Industrial Automation

In factories and plants around the world, Echelon-enabled control networks monitor and control everything from air quality and waste-water management to materials handling and Web processes. In fact, of the more than 50 million Echelon-enabled devices installed worldwide, over 40 percent are used in industrial control solutions.

Getting a Charge—Automatically—out of Echelon Technology

Battery-powered electric vehicles, such as forklifts and golf carts, must be recharged daily—but facility crews usually handle this task during regular work hours when the demand for electricity is greatest.

To automate vehicle monitoring and reduce peak charging loads, Southern California Edison, along with several partner companies, used Echelon's technology to create an energy management solution for battery charging systems. Called the Battery Charger Control Panel (BCCP), it includes remote monitoring functions, control features, and power-switching devices all in one easy-to-install package.

Each BCCP installation includes:

One or more Echelon LonPoint DIO-10 input/output module, which monitors current flow and controls the battery charger relays
An Echelon LonPoint SCH-10 scheduler, which works like a timer
An Echelon LonPoint DL-10 data logger, which tracks on/off cycles and power usage
An Echelon SLTA serial adapter for dial-up connectivity
WattNode and Veris kWh LonWorks power meters

With the BCCP, facility crews no longer need to physically monitor vehicles for recharging. The LonPoint scheduler sets recharging times based on energy rates, and then automatically charges the vehicles, saving companies energy and overhead costs.