RIVERMASTER
The RIVERMASTER is Control Electronics main control product. The RIVERMASTER has been designed to be an electronic governor replacement for aging mechanical and analogue governors of hydro electric power stations. It also has been adapted to include not only the governing functions but many of the auxiliary power station functions such as hydraulic power unit controls, main inlet valves as well as start up and shutdown sequencing.
Features
Large graphical colour screen
All digital inputs are isolated with opto-couplers
All digital outputs are isolated with relays or transistor switches
All analogue inputs are isolated with analogue isolator modules
Built in test facilities for commissioning and future maintenance
Feed forward control
Remote setpoints for speed, power, level and droop
Isochronous operation with selectable auto detection of a small network
Gate limiter
Dual speed inputs and separate bus frequency input
Creep detection when using proximity probes
Remote / Local operation
Lockout facility for maintenance
Hydraulic Pump control
Selectable brake operation
Password protected security
Historic alarms display
Two independent Modbus ports
Program uploads and downloads from a P.C.
- PLC overspeed protection
- Independent safety circuit
- Bumpless transfer between operating modes
- Lock out facility from front panel
Advantages
User Visibility
The RIVERMASTER governor is based on a design philosophy of making it easy to maintain and understand for the end user. All components utilized within the governor are off the shelf items readily available around the world. The application code is programmed in the standard PLC languages of IEC 61131-3 that is readily available. The application programming is visible to the user if ever required for fault finding and maintenance. This approach removes the large periods of downtime which can occur when sending components back to the OEM for repair.
Reliable
The RIVERMASTER governor is designed and built by Control Electronics Ltd and has now been installed in 34 stations with over 800 000 hours of trouble free running.
Fail safe
Protection of the turbine is of paramount importance and as such the RIVERMASTER governor includes an independent protection circuit which is hardwired and shuts down the machine by removing power to the proportional servo valve and shutdown valve. These return to the failsafe position in the event of a PLC failure or an over speed event. Overspeed is detected by two separate and independent speed sensors.
Responsive
The RIVERMASTER governor is very responsive, with a PLC cycle time of less than 1 mS. This enables Proportional, Integral and derivative (PID) control algorithms to run at high speed ensuring that the governor can respond quickly to frequency changes and maintain control. Different PID values are used through different stages of control which ensures greater accuracy and response times.
Remote Control
The RIVERMASTER governor is accessible from its Ethernet port via Modbus/TCP. All variables required for remote access are made available so the remote SCADA has the required visibility and control to operate the turbine without a local operator.
Local tuning
A Local colour touchscreen is part of the RIVERMASTER governor giving greater information to the user. It also incorporates all the tuning and configurable values (password protected) where they can be changed and tuned as required without access into the PLC giving greater control of the operation of the governor to the end user.
Customised
Due to the RIVERMASTER governor being based on a PLC it is easily customised at minimum time and cost to include additional aspects of operation, including isochronous operation, synchronous condensing or even pump mode resulting in a final governor that is based on the end user requirements.
Ease to repair
The RIVERMASTER governor is of modular design, with Power Supply, CPU, Input and Output modules all being easily replaced without replacing the whole system. Additionally, all other components such as the speed transmitters and frequency transmitters are easily replaced. This minimizes potential machine downtime. All Analogue and Digital Inputs are isolated as well as digital outputs. This also ensures that the modules are protected and in the event of a failure only a lower cost component needs to be replaced rather than the whole module.
