SCADA System Reliability- 10 tips to Getting the Best Results Technology Articles | August 20 Nick Foligno Youth Jersey , 2010 Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE ...
Within the wireless communications industry today, there?s an urgent and serious battle being waged for customer ownership. Customer ownership is all about creating and delivering compelling value.
If you?re building out an existing SCADA system, or just getting started on one, a sure-fire way to create this value lies directly in your hands: by building in long lasting system performance and impeccable reliability.
If we set aside the radio preference for the moment David Savard Youth Jersey , the single most important key to more reliable SCADA communication results from careful selection of antenna equipment.
Increasing Reliability Tenfold
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Ruggedized parts, optimized assembly techniques, and specialized coatings, along with improved installation procedures can, in some cases Oliver Bjorkstrand Youth Jersey , deliver a tenfold (10X) increase over the lifespan of traditional aluminum antennas.
Cost effective
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The Yagi-Uda, more familiarly known as the yagi, stands out as the pre-eminent antenna-of-choice for most remote site applications. ?Some SCADA systems may utilize up to 1000 Yagis pointing to an omnidirectional antenna; a highly cost-effective configuration that ensures broad geographic range at minimal cost!
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Given the continuous exposure to the elements, though, susceptibility to damage from wind Ryan Murray Youth Jersey , weathering and in some cases, chemical exposure, remains high. We consider mean time between failures (MTBF) a critical economic consideration when the cost to travel to the field to replace a broken or defective antenna can easily exceed $100 an hour.? It makes real sense, then, that increasing MTBF through investment in better antenna technology can very quickly pay for itself.
In some cases Sonny Milano Youth Jersey , a 25% price premium for antenna equipment may extend your site?s operating life from 12- 24 months to up to 10 years, depending on the installation in question!
Selection Criteria
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=>The antenna design, as well as the actual manufacturing process exerts the greatest influence on the long term performance and life-span of an antenna. Consequently, seek out demonstrably superior designs that incorporate sturdy materials and exhibit well-built construction.
=>Antennas manufactured with 6061 aluminum offer the best combination of strength and light weight.
=>Welded models typically provide the greatest long term performance as they remain one piece, both electrically and mechanically Cam Atkinson Youth Jersey , under virtually all environmental conditions.? In particular, avoid ?press-fit? antenna designs.?
=>Pitting and corrosion occurs rather quickly with untreated aluminum, leading to rapid mechanical deterioration and electrical non-performance within as little as 2 years. Therefore, choose one with either? thermoset (powder coat) or anodizedsurface treatment; avoid those treated solely with chemical conversion coatings (Alodine).
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What else to consider
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=>In addition to antennas, pay careful attention when choosing a feeder cable. In a typical SCADA system Matt Calvert Youth Jersey , the cable connecting the antenna to the radio enclosure endures the same environmental conditions as the antenna. We recommend that cable for the antenna feed should match the life expectancy of the antenna. ?
=>In order to maximize the overall life of the installation, use a UV resistant, low loss RG-8 type coax cable, preferably with a poly-ethylene (PE III-A) jacket, and terminated with N-type connectors. Using the wrong cable can cause huge reductions in efficiency. You cannot recover these losses with any amount of antenna gain or transmitter power.