Trane introduces remote monitoring facility for chiller plants and BMS

Trane has announced that a remote monitoring option that tracks the operation of chilled water plants and building management systems (BMS) via a GSM phone network, is now available in the Middle East, India and Africa. The application allows users to stay in touch with a facility’s HVAC system when away from the office, claims Trane.

It further claims that when the systems need attention, users receive alarms and event notifications on their mobile phones as text messages.

Explaining how it works, the manufacturer says that a GSM modem interface/transceiver board is fitted to a Trane Tracer Summit control system, and connected to a wireless modem via a RJ12 cable and a DB9 connector.

Trane says that the remote option may be beneficial especially to organisations where a small operations team has to cover a very large site, or where facilities are scattered over a wide geographical area. Trane backs this claim by adding that apart from in-house testing, it has also carried out successful pilot installations at a globally recognised microprocessor manufacturer in India and an international pharmaceutical company in South Africa.

Commenting on the technology, Akel Diab, controls and contracting leader for Trane, in the Middle East, India and Africa, said: “Customers are no longer tethered to the office when it comes to monitoring their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. They can now remotely and reliably track the operation of their systems and take appropriate action as soon as they receive an update by text message.”