ILLINOIS -- Westermo technology has enabled a cost-effective upgrade of the data communications network supporting new PLCs at water pumping stations in Bedford Park, Illinois, USA. Westermo Wolverine Line Extenders have enabled the existing cabling to be reused for a new resilient Ethernet network, helping to considerably reduce installation time and costs.
The ageing PLCs that controlled equipment at three pumping stations were becoming obsolete, with maintenance requirements increasing and sourcing spare parts challenging. It was decided that the PLCs would be replaced, along with the supporting data network, which was based on a proprietary protocol and did not offer the necessary reliability or functionality.
Concentric Integration, a company specializing in utility technology for governments and municipalities, was tasked with upgrading the system to increase its reliability and ensure it could be supported in the future. A new Ethernet network was required, but the cost of replacing existing cabling with fiber was not only very expensive, but also extremely time-consuming.
Concentric Integration turned to Westermo for support and the company’s Wolverine range of Ethernet line extenders provided the ideal solution to this issue. The Wolverine extenders utilize SHDSL technology on twisted pair cables to establish a high-speed remote connection between two Ethernet networks. Instead of installing fiber or radio links, the SHDSL technology provides a cost-effective solution using the existing cables.
In total, nine Wolverine DDW-142-485 Line Extenders are being used to create networks supporting PLC to PLC communications for the three pumping stations. A single line extender is installed at the main pump stations and another at each underground metering and inlet vault.
