Siemens makes home automation simple but powerful with LOGO!
To expand the concept of flexible and cost-effective building automation into the home environment Siemens showcased its LOGO! automation solution at the recent Building Symposium held at Gallagher Estate.
Siemens Industry Automation and Drive Technologies division’s Josef Ploch says that while the LOGO! automation system is well established in larger industrial and building sites such as shopping centres and office blocks, its full potential for home use in South Africa has yet to be exploited.
“LOGO! PLCs are an efficient, reliable and effective method of controlling mechanical and electrical equipment automatically in such a way that substantial energy savings are realised,” says Ploch. “LOGO! also incorporates a number of useful security features, including an internal clock, which eliminates the need for users to adjust individual timers and ensures it remains unaffected by power outages.”
With more than 1500 units sold in South Africa and over 400 000 sold worldwide each year, Ploch adds that LOGO! building automation enhances energy savings, comfort, convenience, and security.
“It can control more or less everything in the house, including indoor and outdoor lighting, geyser timing, garden irrigation, automatic gates, as well as swimming pool motors and pumps,” he says. “Easily and freely programmable, LOGO! works with all the different individual controllers that do not otherwise talk to each other, so one can combine geyser on/off settings with temperature measurement for example, or integrate other instruments like pressure or light sensors.”
LOGO! was first released in 1996 by Siemens as an alternative to relays, timers and counters, designed to replace auxiliary contacts, reduces writing efforts and bring flexibility to the lowest level of automation as it is easily programmable using a software tool.
The controller uses a small display which is a very effective HMI, showing operating instructions, process variables, error messages or service information without adding additional text displays or operator panels. LOGO! has digital I/Os and some analog inputs, is expandable, and with communication modules can be connected to larger systems.
According to Ploch, LOGO! can be connected to the home’s main electricity board by a specialist installer, who will develop and include a simple programme to take care of the basics of home automation. LOGO! reduces the hurdles associated with changing from conventional control cabinets to PLC controlled systems that typically require well trained engineers and technicians, and because of its ease of use, home owners can develop their own programmes later on and make as many adjustments to the systems as they wish.
“In response to our exhibition objectives we would welcome enquiries from installers and system integrators who are keen to exploit the substantial opportunities available for home automation applications,” concludes Ploch.
Development of motor control units for automotive industry Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
SEDEMAC has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, which is used in the development of its motor control units and engine control units. The motor control units are used in EVs, hybrids, ebikes and power tools, while the engine control units are used for off-road and on-road engines.
Read more...Sustainable last-mile delivery electric trucks Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Workhorse Group, an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last-mile delivery.
Read more...ABB updates distributed control system ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange.
Read more...Chocolate manufacturing with Siemens Xcelerator Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Freybadi, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in Indonesia and a trusted supplier of chocolate in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regions, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to optimise its manufacturing and production processes.
Read more...Four ways modern operations control can boost sustainability and efficiency
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With the growing importance of digital transformation, HMIs and scada have evolved from control panels to vast operational hubs. Next-gen HMI/scada can bring together data, personalisation, and advanced insights to successfully achieve organisational goals, it is important to think about HMI/scada holistically within the operations ecosystem.
Read more...Electrical and electronic systems design software in the cloud Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has released its new Capital X software as a service (SaaS), the cloud-enabled suite for engineering of electrical and electronic (E/E) systems.
Read more...Digital twin technology gives the edge in America’s Cup Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The Orient Express Racing Team is using the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to aid in preparation for the upcoming 37th America’s Cup, and to gain competitive advantage.
Read more...The convergence of intelligence: DCS, SCADA and TLC Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the early days of industrialisation, control systems were primarily mechanical, and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops to manage processes. Now, in the 21st century, industrial process automation systems are mind-blowingly intelligent, and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making them integral to modern industrial systems.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...ABB modernises key board mill ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has secured a landmark contract to modernise Smurfit Kappa’s Paper Machine 5 at its corrugated cardboard mill near Mexico City. ABB will provide Smurfit Kappa with DCS, accompanied by a comprehensive paper machine drives system, encompassing some of the market’s most advanced drives and motors meticulously designed to optimise PM5’s performance.
printer friendly version