RemoteLog Applications

RemoteLog Reports Electric Power Demand

RemoteLog Tracks and Reports Chemical Usage

RemoteLog Automates Remote Building Monitoring

RemoteLog Prevents Expensive Compressor or Pump Failures

RemoteLog Replaces Chart Recorders

Data Server Software Interfaces to Your Database

RemoteLog Reports Electric Power Demand

The electric power industry is adopting RemoteLog as the ideal way to monitor power demand at remote customer sites. Such monitoring is frequently used as a means to offer incentives designed to reduce the burden on the power grid during periods of peak usage. This low cost RTU counts pulses generated by the existing power meters and logs the accumulated power usage in time-stamped data records which are reported in real-time or "near real-time" to the utilities’ central data server.

Utilities using RemoteLog embrace the unique SIXNET concept of reporting data over the Internet. This low-cost interface eliminates the monetary and logistics problems of connecting to a large number of remote client sites. Each RemoteLog, acting as an Internet client, reports transactions to the central server as simple Internet (TCP/IP) data packets. The utilities no longer need to maintain "modem farms", and the responsibility of maintaining a cheap Internet connection is readily accepted by customers who are eager to benefit from energy conservation programs.

Of course it is also possible to poll the RemoteLog stations or have them report on exception through any number of classical means (telephone, wireless, etc.) as either a master or slave on a distributed SCADA network. In addition to counting meter pulses, some utilities offer value-added data services to their customers using the analog inputs that are standard on every RemoteLog. As a fully-featured datalogger, RemoteLog can be configured to store weeks of such data in permanent Flash memory.

RemoteLog Tracks and Reports Chemical Usage

Chemical companies often distinguish their product offerings from the competition by providing value-added services to customers. RemoteLogs are used to monitor chemical usage and important process variables which help their customers realize more value from the chemicals they buy. The optional datalogging modes of RemoteLog record operating conditions which forms the basis for valuable reports and analysis provided to the customer. Alarm detection in the RemoteLog signals unfavorable conditions before serious problems occur, making it unnecessary to have personnel visit the site on a regular basis.

RemoteLog also monitors customer tank levels and will automatically reorder chemical inventory when needed. This vendor- managed inventory function gives chemical companies yet another way to add value for their customers while again reducing operating expenses by eliminating expensive site visits to check inventory. At the same time, lower delivery costs are realized as a result of the improved logistics.

Currently, much attention is being placed on direct Internet connections and wireless interfaces to sites that are difficult to reach using conventional communications means. SIXNET addresses this by offering a diverse range of communications options with the RemoteLog which simplifies the logistics for the major chemical companies that use SIXNET RTUs.

RemoteLog Automates Remote Building Monitoring

It’s important to know that your building automation systems are running smoothly, but it is costly and difficult to have someone on-site all the time. RemoteLog will monitor key performance indicators for you and report status and alarm conditions to your central monitoring facility. In effect, RemoteLog is a tireless 24 hour-a-day watchman.

RemoteLog is ideal for watching HVAC systems, monitoring the health of critical equipment, overseeing security, and a multitude of other tasks. Broadband networks are bringing Internet-connected Ethernet directly to homes, offices and industrial complexes. Ethernet-enabled RemoteLogs are connected directly to a building's existing network as Internet clients. These pseudo-web browsers deliver real-time information to the central server with zero marginal communication cost. Because they are acting as clients, RemoteLogs use local or "borrowed" IP addresses; sparing the expense of attaining static IP addresses for each location. And as clients, RemoteLog data easily passes through firewall protection hardware.

Building automation applications for RemoteLog are springing up everywhere. Apartment complex (multi-family residences) buildings, remote wireless telephone repeaters, greenhouses and other agricultural applications, pumping stations, and security systems are just a few of the places that RemoteLog can save you money and give you real-time information flow.

RemoteLog Prevents Expensive Compressor or Pump Failures

RemoteLog makes it possible to avoid expensive compressor or pump failure with effective preventive maintenance. By enabling you to monitor their operation remotely, the expense of frequent on-site inspections is eliminated.

4-20 mA signals representing operating parameters and switch closures (indicating machine status) will directly connect to RemoteLog. All process variables are logged in time-stamped historical trend files. Critical temperatures are measured by thermocouples, which are connected to a SIXNET RM-8INS-U instrumentation input module. That module is connected to the I/O expansion port on the RemoteLog.

RemoteLog automatically checks for preset alarm conditions. Additional datalog records can be stored for each alarm condition, which creates a traceable sequence of events or "first out" trace of the original cause of failure. Any or all of the alarm conditions can trigger a "report by exception" to alert you to the abnormal operating conditions, enabling you to take action before expensive damage and the resulting down-time can occur.

Of course, the full spectrum of RemoteLog communications options make it possible to monitor all your compressors, no matter where they may be located. Telephone, wireless, and Ethernet connections may be used at each location, as the situation requires. RemoteLog compressor monitors are cost effective tools for the owners and operators of compressors and large pumps of any kind. They are also an excellent value-added feature that enables equipment OEMs to distinguish their products with a capability that has great value to their customers.

RemoteLog Replaces Chart Recorders

Functions as a modern low cost remote datalogger

Install RemoteLog dataloggers on the plant floor to replace your obsolete chart recorders and manual record keeping systems with a reliable and automated system. RemoteLog logs process variables (analog values), machine states (discrete inputs) and counter values in time stamped records, safely stored in Flash memory. Eliminate the frequent visits to the plant floor to collect the data by connecting the RemoteLogs to an Ethernet network. Sixlog data server software running on a Windows computer collects the time stamped data records and archives them in files that are organized by location and date. (More details on this easy-to-use software are given below.)

RemoteLog protects your data by retaining a backup file in its Flash memory. Should you lose your communications link or if the archiving computer goes offline, data can be retrieved later from the RemoteLog memory. Sixlog data is stored in standard database format which opens a world of possibilities for data sharing to make your processes more effective and save you time.

RemoteLog also has a built in alarm detection and reporting capability that can alert you to out of tolerance or fault conditions as soon as they occur. In more advanced applications, RemoteLog can report real-time results to a SCADA system through industry standard Modbus messaging.

Data Server Software Interfaces to Your Database

Gather the plant floor data collected by distributed RemoteLog stations and archive it in a Windows-based computer or load it directly into your central database. The Datalog Server software (supplied with the optional Datalogging feature set of the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit) receives time stamped data transactions from RemoteLog and VersaTRAK RTUs through the Internet, an in-plant Ethernet network, or a modem, and passes it to your data storage system. There are two common ways to use this versatile software:

For data archiving systems, log files are automatically created to store the historical data. Organized by location and date, you can easily view the data with Microsoft Excel or any other software that can read a text file. This simple and low cost solution will replace your legacy chart recorders with a modern computer solution.

This server software will also format the received data for upload to your central database. Data is stored until your system, acting as the master, retrieves it. The source code for the server interface is supplied, to give you full control over the interface. If you are using an operating system other than Windows, or if you have special requirements, this open-source interface can be easily ported to meet your requirements. Contact SIXNET for more information.