IMO i3 controller improves remote irrigation system.

When an Australian vineyard owner wanted to upgrade his irrigation control system and diagnostics from a conventional controller, he turned to IMO PC.

After discussion it was decided that the i3C intelligent controller from IMO was the most suitable and cost effective solution as it reduces both equipment costs, and the time for integrating discrete PLC and HMI combinations.

The i3C offers users a larger colour display, a faster scan rate and a wider operating temperature. Based upon the i3 controller architecture, the new i3C features a 5.7” TFT colour touch screen with 32,000 colours, a faster 0.2ms/K scan rate and has the same built-in I/O options and uses the same communications options the other i3 controllers.

It also offers three Serial ports (USB programming port plus 2 RS- 232/485 serial ports and a unique on-board MicroSD™ memory for data logging and upgrading programs.

The i3C was installed directly on the control panel door in the irrigation control house, where it controlled and monitored two irrigation zones, and the fertilization system.

Each irrigation zone has four and two inverter drives respectively, the i3 displays the run status, system pressure and flow, and any active or historical drive faults. Pressure set points were written to the master VSD in each zone as well as timer, counter and flow variables.

The i3 controls the two drives used for fertilizer dosing, and all drives are controlled using the inbuilt Ethernet port over Modbus TCP. The i3 ensures the set point system pressure is always maintained and all drives information (current, frequency, voltage and health) can be viewed and logged.

According to the Technical Director of the local integrator, “Commissioning of the vineyard irrigation solution was very easily achieved with the i3C from IMO, and day to day operation is now considerably easier”

Go here for the range of I3 controllers