Together with our UK partner Smart Actuation Limited, 3S antriebe GmbH are happy to announce that have we have registered our 3S IoT actuator as a self-certified WITS DNP3 device with the the WITS Protocol Standards Association.

The 3S IoT actuators are designed especially for remote applications. They are typically battery powered and connect to SCADA vie the 4G LTE network as shown in the high level image below.

The 3S EnergySave technology enables a battery life of two years without recharging, while the actuator is permanently attached to SCADA. Switching from 3S EnergySave to operational mode takes approximately 60 seconds.

3S IoT actuators support the following protocols for direct SCADA integration:

  • IEC 60870-5-104
  • DNP3
  • WITS-DNP3

Apart from a standard ISO flash connection they can be retrofitted to existing valves in the ground without a flanged connection thanks to the 3S installation arrangement, as shown below: The actuator is installed on a rotationally locked support plate, which takes the necessary torque for the valve operation and is connected to the valve via a suitable spindle extension available for all kind of valve interfaces, cap tops and operating nuts. This in ground installation does not require a chamber, vault or manhole. The actuator has an IP68 rating and is suitable for applications where it will be submerged under water.

While the control electronics and software for operating the actuator and connecting to SCADA is the same for all 3S IoT actuators, different models with torques up to 1400 Nm are available.

The 3S IoT actuator supports WITS DNP3 and has been self-certified based on the ‘WITS-DNP3 Test Specification’ against the Schneider GeoSCADA system via its WITS DNP3 driver. More details can be seen on the WITS Device Catalogue webpage. An example of the type of control screen that might be presented to a user is shown below.

Unlike most of the other WITS devices the 3S IoT actuator is not a device for (sensor) data logging and transmission but for valve operation. Even in stand-by (3S EnergySave mode) it is always connected to SCADA. No offline data is available. Apart from condition monitoring of the actuator itself, no other measurement data is acquired at this point, which would require thresholds to be evaluated. Accordingly, the device currently only supports a minimal WITS-DNP3 feature set to enable it to work via SCADA’s WITS-DNP3 driver and support some basic features. The data points in the current release are plain DNP3, as the features of WITS-DNP3 data points do not add significant benefits for transmitting the live data of the actuator during operation.

If you are interested in finding out more about the 3S IoT Actuator, please contact Matt Harris of Smart Actuation Limited or Steffen Sacharowitz of 3S.