SCADA System Reliability- 10 tips to Getting the Best Results

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Within the wireless communications industry today, there’s an urgent and serious battle being waged for customer ownership. Customer ownership is all about creating and delivering compelling value.

If you’re building out an existing SCADA system, or just getting started on one, a sure-fire way to create this value lies directly in your hands: by building in long lasting system performance and impeccable reliability.

If we set aside the radio preference for the moment, the single most important key to more reliable SCADA communication results from careful selection of antenna equipment.

Increasing Reliability Tenfold

 

Ruggedized parts, optimized assembly techniques, and specialized coatings, along with improved installation procedures can, in some cases, deliver a tenfold (10X) increase over the lifespan of traditional aluminum antennas.

Cost effective

 

The Yagi-Uda, more familiarly known as the yagi, stands out as the pre-eminent antenna-of-choice for most remote site applications.  Some SCADA systems may utilize up to 1000 Yagis pointing to an omnidirectional antenna; a highly cost-effective configuration that ensures broad geographic range at minimal cost!

 

Given the continuous exposure to the elements, though, susceptibility to damage from wind, weathering and in some cases, chemical exposure, remains high. We consider mean time between failures (MTBF) a critical economic consideration when the cost to travel to the field to replace a broken or defective antenna can easily exceed $100 an hour.  It makes real sense, then, that increasing MTBF through investment in better antenna technology can very quickly pay for itself.

In some cases, a 25% price premium for antenna equipment may extend your site’s operating life from 12- 24 months to up to 10 years, depending on the installation in question!

Selection Criteria

 

=>The antenna design, as well as the actual manufacturing process exerts the greatest influence on the long term performance and life-span of an antenna. Consequently, seek out demonstrably superior designs that incorporate sturdy materials and exhibit well-built construction.

=>Antennas manufactured with 6061 aluminum offer the best combination of strength and light weight.

=>Welded models typically provide the greatest long term performance as they remain one piece, both electrically and mechanically, under virtually all environmental conditions.  In particular, avoid ‘press-fit’ antenna designs. 

=>Pitting and corrosion occurs rather quickly with untreated aluminum, leading to rapid mechanical deterioration and electrical non-performance within as little as 2 years. Therefore, choose one with either  thermoset (powder coat) or anodizedsurface treatment; avoid those treated solely with chemical conversion coatings (Alodine).

 

 

What else to consider

 

=>In addition to antennas, pay careful attention when choosing a feeder cable. In a typical SCADA system, the cable connecting the antenna to the radio enclosure endures the same environmental conditions as the antenna. We recommend that cable for the antenna feed should match the life expectancy of the antenna.  

=>In order to maximize the overall life of the installation, use a UV resistant, low loss RG-8 type coax cable, preferably with a poly-ethylene (PE III-A) jacket, and terminated with N-type connectors. Using the wrong cable can cause huge reductions in efficiency. You cannot recover these losses with any amount of antenna gain or transmitter power.

=>Follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines, usually included with each antenna.

=>Ensure antenna stability; lightweight,unstable antenna mastsorloose, poor quality clampscan create problems.

=>Insist on application-specific weatherproofing, whether your own staff is doing the work, or it’s being done by a contractor

=>Pay attention to proper installation procedures; this contributes hugely to the overall life of the installation. 

 

Good SCADA automation can become GREAT using optimum antenna technology incorporated into the design from the start. Click here http://wavelinkantenna.com to see what great antenna options Wavelink Antenna Systems offers. Gary Tootle advises and supports wireless communications professionals throughout USA and Canada  http://www.wavelinkantenna.com/contact.php