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Eaton introduces IP based automation and communications system

Power management company Eaton has launched Simas, a fully integrated IP-based voice, data, WiFi, interlock and automation system for underground industrial applications where rugged and/or explosion proof equipment is required. Commenting on this breakthrough, Christian Fimpler, Mining Program & Product Manager for Eaton says: “Working underground presents specific challenges when it comes to implementing adequate process control and safety measures. Automation is driving the need for more reliable and high-speed data transfer across multiple pieces of plant, but also reducing the number of personnel in any subsurface area – which makes timely and accurate communication of information more important than ever. “Eaton has applied its expertise in hazardous area communications to develop an integrated system that delivers the levels of process control that mining and tunneling operations need, while upholding the highest safety principles. System designers, project engineers and end-users can choose to use any or all of the Simas integrated functions – and its modular design means it is simple to alter or extend the system as operational demands change.” Applications for Simas (Safety Integrated Mining Automation System) include coal faces, belt conveyor transportation systems, water management and machinery automation, as well as communication along underground roads. Due to its scalability, Simas could be also used for shaft applications like signaling, skip or wagon loading. Simas uses Ethernet to link the automation system components via a smart connection. This network structure and a high data transfer rate of 100 Mbit means Simas meets all requirements for automation processes of equipment such as plow and shearer faces, conveyor systems, pump stations, etc. The Simas automation control unit channels all process-specific automation processes and acts as a communication point to the mine control station. It also allows a data link to third-party systems. Integration of a safety-oriented PLC with flat screen display, function keyboard and button-entry mouse enables implementation of a control concept in line with IEC 61508. A system control panel - complete with signalling devices, LCD colour backlit display, emergency stop button with interlock and speaker with audio functions – enables manual control of operating and conveyor equipment. A range of Ex i I/O modules and periphery modules complete the automation elements of the Simas system. The emergency stop element of Simas comprises a control unit and a choice of emergency stop buttons, rope-pull switches and coupling devices. The control unit is used as a driver for up to two emergency stop lines. It displays operating and diagnostic data from the system as well as an overview of the devices connected to the emergency stop lines. The control unit is connected to all devices on the network using a specially developed system line, which routes the emergency stop circuit, the power supply and the profinet communication. A factory-set ID allows identification throughout the Simas system. Simas Wi-fi communication options include fixed point radio transmitters (with or without intercom), access points and emergency rope pull switches with integral intercom and access point. Future mobile options include mobile phones and tablets in IS housings. A proprietary App, “Simas Connect", is scheduled for development in the near future. It will enable voice connections and video conferences and address book functions, allowing both private connections and global communications. Authorizations for the mobile devices can be set on the communications server. The overall Simas system is designed for ignition protection group Atex group I M2. In addition, the emergency stop and shutdown facilities use battery backup to meet Atex group I M1 in the event of a main power supply failure. In combination with a failsafe PLC, SIMAS also meets the requirements of functional safety in line with SIL2.

CBRE Data Centre Solutions; the latest Infrastructure Masons Foundation Partner-Zahl Limbuwala joins its Advisory Council

CBRE Data Center Solutions (DCS), has today announced it has become a Foundation Partner of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons). “I’m delighted to welcome CBRE Data Center Solutions as an official Foundation Partner.” says Dean Nelson, iMasons Founder & Chairman, “we have worked closely for many years on industry awareness, Diversity & Inclusion, and Education. The DCS global team have raised over $100k for our scholarship fund. I look forward to continuing the positive change for our industry.” Additionally Zahl Limbuwala, CBRE DCS Executive Director of Strategy & Market Engagement, has joined the iMasons Advisory Council, contributing twenty years of insight and experience in the data centre market. Zahl Limbuwala states, "Our industry has led the way in many areas, and through my appointment to the iMasons Council, I am thrilled at the prospect of joining efforts to drive future innovations.  Taking experience from my own career, I am passionate about encouraging the next generation of talent to view our industry as fast-paced, with wide-ranging opportunities, and cutting edge technology." During his career Zahl has had held global key leadership roles and qualified and led teams in process automation and robotics, digital control systems design, network engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering and software engineering.  Zahl joined CBRE in 2019 as part of the Romonet acquisition. Zahl co-founded and was CEO of Romonet. Dean Nelson, continues, “I’m excited to have Zahl Limbuwala represent CBRE on the iMasons Advisory Council. He is a well-respected technologist and digital infrastructure industry leader who will add great insight." Martin Murphy, COO CBRE Data Center Solutions addS “CBRE have been working with Dean for some time and we support the great work they do for our industry and society. I’m pleased to further demonstrate our support by becoming a foundation partner as we join the iMasons vision to Connect, Grow and Give Back.” CBRE will be appointed Anchor Partner of the iMasons Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Chapter, which will be launched 2021. An iMasons Local Chapter is a geographically specific region where leaders in the Digital Infrastructure Industry can come together, to support the iMasons strategic social priorities and address key issues specific to their region.

