Cooling System Management | EMEA
Reliable, centralized control for data center cooling systems
Integrated system management involves multiple communication methods
At data centers, maintaining the optimum environmental conditions is critical. An OEM required an integrated control system to support a new line of data center cooling equipment. The system needed to manage compressors, variable frequency drives (VFDs) and fans – communicating through analog I/O and Modbus protocols.
Increased functionality should not increase the devices and work needed
Our customer, an OEM designing HVAC systems for data center cooling, needed a controller that could integrate multiple functions into a single platform. The application required precise compressor control through a VFD to regulate system pressure, alongside control and monitoring of cooling fans.
In addition, the controller needed to support Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, and analog I/O (0–10 V) for communication with other system components. A local operator interface (HMI) was also required, to allow operators to monitor system performance and adjust setpoints on-site.
As this application was expected to scale to 1,000–2,000 units annually, the customer was considering a custom control board. However, they also needed a solution with a short lead time that could be developed and implemented quickly.
PLC and HMI capabilities in a single unit help to streamline and flexibly support control systems
We proposed the IDEC FT1J PLC+HMI as a complete, integrated control platform that met all of the customer’s requirements. Its onboard I/O supported the analog signals required for compressor and VFD control. Support for Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP network protocols enabled seamless integration with the rest of the HVAC system.
The FT1J also provided relay outputs to control cooling fans, and relay inputs for status monitoring. This enabled the OEM to manage their entire cooling system from a single controller. With the integrated HMI functionality, operators could monitor performance locally and adjust setpoints without additional hardware.
As the FT1J combines control, communications, and visualization in one compact unit, it reduced system complexity, shortened development time, and enabled the customer to meet demanding production schedules.
Find the ideal solution for your data center application with IDEC
The OEM successfully deployed the FT1J as the control platform for its data center cooling system, eliminating any need for a custom-designed controller.
Thanks to the FT1J’s combination of integrated communications, I/Os, and HMI capabilities, the customer accelerated time to market while meeting the performance and reliability levels this high-volume data center HVAC application demanded.
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