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Home > Application Examples

Networked Data Acquisition and Control.

This page outlines in greater detail our application examples.

If you have any questions about these examples, or would like help with your application, please call (800-420-3991), or email us at Sales@OpenNetInstruments.com .
Index
* Wine Cellar Monitor
* Freezer (Cooler) Monitor
* Greenhouse Monitor
* Building Monitor
* Using Your Acquired Data (Importing XML Data)

In general, the following steps are followed to create applications using the OpenNet-1000 unit. The OpenNet-1000 can control up to eight separate control loops, or four separate temperature (heating and cooling) zones, email alarming on any or all inputs and outputs, web page hosting of control points and data logging.

  1. Determine your control needs, which may include:
    • Number of control loops or zones: Heating, cooling, pressure, flow, humidity.
    • Number and type of control signals needed: 24 VDC, 24 VAC, 120 VAC, 5 VDC.
    • Control set points.
    • Alarm points.
    • Data storage rate.
  2. Select your sensor(s) and control signal conditioners.
  3. Calculate the scale and offset values.
  4. Select the channel(s) to be used and connect the sensors and controls the the OpenNet-1000.
  5. Use the OpenNet Configuration Software to create the application and download the configuration to the OpenNet-1000.
  6. Use your acquired data.
    Because we are using XML (Extensible Markup Language) for communications, your acquired data is accessible using software and applications that you undoubtedly already have on your PC. These applications include browsers (Internet Explorer and Netscape), spreadsheets (Excel and QuattroPro) and databases (Access, SQL, Oracle).

Follow this link to an Excel (2000 or 2002) spreadsheet that directly imports XML (Extensible Markup Language) data from an OpenNet-1000 unit. This spreadsheet works best if downloaded and launched from your PC. Sample Excel Download.

Wine Cellar Climate Controller.
This is an example application for a wine cellar climate controller / monitor application. This configuration file sets up an OpenNet-1000 to control three (3) loops (heating, cooling, humidity) using an integrated humidity / temperature transmitter on Analog Channels 1 and 2. Digital Channels 1, 2 and 3 are used to create control demand for heating, cooling and humidity. Email alarms are sent if the temperature rises above 60 oF, drops below 38 oF, humidity drops below 55 %RH (Relative Humidity), or if power has been interrupted to the OpenNet-1000 unit.

  1. This temperature and humidity control application has the following requirements:
    • We need three (3) control loops. One each for heating, cooling and humidity control.
    • Our temperature and humidity controls will accept 5 VDC inputs. These signals can be supplied directly by the OpenNet-1000 without the need for signal conditioning.
    • Our temperature range is 40 to 90 oF.
      The humidity range is 0 to 100 %RH (Relative Humidity).
    • We will generate email alarms if:
      1. The temperature drops below 38 oF.
      2. The temperature exceeds 60 oF.
      3. The humidity drops below 55 %RH.
      4. Power is interrupted to the OpenNet-1000.
    • Our data logging rate is twice per day, or every 12 hours (43,200 msec).
  2. For our humidity and temperature sensors we selected ACI's RH Series Sensor (Partnumber ACI/TT1K-RH3-R) which combines a humidity sensor with a temperature sensor and transmits the signal as two separate 4- 20 ma current loops. ACI (Automated Components Inc) is located at www.workaci.com.
  3. Calculate the scale and offset values.
    Our humidity sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 0 to 100 %RH.
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of RH units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Humidity Channel Scale Factor: (100 - 0 ) / (20 - 4) = 100 / 16 = 6.25
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 0 %RH. Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA by the scale factor.
      Humidity Channel Offset: 0 / 6.25 = 0
    Our temperature sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 40 to 90 oF.
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of temperature units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Temperature Channel Scale Factor: (90 - 40) / (20 - 4) = 50 / 16 = 3.125
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 40 oF . Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA, by the scale factor.
      Temperature Channel Offset: 40 / 3.125 = 12.8
  4. We will use the following channels: Analog Channels 1 and 2, Digital Channels 1 and 2, and the 24 VDC output.
  5. The following link is to the Configuration file developed for this application. Download and open it with the OpenNet Configuration Software to review the application. Configuration File.
  6. Sample Excel Download. This is a link to an Excel (2000 or 2002) spreadsheet that directly imports XML data from an OpenNet-1000 unit. This spreadsheet works best if downloaded and launched from your PC.

Freezer / Cooler Monitor. This is an example application for a freezer / cooler monitor application. This configuration file sets up an OpenNet-1000 to monitor four freezer (coolers) using RTD temperature sensors on Analog Channels 1, 3, 5 and 7. (Note: An RTD is a resistive device that needs two input channels). Email alarms are sent if the temperature rises above 50 oF, or if power has been interrupted to the monitor.

  1. This temperature monitoring application has the following requirements:
    • We need four (4) sensor devices. One for each of the freezers (coolers) we are monitoring.
    • There are no control signals required.
    • The temperature range is -40 to 55 oF.
    • We will generate email alarms if:
      1. The temperature of any freezer (cooler) rises above 50 oF.
      2. The power has been interrupted to the OpenNet-1000.
    • Our data logging rate is twice per day, or every 12 hours (43,200 msec).
  2. For our temperature sensors we selected simple 3-wire RTDs (Resistive Temperature Devices), alpha coefficient of 385, 1000 ohms at 0 oC.
  3. No scale or offset values are needed for RTDs.
  4. We are using all eight Analog Channels, two per RTD.
  5. The following link is to the Configuration file developed for this application. Download and open it with the OpenNet Configuration Software to review the application. Configuration File.
  6. Sample Excel Download. This is a link to an Excel (2000 or 2002) spreadsheet that directly imports XML data from an OpenNet-1000 unit. This spreadsheet works best if downloaded and launched from your PC.

