Data, data, data – Benefits of Cloud-Based Monitoring for Pump Station Management

Life is becoming more data-driven.

The Internet of Things is commonplace at home and work, where smart meters monitor utility usage and tell us how we can change our habits to decrease bills and live more sustainably.

Data collected by cloud-based monitoring units like T-T's Seer® Monitoring takes this one step further, providing a wealth of data that site operators can use to truly optimise their systems.

T-T discusses the advantages of cloud-based data collection to pumping station management and how it can support operational teams in meeting their cost and sustainability targets.  

Identifying Behaviour and Establishing Rules

As a remote monitoring unit, Seer® captures live data around multiple key attributes conducive to operation, such as incoming voltage, pump running duration, operating current, wet well infill rate and more, storing it all in the cloud.

Once historical data has been gathered, you can establish a pump station’s normal operating conditions and assign rules as to how deviations in live data are managed.

For example, stored data might show that a station has a consistent infill rate during a period of peak demand, like 6 am - 9 am, and that once started, it takes the pumps 5 minutes to empty the chamber to a stop level.

With regular operating parameters established, you can set a rule that alerts specified recipients if it takes longer than normal for the wet well to be emptied, shown by a longer pump running duration. From this, you or another professional can deduce possible causes, for example, a stuck non-return valve that is recirculating water back into the sump, or deterioration of the impeller, simply by comparing data fields available.  

Seer® is unique in the amount of visual data that is available in real time, using accurate representations of the wet well and pump operation, meaning that information is displayed in a non-technical, clear, and concise way, which is very easy to interpret.

Being able to create rules based on asset data allows you to set early warning alerts for events most important to your site, with Seer® alerting specified recipients via email or text. By being notified of abnormalities in their first instance, issues can be resolved sooner and consequences minimised, avoiding unnecessary equipment wear, higher running costs and potential breakdowns.

Labour Attendance Performance

Using historical and live data to diagnose issues before operative despatch means they can attend the site equipped with knowledge of the fault and the necessary parts to resolve it, reducing site labour attendance and increasing the productivity of maintenance staff.

Optimising Efficiency

By continually reviewing pumping station usage trends over time, changes can be made to its operation to optimise performance.

For example, you can decide to ‘hold’ effluent collected in the chamber during peak usage, such as early evening, and pump it later at a time when off-peak energy costs apply.

You may also wish to adjust pump start/stop levels to maximise wet well storage before this holding period to utilise the lower energy costs even further whilst still ensuring septicity concerns are addressed, by monitoring the time period and rate of change.

Reliability, Safety, Peace of Mind

Remote monitoring and cloud-based data provide a wealth of benefits to Facilities Managers, but most of all, they provide peace of mind.

With 24/7 access to live and historical data and customisable alerts, T-T's Seer® Monitoring empowers users to make informed, data-based decisions around service, maintenance and operation that increase performance efficiency and equipment lifespan.

All of this uses fully trusted ‘whitelisted’ technology, ensuring compliance with regulations, with multifactor authentication and both WAN/LAN and GSM versions available.

To learn more about Seer® and T-T's optional monitoring packages, visit our website or speak to a member of the team today.