Introducing
D-LERT by Falcon Wireless
Getting water to the consumer (and back to the filter plant) is not an easy thing to do! How do you know when a pump has quit, a tank level sensor has malfunctioned, or your system has been hit by lightning? How do you get in touch with someone to take care of the problem when the problem is detected? What is it costing you for overflowing tanks? What is your responsibility for proper chlorine levels and how can you be sure you are within limits?
We took the time to study the needs of utility departments and we have developed an expandable system to meet your specific needs beginning with lightning protection. We can stop your lightning problems once and for all, efficiently and inexpensively!
Next, we can eliminate costly telephone line charges between pumps and tanks with more cost efficient, reliable radio links for less than you may be paying for phone line charges!
We can monitor pumps, flow meters, tank sensors, and electrical circuits and transfer the information wherever you wish to the office, to on-duty personnel wherever they may be at surprisingly low cost.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
Traditionally, leased telephone lines have been used to control pumps and tanks with the associated sensors to provide the proper monitoring and control functions. The problem is that two of the best targets for lightning are tanks and pumps! Tanks in particular often serve the function of being the community lightning rod. Normally this is not a problem since the lightning goes directly to ground with no harm done. However, when you add a phone line or an ungrounded control panel next to the tank, the situation quickly changes!
The number one lightning problem for sewage and water systems is the telephone line. Since the phone line is not grounded, it can provide an alternate path (instead of going directly to ground) that can be very destructive to the associated equipment! You can spend a lot of money installing grounding systems and protective devices, but the best solution is to GET RID OF THE TELEPHONE LINES!
TELEPHONE LINES
The most common type of phone line used for control applications is a dedicated copper paired line, often referred to as an RT circuit. Since the phone companies make the most money from shared circuits, they dont have a lot of interest in providing high quality dedicated circuits. As a result, these lines are often older circuits that are generally unusable for regular telephone service (i.e. they often short out during heavy rainfall periods).
The cost of an RT circuit will vary depending on the tariffs of the local phone company, but in general, you can assume a cost of five dollars monthly per quarter of a mile based on a connection path from the point of origin (such as a tank), to the nearest central office, and then to the secondary point (such as a pump). This can be very expensive!
RADIO TELEMETRY LINKS
Radio Telemetry Links or RTLs offer an alternative to phone lines in that they provide a higher level of service with much improved reliability and almost total elimination of lightning problems. There are no monthly charges associated with RTLs. You simply make a one time purchase for the equipment, installation, and spares. Servicing of an RTL is as simple as exchanging a defective unit with a spare replacement. No special training is required by your technicians.
ALARM REPORTING AND NOTIFICATION
Alarm reporting is the process by which a fault is detected, such as an overflowing tank, a malfunctioning pump motor, or related sensors. The method by which a device is monitored is accomplished in any one of several ways, but for best results, the detection is normally made by an electrical contact or change in contact status. There are a variety of sensors available for this function including anodes, flow meters, current detectors etc. The selection of the proper sensor is critical to the operation of an alarm reporting system.
The same basic elements are used by either water or sewage treatment. The objective is to monitor activity, detect changes, and convey the information to someone or something that can take the necessary corrective action. The telephone line or RTL provides the link between the source of need and the point of termination or notification point.
The business of Falcon Wireless is primarily that of a wireless service and notification system provider. Normally, sensors are already in place and provided by the user. We step in at the point of contact (the output from the sensor or sensors). We can assist in the selection of sensors if desired but normally we work from what is already in place.
At the tank, you would normally like to know if the tank is at a level requiring filling or when it has billed (a two function sensor). This is normally accomplished by float valves when remote monitoring and control is applicable. Anodes are not well suited for this purpose.
Pump motors can be monitored by heat, RPMs, presence or lack of AC power, or when flow meters are used, the flow rate. Normally, the ability to sense the need for filling and cutoff of a tank and the failure of a pump motor is sufficient for the needs of most municipal users. Once this information is obtained, it is sent by phone line or RTL to the monitoring or notification point.
The notification point can be a simple panel at the administrative office. When a fault is detected, an audible alarm is sounded, or flashing lights, or both. The next advancement is the utilization of a Notification Controller. In essence, this is a device that detects incoming alarm status changes and then dials a phone number (or numbers as applicable). These devices can send a numeric page message, an alphanumeric page message, a voice message, or a combination of all three to a single phone number or multiple phone numbers if desired.
NOTIFICATION ALERTING DEVICES
The final element of the system is the device that receives the alarm notification. This can be a low cost numeric pager assigned to maintenance and/or administrative personnel. The equipment location and/or type of malfunction can be displayed as a coded numeric message. Alternately, a full text message display receiver can be used with more specific information, or the call can be routed to a phone (standard, cell phone, or both) with a voice message containing location and fault information. Now, lets look at the typical cost of an D-LERT System by Falcon Wireless!
RTL Links
An RTL link basically eliminates dedicated telephone circuits between each tank and the associated pump. The system includes a radio transceiver, associated antennas, enclosure, and power supply with battery backup at the tank and at the pump. The price per pair, excluding installation is - $3,990.
Note: Installation within 75 miles of Birmingham, Alabama adds $500.
To determine your total system cost for an RTL link, simply multiply
The number of tank/pump combinations by $4.495.
Alarm Reporting
Each RTL has the capability of monitoring up to 8 sensor inputs (provided by customer). This information can be sent to an Alarm reporting station capable of monitoring a change in status (high/low water levels at tanks, pump or electrical failure) at each tank or pump location. This information is sent to the office or other monitoring location where changes in input are displayed on a light panel display. The price of the alarm reporting station including installation is - $2.995
Alarm Notification
Alarm notification can be sent to an off premise telephone, cell phone or pager if desired. The device used for this purpose is connected to the Alarm Reporting Terminal and a standard non-dedicated telephone line. The Alarm Notifer can be programmed to send a voice message, an alphanumeric page or a combination of both with a multiple user call list to allow calls to be made to more than one recipient. The price of the Alarm Notifier, excluding cell phone or pager is - $1,995
A typical RTL system involving three tanks with associated pumps (3 x $3995) plus Alarm Reporting ($2995) and Notification ($1,995) would have a total cost of $16,975. With a useful life of over ten years, you annualized cost per year would be just $1,698. Since the typical cost of phone lines to accomplish far less, with much less reliability would be in the $150 per month range ($1,800 annually), this system could easily pay for itself.
If you wish, we offer a five year leasing plan with the option to terminate, renew at a reduced rate, or purchase for $1 at the end of the lease term. The monthly rate approximately $425 or less for the complete system INCLUDING alarm monitoring and Notification. Or, if you prefer, you could start with only the RTLs and add monitoring and notification later as desired.
Call us at (205) 854-2611 for additional information or Email us sales@falconwireless.net. We are At your Service!
