Pump Controls & Control Systems
Tricel supports pump control systems for commercial, industrial, HVAC, water supply and wastewater applications, from straightforward pump control to more integrated electrical and automated systems. Our team can help identify a suitable control approach based on the pumps, duty requirements, operating strategy and level of monitoring required.
01
Pump Control Solutions
Different pumping systems require different levels of control. Explore Tricel’s two dedicated control-system areas.
Electrical Control Systems
Pump Control & Automation
COVERS
Pump control and automation
SPEED
Variable speed where appropriate
INCLUDES
Sequencing, alarms and integration with building or process controls, where required
Electrical control systems can be designed around the way the pump installation needs to operate. Depending on the project, control may include pump starting, speed regulation, automatic sequencing, alarms and integration with wider building or process controls.
Control Panels & Vessels
Integrated Pump-System Components
COVERS
Control panels and vessels
SPEED
Fixed or variable, to suit the pumps
INSTALLATION
Automatic control of single- and multi-pump systems; pressure or expansion vessels
Pump control panels provide the electrical and automatic control required for single- or multi-pump systems. Depending on the application, pressure or expansion vessels may also form part of the wider pumping-system arrangement.
02
Grundfos Pump Controls & Monitoring
Grundfos pump controllers are designed to work with a wide range of Grundfos pumps and to integrate into larger systems, from wastewater and drainage pumping to borehole and constant-pressure water supply.
Grundfos CU 200 & CU 202
SQFlex Pump Control Units
PUMPS
Grundfos SQFlex submersible
USED FOR
Solar-powered water supply
CONTROLS
Pump status; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi monitoring (CU 202)
Control units for Grundfos SQFlex pumps. CU 202 is the current generation, replacing the CU 200, with monitoring and control by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Grundfos CU 241, 242 & 362
Level Control & Monitoring Units
PUMPS
Wastewater pumps; borehole pumps (CU 242)
USED FOR
Level control, monitoring and protection
CONTROLS
Built into control cabinets; CU 362 controls up to six pumps
Control units for level control, monitoring and protection in wastewater and borehole applications, built into control cabinets. CU 362 runs Grundfos Dedicated Controls for multi-pump wastewater stations.
Grundfos CU 300, 301 & 302
SQE Constant-Pressure Control
PUMPS
Grundfos SQE submersible
USED FOR
Constant-pressure water supply
CONTROLS
Monitoring and control; set-up by Grundfos GO (CU 302)
Control units for Grundfos SQE submersible pumps, for example in constant-pressure applications. CU 302, the current generation, communicates over the power cable and is set up in the Grundfos GO app.
Grundfos LC 231
Level Control Box
PUMPS
One or two
USED FOR
Wastewater pits, drainage and tank filling
CONTROLS
Level control, monitoring and motor protection
A compact control box for level control, monitoring and protection of one- or two-pump systems, using float switches or a level transmitter. LC 241 is the cabinet-based version.
Control Solutions for New and Existing Pump Systems
Pump controls may be required for a new installation or as part of an upgrade to an existing pumping system.
Where older controls no longer meet the required operating strategy, Tricel can survey the existing pumps, controls and system requirements before recommending a solution, with installation, commissioning and ongoing service and maintenance.
Control Designed Around the System
More Than Simply Switching a Pump On & Off
Pump control can respond to changes in pressure, flow, level or system demand, so that pumps operate according to the needs of the installation.
Depending on the application, a control strategy can include variable-speed operation, duty/standby sequencing, alarms, automatic changeover and communication with wider building or process systems. Only the functions the installation needs are included.
03
Pump Control Applications
Pressure Boosting
Control pump output as water demand changes and maintain the required system pressure.
HVAC Systems
Coordinate pumps within commercial heating and chilled-water installations.
Wastewater & Drainage
Control pumps using level signals, alarms and duty/standby operation where required.
Pressurisation Systems
Control top-up and pressure-maintenance equipment within sealed heating and cooling systems.
Industrial Processes
Automated pump control for suitable process-water and industrial applications.
Packaged Pump Systems
Integrate pumps, sensing, controls and associated equipment into one coordinated pumping package.
04
Choosing the Right Pump Control System
Control requirements should be considered alongside the pump duty and the way the complete system needs to operate.
|
Factor
|
What we need to know
|
|---|---|
|
Pump arrangement
|
Is the system using one pump, duty/standby pumps or multiple pumps?
|
|
Control variable
|
Is operation determined by pressure, flow, level, temperature or another signal?
|
|
Speed control
|
Is fixed-speed operation sufficient, or is variable-speed control required?Is fixed-speed operation sufficient, or is variable-speed control required?
|
|
Operating sequence
|
How should pumps start, stop, alternate or operate together?
|
|
Monitoring
|
What operating conditions, warnings and faults need to be monitored?
|
|
BMS / integration
|
Does information need to be exchanged with a Building Management System or other control platform?
|
|
Environment
|
Where will the control panel be installed, and what enclosure or environmental requirements apply?
|
|
Existing equipment
|
Is this a new control system, or an upgrade or replacement for an existing installation?
|
05
What Can a Pump Control System Manage?
Functions vary by system. A control system includes only those its pumps and application need.
Pump Start / Stop
Automatic operation according to system requirements.
Variable-Speed Control
Adjust pump speed as demand changes, where variable-speed operation is appropriate.
Duty / Standby Operation
Alternate pumps or provide backup operation in suitable multi-pump systems.
Level & Pressure Control
Use system signals to determine when pumps should operate.
Alarms & Fault Indication
Provide warning or fault information when operating conditions move outside the required range.
BMS & System Integration
Exchange operating information with wider building or process-management systems, where supported by the selected control equipment.
Control Solutions for New and Existing Pump Systems
Pump controls may be required for a new installation or as part of an upgrade to an existing pumping system.
Where older controls no longer meet the required operating strategy, Tricel can survey the existing pumps, controls and system requirements before recommending a solution, with installation, commissioning and ongoing service and maintenance.
frequently asked questions
What does a pump control panel do?
A pump control panel manages how one or more pumps operate. Depending on the system, it may control starting and stopping, sequencing, alarms and speed control.
What is variable-speed pump control?
Variable-speed control changes pump speed according to system demand instead of running continuously at one fixed speed. Suitability depends on the pump and the application.
Can one control panel operate multiple pumps?
Yes. Suitable control systems can manage multiple-pump arrangements such as duty/standby, alternating or staged operation.
Can pump controls connect to a BMS?
Suitable control equipment can exchange information with a Building Management System. The communication method and the signals required should be confirmed during system design.
Can Tricel upgrade an existing pump control system?
Tricel carries out site surveys of existing pump installations. Our team can assess the existing pumps, controls and required operating strategy, and recommend an appropriate upgrade or replacement.
Pump Controls in Ireland
Tricel provides pump control and automation for commercial, industrial and building-services applications across Ireland. Our engineers specify, supply, install, service and maintain pumps and their control systems.
From straightforward pump control panels to more integrated electrical control systems, our team can help define the control strategy around the pump arrangement, system demand, monitoring requirements and installation. Where pumps and controls form part of a larger package, see bespoke pump systems.
For more detail, explore our Electrical Control Systems and Control Panels & Vessels pages.
Need a Pump Control System?
Tell our team about your pump arrangement, application, control requirements and existing equipment, and we can help identify an appropriate solution.
Call +353 (0)64 668 8040 or email watersales@tricel.ie