The DurACentre 4+8 System
The durAcentre4+8 system is a bespoke control system for major CP installations put together using a range of standard CPI/Force modules. The basic component of the system is the durAcentre4+8 card that can control 4 anode zones (4 outputs) and has 8 voltage inputs. Each adurAcentre4+8 card within the system has an individual address and 200 addresses are available. Hence the system can have up to 200 cards controlling 800 anode zones with a total of 1600 half cell inputs. Where there is a large number of durAcentre4+8 cards involved they will typically be distributed around the structure. They will all communicate with a Central Control Unit (CCU) which can be operated remotely or directly.
The Central Control Unit
The CCU comprises:
- A beige/sand RAL 1015 coated IP66 aluminium cabinet 48cm high x 57cm wide x13cm deep. It has hinged doors that can be lifted off to prevent swinging in the wind and that are fitted with an Abloy type lock. There is no internal swing frame.
- 6sq mm input terminal for the 110-240V 50-60Hz power input.
- A PLC running pre-installed dedicated durAcentre software and with a colour 800×600 LCD screen. This connects to the durAcentre4+8 cards within the CCU and the remote stations using a RS485 module using one twisted pair wire.
- A user specified modem (usually wireless router, SIM card enabled) for remote connection.
- 48V power supply to feed the duraAcentre4+8 cards
- Hub to allow branch and serial connections
- Repeater and galvanic isolation
DurACentre 4+8 Cards
The durAcentre4+8 cards have the following features
- The durAcentre4+8 card is a compact and simple to operate power supply. The cards have been designed for automatic operation and have 4 No outputs (0 -10 volts and 0 – 2 amps) and 8 No reference electrode inputs. Each output has a resolution of 1 mV and 0.1 mA. Each input has a resolution of 1mV and 10 ohms (for impedance measurements). It is controlled by and data is stored on the PLC.
- Each durAcenter4+8 can be individually contacted by directly connecting a laptop to it or it can be contacted and controlled by the central control unit.
- Depending on the system these units are powered by an external power supply of between 24 and 48 volts DC.