Pool Systems Dashboard

Information about the visual dashboard (associated with the automation system) will follow shortly.

System

Hardware

Communication with the PLC and temperature controller requires a functional WiFi device network.

Gauges

Gauge measurements are averaged in both the PLC and dashboard software. Gauges may take several seconds (or longer) to respond to significant changes in system conditions.

Tank Pressure

An example of a tank pressure gauge.

Shows the pressure in pounds per square inch (psi) for a sand filter tank per a PLC measurement (via WiFi link).

The color bands are determined as follows:

Range (psi)	Color	Description
0-4	Red	Critically Low Pressure (Pump/Flow Issue)
4-8	Yellow	Low Pressure (Flow Issue) - Consider Cleaning the Strainer Basket
8-18	Green	Normal Operating Pressure
18+	Yellow/Red	Backwash Recommended

For consistent indication, the values above and dashboard visualization thresholds should always align with those defined within the PLC thresholds.

Tank pressure is lowest when the strainer basket is clean and the sand filters have been recently backwashed. If pump outflow is restricted enough (in an effort to maintain proper flow, it is possible for pressure to dip into the "Low Pressure" range. This is not necessarily a cause for any concern.

If the associated sensor is in a fault state (the sensor has failed, there is a wiring/fuse fault or the connector is unplugged), the gauge will show a value of 0.0. A fault state is indicated by the PLC and the stack light. If the gauge is not visible (the block is blank), a communication error with the PLC has occurred or a software issue is present on the dashboard PC. Consult the system administrator.

Surge Tank Depth

An example of the surge tank depth gauge.

Shows the depth in inches for the surge tank.

The color bands are determined as follows:

Range (in)	Color	Description
< 16	Red	Critical Depth
16-46	Yellow	Low Depth (Auto-Fill Threshold)
46-60	Green	Nominal Depth (See Note)
60-76	Blue	Excess Depth
> 76	Red	Overflow Depth

Note: The "nominal" depth of the surge tank is subject to future revision. At this time, lacking a proper drain modulating valve, it is not possible to provide "surge" capacity (keep the tank depth lowered during periods of high gutter flow). As a result, some portion of the "nominal" and "excess" depth is expected when the pool level is high and/or there is a large amount of activity in the pool. Ideally, the surge tank should usually remain below the gutter inlet level.

When the "critical" depth threshold is met, this may result in pump shutdown (per the PLC) to prevent pulling air into the pump. The surge tank water level is insufficient to maintain operation. When enabled, auto-fill begins at the upper end of the "low" depth threshold and ends when the upper end of the "nominal" depth is met. A large amount of surge tank depth hysteresis is needed when an actual pool depth measurement is lacking.

The tank nears overflow at the "overflow" depth threshold. No specific action is taken by the PLC at this point.

Out Flow

An example of the out flow rate gauge.

Shows the out flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM).

The color bands are determined as follows:

Range (°F)	Color	Description
< 490	Red	Very Low Flow
490-570	Yellow	Low Flow (See Note)
570-670	Green	Optimal Flow
> 670	Yellow	High Flow

A target flow rate of 600 GPM has been established for manual adjustment. This flow rate:

• Meets the minimum pool turnover rate of 4 times per day (every 6 hours) for a 203,500 gallon pool.
• Is within some margin of the maximum flow rate set by the sand filters (140 GPM x 4 = 580 GPM).

To prevent channeling in the sand filters, an upper bound of 670 GPM has been set (somewhat arbitrarily). The operator should try to keep as close to 600 GPM operation as possible (without dipping below 570 GPM).

Inlet Temperature

An example of the inlet temperature gauge.

Shows the inlet temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) per the temperature controller measurement (via WiFi link). This temperature is measured directly after the filter tanks, prior to the boiler loop (refer to the Process Flow Diagram).

The color bands are determined as follows:

Range (°F)	Color	Description
< 79	Blue	Low Temperature (Temperature Controller Alarm)
79-81	Yellow	Low Temperature (Outside of Controlled Bounds)
81+	Green	Normal Temperature

The boiler is nominally set to 82 °F. Controller hysteresis keeps the temperature to within ±1 °F or less. The temperature controller enters an "alarm" state indicating that the boiler may be in a fault state once the temperature is below 79 °F. During hot summer days, temperatures of 82 °F to 87 °F are expected and normal.

pH

An example of the pH gauge.

Shows the sampled water pH per a Chemtrol Pool Controller measurement (via RS-485/Ethernet link).

The color bands are determined as follows:

Range (°F)	Color	Description
< 7.2	Red	Corrosive Water (See Note)
7.2-7.4	Yellow	pH Low
7.4-7.6	Green	pH Ideal
7.6-7.8	Yellow	pH High
> 7.8	Red	Scaling Water (See Note)

Note: Ideal pH is between 7.4 and 7.6. A pH between 7.2 and 7.8 is generally acceptable (though possibly too low or too high). A pH below 7.2 or above 7.8 may be problematic; verify by calculating the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI).

ORP

An example of the ORP gauge.

Shows the sampled water oxidation reduction potential (ORP) per a Chemtrol Pool Controller measurement (via RS-485/Ethernet link).

Graphs

ORP

An example of an ORP graph.