Pumping stations and there warning lights.

[alanmcm]

Need some advice on sewage pumping stations, our company has recently started to look after them as they were neglected for years so we are flying by the seat of our pants at the minute. We have status dm3420 controllers on the panel and they are set up according to the depth of each wet well. They activate a warning light in two scenarios either very high level or very low level. The issue is that when it reaches very low level the warning light comes on but when the level reaches an acceptable level the warning light stays on instead of resetting and turning the light off leading to one of us being called out to a fault. I have tried forcing the issue by leaving the pumps running below the usual level of where they cut off normally to try and get the low level light to come incase the levels are close together but after an extra meter of pumping it seems that the levels are far enough apart to allow a run on of the pumps. Has anyone used the status dm3420 controllers before that can shed some light on this or should we order another 2 controllers, as there is only 2 out of 30 that seem to have this problem at the moment.


thanks Alan

 

[Silly Sausage]

Are the level transmitters functioning correctly?
Have you simulated inputs to the Process Indicator?
Is the PI setup or working correctly?

Just some ideas for you to work on!

 

[Knobhead]

Time to upgrade the control and monitoring system me thinks.

Sewage plant control is fairly basic when you know what you’re doing.

£225 per hour and I’ll help out.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Need some advice on sewage pumping stations, our company has recently started to look after them as they were neglected for years so we are flying by the seat of our pants at the minute. We have status dm3420 controllers on the panel and they are set up according to the depth of each wet well. They activate a warning light in two scenarios either very high level or very low level. The issue is that when it reaches very low level the warning light comes on but when the level reaches an acceptable level the warning light stays on instead of resetting and turning the light off leading to one of us being called out to a fault. I have tried forcing the issue by leaving the pumps running below the usual level of where they cut off normally to try and get the low level light to come incase the levels are close together but after an extra meter of pumping it seems that the levels are far enough apart to allow a run on of the pumps. Has anyone used the status dm3420 controllers before that can shed some light on this or should we order another 2 controllers, as there is only 2 out of 30 that seem to have this problem at the moment.


thanks Alan

Sounds like ye could land yersel' up to yer neck in shyte on this job bonny lad!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Sewage plant control is fairly basic when you know what you’re doing.

It's just pumping shyte around.
He's come to the right place then!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Heard you the first time!
You're not getting the job

 

[Knobhead]

It's just pumping shyte around.
He's come to the right place then!

First thing I designed as an apprentice was a sewage plant.

I’ve been in the ---- ever since.ac

 

[Silly Sausage]

Anyway, give the boy a break, he's a trainee.

Stop messing the forum Tony, you did this the other day I think.

 

[alanmcm]

Yea the level controls functioning correctly as they have been upgraded in the last few years from the float type system to a (i Think) sonar system and it all works as it should. Pump comes on once it hits 7.5m then goes off at 3.7m, if level reaches 8.5m then both pumps come on and the warning light flashes, once it reaches 7.5m warning light goes off but both pumps stay on until 3.5m. We havent stayed in the station when the low level fault has occurred as it happens each day, the only saving grace is that the light isnt that bright and you have to be up close to realize its flashing, which saves a call out each night. Question is does it sound like a faulty controller? its the same issue with another station in the same area however not as frequent or would it be a programming input that hasnt been put it to make it reset the light once the fault has been corrected? We havent started changing any inputs on the controller as yet incase we make it worse and end up with us swimming in it, there is a defunct station that we might use as a tester site but any other advice would be great.

 

[alanmcm]

Ive got the controller instructions but Im a bit dubious of tampering with the parameters without knowing whats going on everything else in the station is easy enough and Ive picked that up failry quick in the last 2 months but these darn controllers are something I havent had any experience with and wouldnt mind knowing more about them, thanks for the offer of help but think the boss would have a hernia if he had to pay that much out an hour.

 

[PEG]

Alan,get to grips with the principles of operation of the components. You can get the manufacturers spec,and then test your inputs and outputs accordingly. You do not want to be "tampering" with them,as you mention previously,however,you can easily "adjust" them,once their use is understood. I have a vivid memory of an electrician struggling to set up a simple transfer pumping unit,getting infuriated with its' level monitoring,and just "popping in",to check. In haste,forgetting all CS training,and almost being overcome by noxious gasses. If you have a "spare" system,investigate the operation of that,and all its' components,then re-approach your recalcitrant unit,without any need to "tamper". Good luck pal.:stooge_curly:

 

[rockman]

Go outside the door and get yourself an Inspection and Test Job, its much easier mate

 

[rockman]

Go out of the door and get an inspection and test job, they are much easier mate:coolgleamA:

 

[guest119]

http://www.status.co.uk/files/manual/45.pdf

Try programming the alarm delay to max, 240 seconds.

Boydy

 

[Silly Sausage]

Go out of the door and get an inspection and test job, they are much easier mate:coolgleamA:

Ignore that rubbish Alan.

Control & Instrumentation is brilliant.
Stick with it!