Custom enclosures protect wireless telemetry

Fibox has been working as project partner for RDT's latest innovation - MiniNet.

Fibox has been announced as project partner for RDT's latest innovation - MiniNet.

The market leader in thermoplastic enclosures has supplied radio data and telemetry specialist RDT with solutions for the past 10 years.

Telemetry technology is rapidly growing in popularity at water utilities.

It is typically used to gather data from distant or inaccessible locations, or where data collection would be difficult, as it might be when trying to monitor reservoir levels or flow rates at pumping stations.

"Information such as water condition, temperature, flow rate and water level is collected by a network of telemetry units spread over a geographic area and sent to central receiver unit", explains RDT's Managing Director Alan Hall.

"From here the data can be transferred by a computer to a Scada package for analysis".

Hall says the main enclosure requirement for equipment of this type is weatherproofing.

"Many of these units are sited in fairly remote locations, often bolted to posts next to reservoirs".

"They must be capable of withstanding the effects of extreme weather, both rain and UV exposure".

"Rugged design is the chief reason why we, and many others in this sector, select Fibox enclosures".

"They have virtually become an industry standard".

Fibox enclosures such as its IP67-rated Solid and EK ranges are ideal for housing electronic and electrical components.

The Solid range is also available with screw and hinged covers in both polycarbonate and ABS, offering a real alternative to polyester or steel enclosures.

EK is available with flange openings providing several options to use a wide selection of accessories or connect enclosures to each other so as to form larger enclosure panels.

The water utilities have pioneered the conversion to wireless-based telemetry in recent years and, following successive privatisation, many sites are now unmanned.

Regardless of this fact, several water boards are far too remote to use a telephone network effectively.

Wireless telemetry also saves on the cost of installing and maintaining conventional data transmission systems such as cable, fibre optic or public telecommunications networks.

The simple, low maintenance, cost effective MiniNet units are housed in Fibox IP67-rated MNX enclosures.

MNX polycarbonate and ABS enclosures utilise world-class injection moulding technology.

They are designed to house and protect all kinds of electrical and electronic components in demanding applications, and feature more than 200 different variations.

"There was never any doubt MiniNet would be housed in Fibox enclosures", concludes Hall: "they have been an excellent supplier over the years, even premachining specified holes for items like cable glands and connectors, which saves enormously on double-handling".

"When all is said and done Fibox provide a first class product at a competitive price - why go elsewhere?".

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