Application of gprs communication method for transferring chlorine measurements to scada system in potable water production plant

This study was carried out in a potable water production facility with the need to transfer chlorine measurement results, which are located at distant and scattered distances from the central SCADA system to the center by a wireless method. GPRS communication was used as the method to transfer chlorine measurement results to the central SCADA. It was effective in the application of GPRS communication method instead of RF communication experienced in the facility due to the distance of the locations to the center and rough ambient conditions. The chlorine analyzer data was taken to the local PLCs and brought to the internet via GPRS modem, which acts as a client, and moved to the central PLC and then to SCADA via the server modem at the center. Graphic pages were designed in SCADA that operators are able to follow the data both instantly and retrospectively to take action fast. As a result of the study, the factors that adversely affect data transfer were also examined. Internet interruptions, failures (modem, PLC, analyzer and cable failures) were found to negatively affect GPRS communication. As a result of the examinations, it has been observed that the number of message commands and frequency of calls which are among the PLC logics written for data transfer, affect the PLC cycle time and this situation affects data transfer indirectly. The fact that it is fast and data can be transferred from anywhere in the world attracted by the internet can be stated as its positive side. Due to the continuity of the internet for the continuity of the communication and the GSM company, it was concluded that it is applicable in processes that interruptions in data flow are not important, and it is not a reliable communication method for critical processes (especially in equipment control).