If you can't teach.... LEARN! (ME)

[Deleted User]

I remember him telling me about them, but never persued it.

Thanks!


ME

[Deleted User]

Opporknockity only tunes once...

You all know the story of Opporknockity, right?

I only had 1 student sign up for my hydronic radiant class. Not enough students = free time on my hands.

So, there's been this class that I've ALWAYS wanted to take on PLC's. That's programmable logic controllers. Opportunity knocked... and I answered.

How many of you guys (and gals) use PLC controllers on your HVAC jobs?

These things are COOl. Lots of 1's,0's, I's and O's.

Your imagination is the only limitation...

Kinda nice being on the other side of the podium again;-)

ME

Brad White_168

fun with PLC's

A friend turned me on to AutomationDirect.com which has a nice simple line of PLC's, programming software and accessories (a mere fraction of their line, too- Check out their micro-drives).

Starting with the need for an electronic timeclock.... thus began a need for another 12-Step, ah, program...

Practically the most fun you can have with your pants on.

michael siena

i use them all the time at work. Questions comments remarks?

[Deleted User]

Other than the obvious optimum start/stop...

What else do you use them for in the HVAC field. Resets? VSD? DC analog I/O?

Can you alarm with them?

Internet access for monitoring?

Thanks!

ME

[Deleted User]

Like a kid in a candy shop...

Thanks Brad!

ME

ALH_4

Mark,

Now that I am in municipal engineering work, I'm getting a crash course in all kinds of electronics. I had no idea what I didn't know. Still dont. :-) Current project is a swimming pool for a small town, and soon a wastewater treatment plant for a larger town. I am always looking for references, so if you get any good leads, please let me know. Hope the course is fun and informative.

hr

Hook up with Clay Thorton

over in Salt Lake. He and Siggy did an RPA seminar on this topic years ago. Clay has a good electronics background coupled with his award winning hydronic projects.

I'll bet you could get an earful of learning from him.

hot rod

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jp_2

simplifing controls

one thing you can get rid of pump controls.
run pumps directly from PLC or relay if load calls for it.

can program pumps, mixing little zones with large ones, reduce short cycling.

program 'when' buffer tank is needed.

program DWH calls, morning preheat. before space heating, no conflcit problems.

you could program extra 'safeties' or program redundant safeties.

edit: program DHW at lower supply temps during off periods where longer recovery has no effect.
problem is this all starts costing!!!!

Christian Egli_2

Climbing up the ladder

PLC and ladder logic certainly makes for copperless control panels. Fast and easy (assuming we're not just satisfied with a simple on and off). Add in solid state relay and you can really kick electromechanical gadgetry.

If I may suggest a follow up course, PID control is even more fascinating. Calculus based proportional, integral, derivative control is the ultimate as far as flattening out anticipated bumps in temperature control. Knowing what to do with tuning and autotuning features pays off. Plus, it is very common nowadays and often a built in feature of boxed PLC control packages.

And of course, for the live and don't learn crowd, a simple class on windows control is all it takes to be cool.

Who says learning is no fun. Go for all the extra credit.