OVHcloud lays the foundation for the next generation of private cloud

European cloud company, OVHcloud, has announced a brand-new Hosted Private Cloud range, with the release of the first product in the suite: Hosted Private Cloud Premier. The new product addresses the strategic needs of large organisations for performance, security and isolation and location of their data, while at the same time offering competitive pricing. Accessible to all OVHcloud customers around the world, Hosted Private Cloud Premier offers companies a wide range of solutions with unique advantages such as: A broader range of 7 standard hosts, complemented by 3 new hyperconverged host references that rely on VMware vSAN technology and range from 48GB to 768GB of RAM; allowing for better performance and reduced latency, ideal for critical applications NSF data stores up to 36TB, providing storage capacity at an unmatched price-performance ratio that allows professionals to confidently store data in any of the 7 data centres worldwide Private and public network access with more capacity - up to 25 Gbps to improve application performance A full range of VMware software: vCenter, vSphere version 6.7 (Enterprise Plus license), vSAN, and NSX. Hosted Private Cloud Premier also integrates VMware's vRealize Operations brick at no additional cost to facilitate access to infrastructure monitoring and capacity planning. The Hosted Private Cloud offering is based on the foundation of VMware standards and guarantees total technological reversibility Simple, competitive and predictable pricing for customers to control their budget. With 10 years of expertise in hosted private cloud solutions, OVHcloud’s new solution offers robust, scalable, and highly automated infrastructure that meets professional requirements for operating critical environments and performing intensive workloads. It also offers a wide range of certifications, addressing the needs of the financial sector, in order to comply with the PCI Security Council standards (PCIDSS), as well as the healthcare sector.  This new generation of Hosted Private Cloud is the result of a close collaboration between OVHcloud and its technology partners. It integrates multiple divisions of hardware and software: offering a choice of new components, including the latest generation of Intel CPUs. In addition, OVHcloud’s customers can benefit from the integration, managed services support and consultation of an ecosystem of 800 certified OVHcloud Partner Program partners to support them in implementing these innovative solutions. “Working with our partners, we are confident our latest Hosted Private Cloud solutions are the right choice for enterprise, SME, SaaS, public sector, fintech and other customer segments. They deliver high performance, scalability, data compliance and security with the transparent cost predictability required to succeed in these uncertain times,” explained Hiren Parekh, VP - Northern Europe, OVHcloud. “This launch paves the way for a new era of Hosted Private Cloud, as well as the diversification of virtualisation solutions. Our ambition is to provide efficient, simple and accessible solutions that allow the right balance between price, performance, security, sovereignty and predictability of costs,” commented Michel Paulin, CEO of OVHcloud.

Riello UPS’s Sentryum passes airport test with flying colours

Riello UPS’s Sentryum range of uninterruptible power supplies is flying high by helping to protect critical equipment at Belfast International Airport (BIA).     A 15 kVA version of the uninterruptible power supply manufacturer’s new transformerless series has been installed in the airport’s main IT communications room to upgrade an ageing 10 kVA unit.  Chris McGarry, IT Manager for Belfast International Airport, explains: “One of our main IT UPS systems was coming to the end of its lifecycle and needed to be replaced.  “The UPS in question supports critical IT infrastructure at the airport. Whilst we have many redundant systems in place, it is very important all our UPS systems are fully-functional to avoid any power loss and possible disruption to the airport’s IT systems.” The airport turned to a long-standing local supplier to carry out the UPS replacement, Belfast-based electrical company Ashdale Engineering Ltd. McGarry continues: “We have been working with Ashdale Engineering Ltd for more than 20 years. They have supplied and maintained UPS systems at the airport and have always provided us with a reliable and competitive service.” Ashdale Engineering Ltd is a certified Riello UPS reseller and service partner. It has worked with the manufacturer on several projects, including the £100 million Titanic Exhibition Centre in 2012, which involved installing 12 UPS systems to provide 35 kW of power protection.  The airport was reassured with the choice of equipment manufacturer for the upgrade, with McGarry explaining: “We already have several Riello UPS systems onsite and are satisfied with their reliability and features. We monitor them over IP and found the NetMan 204 communications card very easy to install and set up.” Colin Simms, Operations Director for Ashdale Engineering Ltd, comments: “Riello UPS’s new transformerless range the Sentryum was the ideal replacement for the existing UPS system.  “In this case, we supplied a 15 kVA single-phase input and output UPS with internal batteries providing a runtime of five minutes.” Delivering unity power (kVA = kW) and exceptional efficiency of up to 96.5%, the Sentryum is available in 10, 15, and 20 kVA versions. One of its major benefits is the choice of three different cabinet sizes to offer end-users flexibility depending on their available floorspace and desired battery runtime.  The smallest Sentryum cabinet – Compact (CPT) – was chosen for the airport upgrade, with its dimensions of just 28cm wide by 70cm high by 84cm deep, ensuring the installation took up the minimum amount of space in the IT room.  The UPS changeover took place with minimal disruption too. McGarry concluded: “We’re very pleased with the project. As much work as possible was done during normal hours with final connections made out of hours at a time that suited the airport, resulting in the least downtime possible.”

Event information: BAPCO Annual Conference and Exhibition

With the rapid evolution of technologies, and the constant shift of policy and challenging requirements of users, BAPCO 2019 will allow attendees to stay abreast of the issues that affect them. For the very first time it will take place in conjunction with TCCA's Critical Communications Europe, (CC Europe). Attendees will be able to gain knowledge of the latest technology from more than 100 leading suppliers, learn how the rapid advancement in communications could enhance capability and improve efficiency within your organisation. Attendees will be able to improve understanding of new developments by attending conference sessions led by industry professionals. It is a crucial event for everyone that is involved in critical communications and public safety solutions, the event will provide an unrivalled opportunity for all those involved in the sector to come together in the UK to network, learn and discuss. The event will take place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK from the 12-13 March 2019.