Electricity + Control August 2017

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7 Electricity + Control AUGUST 2017
CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION
<<Author>>
Desmond Mabilo is a
Systems Architect in
Energy Management –
Digital Grid, Siemens.
+27 (0) 11 652 3667
equipment failures. This analysis can be used to
trigger programs that prevent equipment failure,
which may be hazardous causing injuries and fa-
talities to life in the surroundings of the equipment
and damage to property and large costs to utilities.
The Siemens EnergyIP MDM Systems and Analyt-
ics Foundation is currently installed on many sites
globally, executing accurate billing functions, and
analytics functions enabling the smart grid drive
operate distribution grid infrastructure within safe
boundaries.
References
[1] Johnson L, Potreck L. Getting smart about
smart meter analytic: Satisfying customers,
enhancing operations, and running a better
utility business, August 2016.
[2] Siemens - Digital Grid, EnergyIP: A Flexible,
Scalable Platform for Smart Grid Applications
products-systems-solutions/software-solu-
tions/emeter/pages/energyip.aspx, Last Ac-
cessed: 28/06/2017
CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION round up
Object detection for long ranges and difficult surfaces
Alternative for difficult surfaces: Ultrasonic sensors transmit and receive sound waves in the
ultrasonic range. The object to be detected reflects the sound waves and the distance information
is determined via time of flight measurement, as opposed to photoelectric sensors colour, trans-
parency or the object’s surface shine do not play a role. Blister packages in packaging technology or
transparent plastic bowls in the food industry, for example, can be reliably detected.
High performance:The ifm ultrasonic sensors in M18 design provide a particularly small blind zone
and long sensing ranges which are usually only achieved by sensors of a considerably larger design.
The sensors operate reliably with heavy soiling so that they can be used in applications in which
photoelectric sensors meet their limits.
Enquiries or email
Connection for intelligent sensors
Robust field bus modules with safe connection: The decentralised IO-Link master mod-
ules are used as gateways between intelligent IO-Link sensors and the fieldbus. They are
the perfect choice, even in the most difficult environments: The materials and production
methods are identical to the ifm jumper cables of the tried-and-tested EVC product series.
The ecolink technology guarantees reliable, permanently ingress-resistant M12 connections
of the connection cables.
Energy limitation for UL class 2 units: Many sensors require an energy-limited supply with
UL class 2 approval. The limitation of energy is usually achieved via a corresponding power
supply. With the AL series IO-Link master, sensors can be supplied according to UL class 2
without using an energy-limited power supply approved to UL class 2.
Enquiries or email