Variable speed actuation technology ensures essential valve operation

June 20, 2007 -- An ongoing improvement program by the Landeswasserversorgung (LW) regional water supply company to provide premium quality drinking water is supported by SIPOS Aktorik variable speed actuation technology.

LW, one of the largest district organizations of its kind in Germany, supplies over 95 million cubic meters of drinking water to over 200 towns in Stuttgart. SIPOS, the established supplier of variable speed actuators, met LW's exacting brief which included supply voltage of 230/400 VAC; communication compatibility; user-friendliness; multiple options including torque control/positioning times and cost/performance ratio. Over 200 SIPOS actuators have been supplied for a range of LW projects to support the improvement scheme.

Commenting on the actuation solution supplied to LW, Dr. Rebhan, General Manager of SIPOS said:

"The absence of a startup current spike with the SIPOS solution enables use of a robust three phase asynchronous motor, even when using a single phase AC power supply to the actuator -- this was a key reason for selection of SIPOS' actuators. SIPOS installations at LW sites demonstrate that valve actuator operation can be guaranteed, even in the event of mains power supply failure.

"As power inverters for single phase AC voltage offer significant cost savings compared to three phase inverters, only single phase actuators were considered. On the basis of successful analysis and testing results, the decision was taken to adopt SIPOS' actuator products."

SIPOS report that the LW plants in the Baden-Wuerttemberg region of Germany are also an excellent example of the ability to integrate actuator and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) equipment to provide mains water system control without potentially damaging water hammer pressure surges.

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