INTRODUCTION

The ETC6000 series is an integrated burner controller for single and dual fuel burners. Features include; all burner sequence timings, fan motor control, fuel safety valve control and proving, ignition control, flame supervision, fuel/air ratio and modulation control. Oxygen trim is available as an option and is easily incorporated into the system. By utilising oxygen trim the control becomes a true closed loop system and energy savings of up to 3.5% can be achieved. This can be a significant annual saving on larger systems and payback periods can be short enough to justify any capital outlay.

Full Fuel Air Ratio Control is achieved with fuel valve and air damper positioning performed by a range of servo motors (up to 10 servos per controller) that provide the repeatability required to achieve the most efficient and cost effective combustion conditions possible. The servo motors are connected on a CANbus network and have a positioning resolution of ±0.1°.

The CANbus system achieves a high level of system integrity as each servo motor has a unique serial number. Should a servo motor fail a new unit must be installed and programmed into the system; this can only be achieved by a suitably trained technician thus ensuring that the new servo motor is setup and commissioned correctly. All safety related operations are password protected.

The use of servo motors over conventional characterising cams eliminates hysteresis and backlash and achieves improved turndown; this can result in cost savings of up to 5%. An additional benefit is that the combustion characteristics will be much closer to the originally commissioned values throughout the firing range so reducing pollutants, reducing the chances of incomplete combustion and potentially extending the life of the boiler. These benefits, with the addition of oxygen trim, make retrofitting an attractive and cost effective option.

VSD drives providing fan speed control can be easily added to the ETC6000 using an interface card. When using VSD control, significant electrical savings can be made, particularly in the mid­fire range. The addition of the VSD interface card does not increase the footprint of the main ETC controller.

The ETC6000 controller has a small footprint and can easily be installed within a burner enclosure. There are standard keypad options with text displays to allow commissioning and day-to-day operation. These keypads can easily be modified and supplied to customer requirements with extra or hidden keys and with corporate names and logos. In addition to these standard keypads ETC can now offer both 10.4" & 5.7" customised TFT touch screen displays.

These new displays allow data to be displayed in much the same way as a graphics based BMS (Building Management System). This flexibility allows almost limitless customisation. Using the touch screen both the commissioning and day-to-day operation of the system becomes quicker and more intuitive allowing operators to learn, accept and feel confident with the new system. Once commissioned, the ETC6000 can operate standalone without an operator interface. However, most systems will be fitted with an interface of some sort.