CPA Develops New Direct Drive Controller for Remote Enershield Air Barrier Management
CPA Engineered Solutions Ltd has unveiled a new Direct Drive Controller for its Enershield
Air Barriers, giving customers the ability to remotely monitor, manage and adjust connected
systems from a central location.
Developed internally by CPA’s technical team, the project was led by Technical Manager
Euan Whelan and Technical Support Graduate Apprentice Adam Johnston. A working
prototype is now live, with the technology progressing towards commercial release.
The new controller has been developed in response to a growing need for greater visibility
and flexibility in how Air Barrier systems are managed, particularly across businesses
operating multiple units or sites.
At the centre of the development is remote control. Customers will be able to view
connected Enershield Air Barriers from a single platform and remotely adjust fan speeds in
response to changing environmental or operational conditions.
The platform also provides access to Air Barrier usage, internal and external temperatures,
and real-time and historical performance data. This gives customers a clearer understanding
of how their systems are operating and provides measurable information to support more
accurate reporting of energy savings.
Smarter Control, On Site and Remotely
Alongside its remote capabilities, the Direct Drive Controller features a new colour
touchscreen HMI for local operation.
Users can adjust fan speed, set operating timers, switch between continuous and timed
operation, change the control signal between voltage and current, and move between local
and remote control.
The connected system also creates new opportunities for technical and service support.
Where an issue is identified, access to system information can help CPA’s team assess what
is happening before an engineer attends site, supporting faster diagnosis, better preparation
and reduced disruption for the customer.
Technical Manager Euan Whelan said – “The aim of the Direct Drive Controller is to give
customers much more control over their Enershield Air Barrier systems and much better
access to the information behind how they are performing.
“Being able to access an Air Barrier remotely, make adjustments and see performance data
gives customers greater flexibility, particularly where they are managing multiple units or
locations. It also gives our technical and service teams better information when support is
required.”
Technical Support Graduate Apprentice Adam Johnston added – “A key part of the project
has been making the information useful and accessible. Customers can see what their Air
Barriers are doing in real time, look back at historical performance and make changes
remotely rather than having to be physically at the controller.
“It brings the control and monitoring of multiple Enershield Air Barrier systems together in
one place.”
Building on Existing Enershield Air Barrier Systems
The Direct Drive Controller has been designed for both new and existing Enershield Air
Barrier installations. For existing systems, the technology can be retrofitted through direct
replacement of the controller, providing access to the new functionality without replacing
the complete Air Barrier.
With its working prototype now operational, CPA is continuing the development of the Direct
Drive Controller ahead of its planned introduction to the market.
The project reflects CPA’s wider move towards more connected equipment, using remote
control and operational data to give customers greater insight into system performance
while strengthening the technical support available throughout the equipment’s operational
life.