Greenhouse Monitor. This is an example application for a greenhouse climate control and monitoring application. This configuration file sets up an OpenNet-1000 to control temperature (heating and cooling) and humidity for two separate zones in a greenhouse.

  1. This temperature and humidity monitoring application has the following requirements:
    • We need six (6) control loops. Two each for heating, cooling and humidity control.
    • We need two (2) current loops inputs for the pH sensors.
    • Our control units will accept 5 VDC inputs. These signals can be supplied directly by the OpenNet-1000 without the need for signal conditioning.
    • Our temperature range is 30 to 150 oF. The humidity range is 0 to 100 %RH.
    • We will generate email alarms if:
      1. The temperature drops below 38 oF.
      2. The temperature exceeds 100 oF.
      3. The humidity drops below 20 %RH (Relative Humidity).
      4. The power has been interrupted to the OpenNet-1000.
    • Our data logging rate is twice per day, or every 12 hours (43,200 msec).
  2. For our humidity and temperature sensors we selected ACI's RH Series Sensor (Partnumber ACI/TT1K-RH3-R) which combines a humidity sensor with a temperature sensor. ACI (Automated Components Inc) is located at www.workaci.com.
  3. Calculate the scale and offset values.
    Our humidity sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 0 to 100 %RH (Relative Humidity).
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of RH units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Humidity Channel Scale Factor: (100 - 0 ) / (20 - 4) = 100 / 16 = 6.25
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 0 %RH. Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA by the scale factor.
      Humidity Channel Offset: 0 / 6.25 = 0
    Our temperature sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 0 to 150 oF.
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of temperature units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Temperature Channel Scale Factor: (150 - 0) / (20 - 4) = 150 / 16 = 9.375
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 0 oF. Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA, by the scale factor.
      Temperature Channel Offset: 0 / 7.5 = 0
  4. We will use the following channels: Analog Channels 1 through 4; Digital Channels 1 through 4; and the 24 VDC output.
  5. The following link is to the Configuration file developed for this application. Download and open it with the OpenNet Configuration Software to review the application. Configuration File.
  6. Sample Excel Download. This is a link to an Excel (2000 or 2002) spreadsheet that directly imports XML data from an OpenNet-1000 unit. This spreadsheet works best if downloaded and launched from your PC.

Building Monitor. This is an example application for an building monitor application. This configuration file sets up an OpenNet-1000 to monitor a series of sensors commonly used to monitor an building or office. These sensors include: temperature sensors, magnetic reed switches, and motion sensors that have a relay output. Email alarms are sent if the temperature raises above 100 oF, falls below 40 oF, if the reed switch changes state (a door or window is opened), if the motion detector is active, or if power has been interrupted to the OpenNet-1000. Configuration File.

  1. This temperature and humidity monitoring application has the following requirements:
    • We need two (2) analog inputs. One for temperature and the second for the motion sensor.
    • We need two (2) digital inputs. One for each reed switch (door sensor).
    • Our temperature range is 0 to 150 oF.
      The humidity range is 60 to 80 %RH.
    • We will generate email alarms if:
      1. The temperature drops below 38 oF.
      2. The temperature exceeds 60 oF.
      3. The humidity drops below 55 %RH (Relative Humidity).
    • Our data logging rate is twice per day, or every 12 hours (43,200 msec).
  2. For our humidity and temperature sensors we selected ACI's RH Series Sensor (Partnumber ACI/TT1K-RH3-R) which combines a humidity sensor with a temperature sensor. ACI (Automated Components Inc) is located at www.workaci.com.
  3. Calculate the scale and offset values.
    Our humidity sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 0 to 100 %RH (Relative Humidity).
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of RH units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Humidity Channel Scale Factor: (100 - 0 ) / (20 - 4) = 100 / 16 = 6.25
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 0 %RH. Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA by the scale factor.
      Humidity Channel Offset: 0 / 6.25 = 0
    Our temperature sensor provides a 4- 20 mA signal spanning 40 to 90 oF.
    • The scaling factor is the measured units represented by the current loop. Thus we divide the number of temperature units measured between 4 and 20 mA.
      Temperature Channel Scale Factor: (150 - 0) / (20 - 4) = 150 / 16 = 9.375
    • The offset is the number of units represented by 4 mA, in this case 40 oF . Thus we divide the value of the low end of the span, the value of 4 mA, by the scale factor.
      Temperature Channel Offset: 0 / 3.125 = 0
  4. We will use the following channels: Analog Channels 1 and 2; Digital Channels 1 and 2; and the 24 VDC output.
  5. The following link is to the Configuration file developed for this application. Download and open it with the OpenNet Configuration Software to review the application. Configuration File.
  6. Sample Excel Download. This is a link to an Excel (2000 or 2002) spreadsheet that directly imports XML data from an OpenNet-1000 unit. This spreadsheet works best if downloaded and launched from your PC.

 

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