NWU IT-ES/NWU IT-ELD Monitoring systems Fridge and Ambient temperature monitoring, logging and alerting system Presented by:Tinus Steenkamp Tinus.Steenkamp@NWU.ac.za

Why Monitoring? Our clients in the pharmaceutical ,food and even hypertension department requested a solution to provide them with a monitoring system because : Specimens like blood plasma's should be stored in a well managed and controlled temperature range to ensure the safety , purity and efficacy of pharmaceutically/biotech products. GxP regulations for temperature controlled products requires quick response to prevent undesirable conditions for the specimens. Results for research purposes should include environmental (such as ambient testing and storage) data to be deem reliable Therefore temperature of specimens in fridges should be kept at a temperature range of normally -85 °C -+ 5°C ,-20 °C +-5 °C and ambient temperature should range around 25 °C

We also need to monitor to ensure: Quick response to: Fridges when Temperature fluctuates beyond set variables Warning for temperature reaches 5°C tolerance Alarm if temperature drops beyond 5°C tolerance Door open for longer than set periods (prevent drop in temperature ) Power failures to fridges Ambient Ambient temperatures fluctuates high around 25°C

Monitoring should also provide: Logging of results Results should be recorded and temperature logs should be made available to proof specimen validity Monitoring should also provide: Remote alarming via SMS system Remote alarming via transmission of signals to local protection services (Will call the person on standby) Remotely respond to alarm via sms send back to system from cell phone-Logs data to monitor callout response Remote data acquisition (overall systems status or per fridge)

Decision parameters Costs Scalability and development Support Capital outlay costs Running costs Development costs Scalability and development Extending the system beyond that of custom build solutions in terms of quantity Extending the system capabilities due to client request Monitoring capabilities such as acquisitions not part of custom build solutions Support Support not always available or quick due to geographical location

Decision time The decision was made to develop our own system because: Our specific need such as temperature acquisition at any given time could not be met by custom build solutions at the time Costs of custom build solution are high w.r.t installation and support Scalability issues over the rest of the Campus Client needs differ depending on the specimens Client request for additional functions could be managed in house Network issues with supplier hardware Geographical location creates problems with respect to quick response for support (SLA's)

Long road to a solution started with research and lead us to investigate: Custom build solutions by market leaders Loggers Portable meters Software Fridge on board sensors Probes SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) Process control and instrumentation equipment Building management Automation technology

Implementing the decision with Hardware Beckhoff units such as Digital inputs EL1 xxxx Digital outputs EL2 xxxx Analogue inputs EL3 xxxx (4-20 mA for temperature measure) Analogue inputs (Pressure) Embedded PC's (changed to normal PC's in the meantime) Communication terminals EK xxxx Probes PT 100 (Resistance due to temp, .02 % tolerance @ -50 °C ) Thermocouples (dissimilar conductor materials creates certain V- drop,.02 % tolerance @ -85 °C,)

Hardware continue.. Software Transmitters for probes Shielded CAT 5 cable SMS communicator Door sensor Software Beckhoff Ethercat software Develop own in house software to manage data and logging

The result A system that can: Measure Monitor Handle data acquisitions Send alarms according to predefined parameter Log each and every activity Store data (1 min interval logging) A system that is Scalable Manageable Sustainable (Modular addition and development) Maintainable (Modules in store)

And A very happy customer As well as

Evidence?

Beckhoff Twin Cat 2 system manager

Twin Cat 2 linking of devices

Customer GUI

Rack with interface units

Interface units inside Rack

Fridge probe @ -85°C and door monitor

Ambient monitor Probe and transmitter

Power monitoring