Supervisor
New TraceTek Software Creates PC-Based Leak Detection
Alarm System
TraceTek Supervisor can manage over one million feet of
sensor cable from a single Windows NT/95/98 desktop or
laptop
The
new TraceTek Supervisor is a Windows NT/95/98 software
application that runs on either a desktop or laptop PC
and manages a network of up to 124 of the company's new
TraceTek TTSIM sensor interface modules per communications
port. Each TTSIM unit can monitor upwards of three to 1,500
metres (5,000 feet) of TraceTek sensor cable, or a mixture
of sensor and AquiTron™ probes.
"The launch of TraceTek Supervisor marks another
step in Tyco Thermal Controls' ongoing commitment to expand
its wide range of commercial and industrial leak detection
solutions," says Ken McCoy, general manager, TraceTek. "It
offers users the option of a graphical interface for the
TraceTek leak detection system using either the recently
enhanced TTDM-PLUS alarm and control panel or TTSIM sensor
interface units."
Variety of Interfaces
TTDM-PLUS panels and TTSIM units up to 4,000 feet away
can be connected to the PC via standard twisted pair
communications wire. Longer separation distances, optical
fibre links, or wireless links can be achieved using
industry standard equipment.
"On the PC, the user sees a live graphical representation
of the face panel of any TTDM-PLUS alarm module connected
to the system, as well as a real-time display of all current
sensor cable parameters," McCoy says. "As many
as 32 panels can be monitored, and each panel can manage
a sub-network of up to 32 sensor cable channels. Alternatively,
instead of connecting to the TTDM-PLUS, the user can interface
directly to as many as 124 TTSIM units per communications
port. So it is possible to handle hundreds of individual
leak detection circuits from a single supervisory location."
Variety of Options
The TraceTek Supervisor software can also easily handle
hybrid systems consisting of a combination of TTDM-PLUS
units-with or without sub-networks-and directly connected
TTSIM units. A Windows Explorer-type navigation panel
displaying colour-coded icons and user-programmable labels
allows the operator to quickly select and navigate between
the various sensor circuits. In addition to the display
of current status and cable conditions, the user can
control the unit measure and set the sensitivity of each
sensor cable circuit on an individual basis.
A separate display option provides a tabular summary of
all active, acknowledged, cleared or reset alarms. All
sensor cable events and user actions are data-logged and
also available for display. The user can filter events
and alarms for a given channel or sub-system, or optionally
choose to display alarms and events at a system-wide level.
A report option uses the standard Windows interface to
generate reports to any attached printer.
Access Maps, Manuals and Procedures
Graphical site maps, site-specific response procedures,
user manuals, in fact anything stored on the PC's hard
disk can easily be associated with any sensor channel
on display, and called up at the click of a mouse. "For
example, if a leak is detected by one of the TTSIM units,
the user can click to see an AutoCAD drawing showing
the location of that section of sensor cable; then click
to read a Word document that lists emergency notification
contacts; and, with another mouse-click, read a .pdf
file showing operator manuals of the equipment close
to the source of the detected leak," McCoy explains. "Future,
planned software releases will add options for pager
notification, remote access via Intranet or internet
and data feeds to other buildings or factory automation
systems."
