Established Digital Valve Control Goes Wireless

Starting with site trials in 2009, market-leading valve actuation specialist Rotork (UK) is extending the capabilities of the globally acknowledged Pakscan digital control system with the addition of a wireless option.   The modular nature of the latest Rotork Pakscan P3 master station now allows the user to have the choice of a fully wired loop for control and monitoring, a fully wireless control and monitoring system or wired control with wireless monitoring.

Utilising the internationally accepted 2.4GHz frequency the Pakscan P3 wireless network card gives the user access to all the standard data available from the wired Pakscan system, together with the diagnostic and asset management information stored by Rotork actuator data logger and configuration files. It allows easy extraction of these files, which up until now have only been downloadable locally, using hand held tools.

The wireless system also increases the available actuator count of each master station to 300, and has a   line-of-site operating range of approximately 70 metres indoors and 1000 metres outdoors. The use of meshing and repeaters further increases the range to individual field units.

To provide robust on-site communications, the wireless option operates a meshing system which will ensure that all nodes have the facility of at least two routes back to the master station. If the normal traffic route is blocked, the network will find another way to route the messages. This self-healing network complements the loop-back capabilities of the established Pakscan two-wire loop and therefore makes it an ideal addition to the Pakscan range. Along with the existing in-built security features of the Pakscan P3 system, the security of data over the air is ensured by using encryption facilities.

Support for third party devices such as pumps and flowmeters is possible using the Rotork general purpose field control unit (GPFCU), where the communications from the supervisory control system are transparently routed to the device.

Pakscan P3 wireless offers simple access to asset management information. Built in web pages make it possible to easily extract actuator data logger and configuration files from the control room.