Rural water supply and water demand ... - Up To - SOPAC

Communications
Data is communicated from site by;
[31]
• site interrogation via a laptop or palmtop (e.g. Psion) computer
• return of the data logger to the office for PC interrogation
• telemetry, either via PSTN, GSM or Paknet
Telemetry data logger
Telemetry loggers should be capable of linking to a range of communication systems. In
addition to the data capture specifications listed in 3.3.2, they should have the option of;
• internal PSTN modem
• GSM (Cellnet or Vodaphone) module
• Paknet radio-pad
An initiative by one water company (reported in "Water Bulletin" - January 1998), involves
connection via Vodaphone's wireless data network, using 1200 "Paknet Radio-Pad"
connections (modem equivalent). It is claimed that purchase and installation of the radio
network will cost 10% of a fixed line system, which can cost up to £3000.00 for a single
connection. Line rental is also less (50% of a standard telecom line). The monitoring system
uses ABB Kent-Taylor meters and a mix of Radcom and ABB data loggers. The antennae are
housed in polyethylene pillars.
Individual manufacturers can provide more detailed specifications for their monitoring
equipment. Leading manufacturers are listed in Appendix 1.
Monitoring software and information systems
Software is required to arrange logged data into a form where it can be used for analysing and
interpreting total night flow losses in each DMA.
Software for calculating and displaying total night flow losses is usually provided by logger
manufacturers. Companies either use manufacturers' software, commission consultants, or use
their own in-house facilities for writing software for leakage reports and for DMA management.
Typical information required for these reports are;
• DMA details
• DMA night flow data and aggregated flows
• total night flow losses in each DMA
[MR351 - Schölzel]