CORE Compatibility: Understanding Your Compressed Air System Integration
This article provides essential information regarding the compatibility of the CORE system with your existing compressed air infrastructure, including specific air compressor assets. While CORE offers broad applicability, certain configurations are outside its intended scope. This guide will help you determine if your setup is an ideal match.
Compressed Air System / Compressor Station Compatibility
CORE is engineered for single-location, single compressor station environments, supporting systems with 0 to 16 bar operating pressure. It's designed for supply-side monitoring and control, focusing on the generation and treatment of compressed air.
A primary function of CORE is to maintain stable system pressure. It achieves this by utilizing an electronic pressure sensor and a pressure-based control algorithm. For optimal performance and to prevent erratic fluctuations that could impact control integrity, CORE requires a stable pressure reference source.
Air Compressor Asset Compatibility
CORE is compatible with single-stage or multi-stage, positive displacement, rotary air compressors, including both Variable Speed Drive (VSD) and Fixed Speed units, across any brand mix.
Mandatory Status Signals:
For CORE to interface correctly, each air compressor asset must provide the following control status signals:
- Available
- Ready
- Run
- Load
CORE's interfacing modules also support monitoring of an Alarm status, though this is optional and does not affect core control operations.
For detailed instructions on obtaining these required statuses, please refer to our dedicated article: [WORK IN PROGRESS - Link Here].
Interfacing Modules:
Each air compressor asset requires one of our dedicated interfacing modules:
- LINK+ for fixed speed compressors.
- DRIVE+ for VSD compressors.
- Alternatively, direct connection via Airbus485 to compatible asset electronic controllers is supported. No other direct bus communication protocols are currently supported. Consult your compressor manual or supplier to verify Airbus485 compatibility, or contact your local sales representative for assistance.
Variable Speed Drive (VSD) Assets
The DRIVE+ module integrates with VSD compressors that use 4-20mA or voltage-based pressure sensors. CORE controls these assets by routing the VSD's pressure sensor signal through an UltraSync Fast Switch. This is the exclusive control mechanism; DRIVE+ does not support bus-based communication control features for VSDs, with the sole exception of direct Airbus485 connections as noted above.
DRIVE+ is compatible with VSD air compressors featuring local control based on outlet pressure or internal pressure-based control strategies. Please note, multi-stage compressors with interdependent stage safety features are not compatible with DRIVE+.
Fixed Speed Assets
The LINK+ module controls fixed speed compressors by activating the air compressor controller's digital input functions, specifically 'Remote Load Enable' and 'Remote Unload/Load'. For older compressor models lacking these digital inputs, control via a pressure switch is also supported. Therefore, 'Remote LOAD' and 'Remote LOAD Enable' features are generally necessary for our interconnect devices, unless a pressure switch is utilized.
Beyond CORE: Scalable Solutions with AIRMATICS
If your requirements extend beyond a single pressure location, involve diverse air compressor technologies, or demand multi-location air compressor orchestration, AIRMATICS offers a scalable solution for multi-site 'zone control', system balancing, and deep supply and demand side data insights. create a support ticket with us, email metacentre@cmcnv.com, or reach out to your local sales representative for further assistance. We are happy to help optimize your compressed air network.
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