Condition monitoring

The i2O system includes technology for monitoring the condition and performance of the flow meter and PRV. Not only does the i2O system rely on these pieces of equipment to operate but any failure can cause serious damage to the network and disruption to customers.

PRV filters

All PRVs, whether they are being used for basic pressure management or Advanced Pressure Management, must have a filter in the pilot valve bypass loop. However, this filter occasionally blocks, causing the PRV to open fully which may subject the network to unacceptably high pressures. i2O has developed a system to monitor the differential pressure across this filter which gives an early warning if it is starting to become blocked. This gives a service engineer sufficient time to get to site to unblock the filter before it can cause any damage.

PRV operating range

Where possible, the i2O system will stop the PRV from operating outside its normal range. This prevents problems such as low flow instability or cavitation which could lead to damage of the PRV.

PRV performance

If a PRV is no longer functioning correctly due to internal damage, blockage or other problems, the i2O system detects this and sends out an alarm. This can then be acted on promptly by a service engineer.

Periodic fast logging of P1 and P2 can also pick up degradation in PRV performance and provide an early warning of failure.

Flow meter

The i2O system takes its primary flow measurement from the flow meter installed at the inlet to the DMA. A serious under or over reading would lead to water being supplied to the DMA at an incorrect pressure which would be unacceptable. In order to avoid this, the flow is also measured independently at the PRV. The two values are compared and if the difference is too big, the system goes into safe mode until the problem is resolved. The controller can also detect erratic or erroneous readings. If these readings are infrequent, the controller ignores them when determining P2. If they become too frequent, the system also goes into safe mode.