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.

MultiSmart has the capability of calculating efficiency based on 3 measured variables:

1. Supply Voltage
2. Current
3. Flow

Knowing these 3 variables enables the Operator to calculate gallons per kilowatt Hr (gal/kWhr).

MultiSmart Firmware Version 2.3.0 includes a groundbreaking advancement, Alternation by Efficiency, the ingenious derivative of MultiSmart’s gal/kWhr ability!

In order to save energy costs, this mode is especially useful where an old pump, scheduled for replacement, is coupled with a new pump.

The Old Way:

Create an N to 1 ratio based on the most efficient pump, allowing the most efficient pump to run N (N is user adjustable) times more than the least efficient pump.

The Problem:

1. Although pump efficiencies begin to equalize, the alternation mode is continues to favor one pump over the other because N to 1 is an absolute comparison.
2. When implemented, some stations experience a high number of starts per day on the most efficient pump which adversely affects the efficiency of new pumps.
3. Not all systems are set up the same. Therefore, there’s a need for indication of the currently active alternation scheme.

MultiTrode’s Solution:

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

Our team of highly qualified R&D engineers set their sights on addressing these shortcomings, focused on making O&M jobs easier and elating our Customers.  There is we did:

1. MultiTrode created an Efficiency Deadband (%). This allows for a standard alternation scheme to occur whenever the efficiency of the pumps fall into the Efficiency Deadband. If the difference in efficiency exceeds the Efficiency Deadband, the station will resume the N to 1 ratio favoring the most efficient pump.
2. MultiTrode recommends setting the Station Optimization feature of Max Starts per Hour on each pump.
3. For ease of reference, a database tag was created to indicate when the regular alternation scheme is active in the Pump Alternation Efficiency Mode.

Written By:
Jimmy Hidalgo
MultiTrode Applications Engineer
May 14, 2010 Read more…

General News Efficiency Deadband, most efficient pump, MultiSmart, PLCs, Pump Alternation Efficiency, pump controllers, pump efficiency, Pump Station Manager, RTUs, Station Optimization, wastewater pump stations

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

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