Schneider controls help Bupa’s carbon reduction initiative 02 June 2010

Kestrel Mechanical, which looks after service, maintenance and repair of the boiler plant in 88 Bupa care homes, has started an energy-saving programme using Schneider Electric's TeSys U motor starter controllers for pumps and motors.

The heating and building services contractor, says it is updating the HVAC plant is in line with Bupa's carbon initiative under the carbon levy scheme.

Key requirement for the system is remote management, with all HVAC installations to be monitored and controlled at Bupa's central support office in Leeds.

Kestrel engineer Oliver Ringrose, who had not previously used the TeSys U range, explains: "We are using Honeywell Hawk controllers on a Modbus network to integrate the HVAC systems, and were looking for a quick-fit capable of being connected onto a Modbus network for the motor controllers."

A Honeywell contact, with experience of the TeSys U starters in industrial automation, recommended them and hence the approach.

Ringrose, who has responsibility for designing and building the plant control panels, says that using the TeSys U with the HVAC system enables the state of the motor starters to be constantly monitored, with motor load and whether on, off or tripped.

It means that Bupa can ensure that the plant in each of its homes is operating to pre-determined parameters, identifying unnecessary usage or unauthorised changes to manual operation. By being able to remotely monitor individual usage in this way, Bupa can more effectively manage its energy consumption on a site-by-site basis, he asserts.

"As the whole project is driven by Bupa's requirement for energy conservation, it was important to ensure proper control and these are the only starters on the market that cannot be linked out [thermal overload protection cannot be disabled]," says Ringrose. "From the design point of view, they are very compact and their construction enables us to reduce the number of I/O devices. Basically, we have less kit to fit into the panel, so can do a lot more in the same space."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Schneider Electric Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.