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Thread: Trigger alarm if outlet off for too long?

  1. #1
    Regular Vistor
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
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    Trigger alarm if outlet off for too long?

    Hi All,

    I'm using a continuous duty pump to push water through my calcium reactor. I have the bubble count set a little more than needed and use a CO2 solenoid to control the pH within the reactor chamber. The CO2 solenoid is controlled by applying power to an energy bar outlet. It's been running fairly reliably. I'm writing alarms for failures in the system and need some help. Three cases that I've identified:

    1) CO2 gas low, bubble count too low, or solenoid stuck in the off position --> reactor pH gets too high
    2) Solenoid gets stuck in the ON position --> reactor pH gets too low
    3) In the event that the pump loses its prime or somehow loses pumping efficiency --> the rate of solenoid cycling will slow down.

    What I'm looking to address is writing alarm code that will trigger if the EB8 outlet that powers the solenoid has been off for too long. Say for example my solenoid routinely cycles once every two hours. In the event that the solenoid is off of three hours, I'd like the alarm to tell me about it.

    I was thinking of creating a virtual outlet that mirrors the solenoid outlet, yet incorporates a delay in turning on. Doing this the CO2 outlet needs to be off for a certain period of time before the virtual outlet triggers, which would then trigger the alarm.

    Anyone have thoughts on implementing this?

    Thanks,

    CS

  2. #2
    Frequent Visitor
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    May 2017
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    Minneapolis, MN (CST)
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    Consider the ways the system could fail:

    1. Outlet doesn’t switch on
    2. Outlet doesn’t switch off
    3. Outlet switches on but solenoid doesn’t
    4. Outlet switches off but solenoid doesn’t

    The first two are extremely uncommon, so although you could do what you’re thinking, it won’t really help you know if the solenoid itself get’s stuck which is what you really care about.

  3. #3
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Dec 2012
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    California - US Pacific
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    [CO2OFF2LONG] // a virtual output
    Set OFF
    If Output CO2 = OFF Then ON
    Defer 180:00 Then ON


    In the email output program, add:

    If Output CO2OFF2LONG = ON Then ON
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  4. #4
    Regular Vistor
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    Oct 2016
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
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    Thanks very much RussM. Exactly what I am looking for. Sleepydoc, I've got #3 and #4 in your list covered by pH bound triggered errors. This is a fifth case is probably my most likely, where the system doesn't fail totally, but slows down because something happened to my pump. That's what I'm trying to trigger. Thanks all!

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