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The FDT (flow Detection Transducer) which has already played a critical part in Anglian Water’s EDM1 programme for CSO overflows since 2012 has now been selected to play a key part of their EDM2 programme to monitor the duration of spills at critical CSOs where 2-minute reporting is now mandated by the UK Government’s pollution watchdog the Environment Agency (EA).
Key to the FDT being selected has been sighted as its ability to work almost anywhere thanks to its independence from the cellular networks and the use of secure Ofcom licenced radio spectrum. This is apparently of particular importance as the industry across the UK as been reporting a marked decline in 2G, GPRS and 3G coverage from 2016/2017 during the upgrade of many regions to 4G
In addition the FDTs data is presented as a simply flow/no-flow binary signal via its Gateway Receiver as volt free contacts. This makes it ideal for interfacing to exiting telemetry / SCADA without the need for investment in software, SIM cards or the fear of cyber attack.
Finally, the FDT has proven industry leading reliability, with many hundreds of units exceeding 5-years in service life without a single failure due to premature failure or moisture ingress!
As reported in our press release earlier this month, the FDT is future proof through its ability to report in virtual real-time making it ideal for real-time control and mitigation strategies. These can include dry weather CSO spill containment, such as the CSO containment valve featured opposite installed in the Anglian Water region in 2013.
FDT v.s. Traditional GSM/GPRS + Ultrasonic Combination
| Parameter | FDT | GSM/GPRS + Ultrasonic Head | Notes: |
| Sampling Rate
2-Minute EDM Compatible |
Yes
2.5 seconds |
Yes with limitations
2 or 15-min |
The FDT reporting rate is set by the associated Booster or Gateway |
| Health Message | Yes | No | Every 4-minutes |
| Telemetry Interface | Relay / Volt Free | Web / Login | FDT offers 100% Cyber security |
| Deployment Depth | 4m and 10m | 3m | |
| Real-Time Data & Control | Yes | No | Direct Link to Pumps and valve Controls |
| Battery life | 7-10 years | 6-16mths | |
| IP68 + 100% Potted Design for Constant Submersion | Yes | Partial | |
| Field Programming | Not Required | Yes | FDT Trigger set by cable ties |
| Confined Space Entry | Not Normally Required | Yes | FDT Normally installed from the surface – no brackets required |
| Visual Verifiable Trigger Point | Yes | No | FDT is easy to align with spill channel |
| Live Drive-By Status Report to Vehicle | Yes | No | |
| Location Function | Yes | No | |
| SIM Card Required | No | Yes | |
| Impact protection | IK07 | ? | |
| Communication Options | Licenced Radio
Tetra / DMR Satellite |
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| 100% Cyber Secure Internet Free Options | Yes | No – Requires GPRS/ 3G IP Backbone | Relay Option to existing Outstation and SCADA |
Press Office
Radio Data Networks Limited October 2017