending software.
• Configuration Logs – Any configuration changes are saved to the Configuration Log. If security is enabled, then the username is recorded along with the change. For security-conscious organizations, this is an indispensable security tool.
• Field Comments Logging – This novel features allows you to add Comments to the History Log easily and quickly. For example, configuration changes can be accompanied by a quick note of explanation.
• Enhanced CF Card Options – Save logs to a compact flash card including:
• Configuration Logs
• Device Information Logs (including IP Address, Serial Number, Enable Code, Hardware Version, Firmware Version, DSP Version, etc.)
• Interval Logs
• System Logs
• History Logs

With such valuable information at your finger tips, determining why a specific event occurred will be as simply as reading a log… Perhaps someone changed the configuration: You can see exactly who changed what. Was there a reason for the change? Did they write a Comment? Don’t have time to deal with this now? Just save all the logs to the CF card and look at them later from the comfort of your office.

What could be easier -

Written By:
Jimmy Hidalgo
MultiTrode Applications Engineer
May 11, 2010 Read more…

MultiTrode News Configuration Logs, Crisis Logging, data logger, Enhanced CF Card Options, Field Comments Logging, Interval Logging, MultiSmart, Pump Station Manager

If you haven’t created a user account, please take a few moments to do by clicking on the Sign Up box in the top right of the multitrode.com homepage.

When you get to the Newsletter Signup section, don’t forget to select the box reading “Please give me access to the free MultiSmart firmware upgrades and release information.”

Your request will be processed within 24 hours.

If you already have a user account, and are logged in, you will see “Edit my account details” at the top right of the web page. Click on this, and check the box which reading “Please give me access to the free MultiSmart firmware upgrades & release information.”

 Complete the other details requested and click the Submit button. Your request will be processed within 24 hours. Read more…

MultiTrode News Firmware, firmware upgrades, MultiSmart, MultiTrode

Software upgrades can be downloaded from MultiTrode’s website.

If you haven’t already registered, all you have to do is click on the Sign Up box in the top right of the multitrode.com homepage:

When you get to the Newsletter Signup section, don’t forget to select the box reading “Please give me access to the free MultiSmart firmware upgrades and release information.”

If you have already registered and didn’t select this option – but you want access to MultiSmart firmware, simply email marketing@multitrode.com requesting an upgrade.  Please include a phone number where we can contact you. Read more…

MultiTrode News Firmware, MultiTrode

At MultiTrode, we put our money where our mouth is!

World Leader
MultiTrode is a world leader in control systems with satisfied customers in thirty-five countries worldwide.

15% of Revenue Committed to Research & Development
MultiTrode continues to develop technically advanced products and systems. Our team of highly qualified Research & Development engineers designs and develops products that are focused on making the job easier for operations staff and municipal management in water and wastewater organizations throughout the world.

MultiTrode is continually working on product improvement and new product developments, responding to ideas and feedback from customers.

Worldwide Service and Support
We provide service and support to our customers wherever they are located, either directly or via our network of Channel Partners.

Case on Point
The MultiSmart range of products is the result of a $5M development project and over 20 years of experience in control and monitoring technology for water and wastewater Pump Stations.

The MultiSmart Pump Station Manager incorporates an advanced lift station controller, a flexible and open RTU, a PLC, voltage, energy and current monitoring and other control panel components – all in one unit. Its intuitive interface for operators and engineers means no programming is required. Instead, station performance is adjusted by turning on features and changing parameters.  Read more…

MultiTrode News control panel, MultiSmart, plc, Pump Station Manager, RTU

MultiTrode will be on the road in April…

Texas Water 2010
American Bank Center
1901 N. Shoreline Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX  78403
4/13/2010 – 4/16/2010
Booth #818

Design-Build for Water and Wastewater
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX  76051
4/19/2010 – 4/23/2010
Booth #208

APWA /OWEA Show
Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center
6808 S. 107th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK
4/19/2010 – 4/21/2010
Attending with Automatic Engineering

79th Annual Conference, Short School, and Expo
Hot Springs Convention Center
400 Convention Boulevard
Hot Springs, AR 71901
4/30/2010 – 5/5/2010
Attending with ISI

Please stop by our booths. There you can find out more about MultiTrode Products.

Featuring:

• MultiSmart – The world’s first Pump Station Manager
• The Probe – The most reliable and cost effective liquid level sensor
• SafeSmart Backup Controllers – A complete backup solution

Read more…

MultiTrode News backup controllers, Level Sensing, liquid level sensor, MultiSmart, probe, pump station, Pump Station Management, safesmart

MultiTrode’s Family of Products can be used in a wide variety of applications – water reservoirs, effluent pits, reuse water, water tanks/reservoirs, basement sumps, potable water – even stormwater!

Our recent experience in the City of Zephyrhills (Florida) is a case on point. They needed a simple method of detecting water levels to avoid repeated stormwater flooding, and we were up for the challenge.

Case Study – City of Zephyrhills
Stormwater Pump Controls

Zephyrhills is located in Pasco County, on a ridge that divides the Hillsborough River Basin from the Withlacoochee River Basin. Lake Zephyr, an integral part of the City’s stormwater drainage system, eventually flows south to the Hillsborough River. Although most of the City is drained by surface swales, their structural drainage system includes 2 retention ponds with pumps, emergency generators and force mains. The larger pond is East off US 301 and North of 6 Avenue. The smaller pond is West of 1 Street and South of 14 Avenue. Both ponds are almost completely utilized.

The Challenge
The larger stormwater pond acts as a reservoir, temporarily collecting surface water run-off from surrounding streets. Two large pumps transfer the water to Lake Zephyr, located approximately two miles from the collection area. Last year, level switches controlling the two 40 horsepower pumps failed and the water level rose high enough to cause flooding in surrounding streets and a fire station.

Click here to read more…

  Read more…

MultiTrode News Level Sensing, lift station, MTR, probe, storm water, storm water pump controls, stormwater, stormwater pump controls, unreliable level sensing