Onsite treatment systems can benefit from a variety of electronic devices. They range from controls that operate timed or demand dosing in advanced systems, to simple alarms that alert homeowners and maintenance providers to potential problems before they erupt in basements or back yards.
A range of technologies enable professionals to match the best device with each installation. Here is a sampling of the latest in control, alarm, and monitoring products from onsite equipment manufacturers.
Programmable logic modules
MVP control panels are designed for one- or two-pump systems that time-dose to sand filters or drainfields. A digital programmable logic module with an LCD display and programming keys enable operators to adjust timer settings in the field quickly and accurately. Visual float position indicators, an elapsed
time meter, and counters for alarms and power faults make operation, maintenance and troubleshooting easier. Panels differentiate high- and low-level alarms, and reactivate silenced alarms after 12 hours. Orenco Systems Inc.: 800/348-9843; www.orenco.com.
Duplex control panel
The Model 10-1430 control is a time-dosing, duplex control panel for single-phase pumps. When enabled by a float, the programmable timer activates twin motor contactors that power the pumps on alternating cycles. A high-water condition prompts an audio/visual alarm and overrides the timer until water recedes to normal levels. In low-water conditions, a redundant off circuit protects the pump.
Alternating duplex systems spread the wear evenly between two pumps in time-dosing applications such as recirculating media filters, pressure distribution, and mounds. An event counter, elapsed-time meter, and three mechanically activated, variable level float switches are included. Zoeller Pump Co.: 800/928-7867; www.zoeller.com.
Repeat cycle timer
The UL-Listed Model 217MNT NEMA 4X control panel provides repeat cycle timed control for water pumps. On and off times are set independently from 0.1 second to 100 hours. The panel includes a timer override, audible (90 dB) and visible high water alarms, and hand-off-auto switch. An hour meter and cycle counter monitor pump operation. The panel can be used with single-phase 120- or 240-volt AC pumps up to 1 hp. Ecological Tanks Inc.: 800/277-8179; www.etiaquasafe.com.
Enhanced design
Enhanced Installer Friendly Series single-phase simplex and duplex pump control panels come standard with a digital display showing elapsed time, pump cycles, alarm counts, float errors, float status, and override on/off times. A touch pad on the inner door makes it easy to operate pumps, view the display, and change system settings. LED lights, along with graphics of pumps and floats, simplify monitoring. Technicians can convert the UL/cUL listed panels to demand or timed dose application in the field. SJE-Rhombus: 888/342-5753; www.sjerhombus.com.
Junction box alarm
The JJD (Model 2041) Jiffy Junction
unit has a control switch, pedestal, and watertight junction box with exterior dual alarm and pump control. Horn silence, alarm test, and color-coded alarm LEDs on the internal board handle up to two alarms. The pump control terminal strip is on a removable board for easy, clean hookups. Septronics Inc.: 888/565-8908; www.septronicsinc.com.
PLC system
The 50A807-Drip1 panel has a hard-wired configuration and uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) to activate the pump cycles, flush valves, and spin filter. Easy to install, maintain, and troubleshoot, the unit has elapsed time meters, cycle counters, peak time and power failure event counters, high level alarms, NEMA 4X enclosure, large red alarm light, 90 dB buzzer, circuit breakers, and hand-off-auto switches. It is wired to a UL 508A specification. Septic Products Inc.: 419/282-5933; www.septicproducts.com.
Self-diagnosing panel
The Check It panel is a self diagnosing, installation-friendly control panel used for pump control and supervision of onsite wastewater systems. The Check It switch allows one-button self diagnosing of the electrical wiring, pumps, panel and floats. The panel is rated for 2 million electrical cycles and 30 million mechanical cycles. Features also include auxiliary contacts, float switches, a lead pump selector switch, and indicator lights for the floats, pumps and incoming power. Alderon Industries: 218/483-3034; www.alderonind.com.
High-water alarm
The economical indoor or outdoor LB50 alarm with level control includes a warning light, audible alarm, remote alarm for commercial systems, and three-position toggle switch for operate, silence, and test. To install, technicians connect the level control switch to the terminal blocks, then plug the unit into a 115-volt outlet. The unit is fused for circuit protection and has a remote alarm for switches that close on signal (0.4 amps at 115 volts AC). Septic Services Inc.: 800/536-5564; www. septicserv.com.
Easier to operate
The Installer Friendly Series drip and timed dose controllers are easy to operate, monitor, and service because of the touch-pad display on the inner door. With one touch, the user can program rest for standard time, rest for peak enable time, spin filter flush time, dose time, field flush time, and field drain time. At a glance, technicians can monitor system cycles, float status, and pump run status. Simplex and duplex versions are available. Quanics: 877/782-6427; www.quanics.net.
Floats or air pressure
The Power Zone Jr. simplex pump controller has flashing red LED alarm lights, hand run button, pump run indicator light, NEMA 4X outdoor enclosure, latching door that can be locked, and an exterior audible alarm silence/test. Units operate by floats or air pressure — a single air bell replaces all the float switches. When using the air system, knobs inside the panel let the user adjust the pump off, pump on, and high-level set points without entering the tank. CSI Controls: 800/363-5842; www.chandlersystemsinc.com.
Timer control panels
Simplex and duplex equalization repeat cycle (SEPR/DEPR) timer control panels handle pretreatment pumping to dispersal control. They are available in two-, three-, or four-float configurations including peak enable or override options. Standard units allow operators to adjust run times and standard and peak rest times, and view internal counters, elapsed time meters, and 30-day logging data without special accessories. Options include web-based alarm reporting, temperature sensor alarms, and dialers. American Manufacturing Company Inc.: 800/345-3132; www.americanonsite.com.
