How to control Wilo pumps in an integrated manner as an operator or facilities manager

Nowadays literally your entire property is digitalised, from heating, cooling and air conditioning, to system-related electrical products of all types. Modern building services provide you with optimum user comfort and reduce your ongoing operating costs in the long term. At the same time, however, this also increases complexity.

Our solution: As “intelligent” actuators and sensors, pumps can record your electrical and hydraulic operating data, which you can then control easily and conveniently on the automation level above. This data includes pressure, flow rate, power consumption, current consumption and the number of operating hours as well as possible malfunction and fault statuses.

Wilo provides diverse interfaces for pump integration

Wilo provides consultants and installers with a variety of analogue and digital interfaces for seamlessly integrating our pump systems into an existing building automation system. For on-site integration, communication interface modules (CIF) can be directly plugged into the pump, therefore establishing communication with the common bus systems. In the latest smart pump generations of the Stratos MAXO and Stratos GIGA2.0, the new Wilo CIF module Ethernet has been added, which establishes modern Ethernet communication with a wide variety of protocols such as BACnet IP and Modbus TCP.

Achieve maximum energy efficiency thanks to overall system optimisation

Whilst it is almost impossible to technically improve upon the pump’s efficiency, the main focus of the new pump generations is therefore to optimise the overall pump system. With Stratos GIGA2.0, we rely on the interaction of IE5 EC motor technology and proven pump hydraulics in combination with innovative control functions. These include, for example, Dynamic Adapt plus, Multi-Flow Adaptation or T-const. This perfectly coordinated interaction allows you to optimise the energy efficiency of the overall pump system.

Convenient connectivity and control for maximum operational reliability

Wilo-Smart Connect is the general Wilo communications platform for you to access existing and future Wilo pumps and pump systems. It enables local adjustment and operation using mobile devices via Bluetooth, as well as a remote access option and multiple pump control thanks to connectivity via Wilo Net. All you need for this is the Wilo-Assistant app and its Smart connect function.

Innovative control functions – easy to adjust for you as an installer

The number of setting options for technical products is constantly increasing and sometimes overwhelms users. This is also the case for pumps. Wilo addressed this issue early on and we developed our “Green Button Technology”, an operating concept that is easy to understand. The operating philosophy is characterised by its unique simplicity: Instead of a complicated procedure, it’s basically as simple as turning and pressing a green operating button. State-of-the-art technology really can be that simple and intuitive.

The array of possible applications for the pumps, from the supply of ceiling cooling and underfloor cooling systems, to the connection to multiple control functions and setting options for various parameters, implies enormous complexity. This can mean that the factory settings are not adjusted during commissioning due to time constraints. But failing to adjust the settings would be giving away great efficiency benefits.

Together with the Wilo setting assistant, we’ve therefore created a menu navigation for installers like you, which you can use to individually optimise pumps for your application. It shows step-by-step settings on a large, colour display and guides you along to the end. Here too, the usual press and turn principle applies again for navigating the menu using the green button.

Application examples in cooling

• Operation of cooling towers can, for example, be managed via the “Constant volume flow” control function, which can be easily set via the setting assistant.
• Two pumps can be connected to one another in twin-head pump operation for secure cooling and air-conditioning operation. One of the two is always active. If one of the pumps malfunctions, the building management system sends a message and the cooling and air-conditioning operation continues securely via the other pump.
• For the purpose of cooling large rooms, halls for example, Wilo provides the option of connecting high-efficiency pumps directly to a room temperature sensor on which the target temperature of the room is set. The pump functions according to this target temperature.
• For cooling via cooling ceilings, it’s important that the feed temperature is higher than the dew point in order to avoid condensation on the pipes and on the ceiling. In order to support a safe feed temperature, Wilo’s high-efficiency pumps can be controlled to a setpoint feed temperature. A temperature sensor is directly connected to the pump for this purpose.
• In order to cover the cooling demand, Wilo enables the feeder pumps to be connected to the secondary pumps at the manifold. It’s then possible to supply the exact volume flow rate required and achieve optimum energy efficiency by means of Multi-Flow Adaptation.

Bluetooth – ideal for space-constrained commissioning and subsequent optimisations

Space limitations often impair installations that would normally require more space to allow you to comfortably carry out the settings and optimisations as an installer. For these cases where the display isn’t easily accessible or is visibility is limited, Wilo has developed a Bluetooth module, which gives you the option of digital pump access via smartphone. In this case, the module acts as an interface between the Wilo-Assistant app and the pump. This allows you to operate pumps, view data or, for example, create commissioning reports via your smartphone using the Smart Connect function.

Data transmission in real time for pump control and monitoring

The Wilo-Smart Gateway is the link between the pump and the Wilo-Smart Cloud for remote monitoring and control of your pumps via mobile devices. For Wilo-Smart Connect remote access, the Wilo-Smart Gateway transmits operating data and control signals between the Wilo pumps in the Wilo-Smart Cloud online in real time. This also allows operators, facilities managers or installers like you to monitor and control the pumps from your desk.

As an installer, you can provide all modern system solutions with Wilo

The cooling system in a building is one of the most essential areas in building services. Pumps are components in this overall system and support its efficiency.

With our circulators, we provide you with solutions for use in all types of application. These include the primary and secondary circuit as well as cooling tower, geothermal energy systems, passive cooling and district cooling transfer stations.

With Wilo, you create the best conditions to maintain the water quality

In closed cooling systems, the treatment of water is instrumental in preventing harmful microbiological contamination, corrosion and limescale in the system. Such problems not only cause unpleasant noises in pipes and heat exchangers, but can also lead to energy losses. Inadequate system performance and safety can result in premature replacement of the system or its components.

With Wilo water quality systems, you provide constant pressure maintenance, venting and replenishment in both closed heating systems (according to EN 12828) and cooling systems.

The products we recommend use proven and innovative technologies to remove air and solids particles from the water, i.e. by using coalescence and reducing the flow rate. Our series of pressure maintenance systems, degassing machines, air and dirt separators and automatic ventilators provide you with the most efficient solution here.

One partner, all services: Wilo

Benefit from our comprehensive support as a consultant and operator in every phase of the project, from design and dimensioning through to commissioning and maintenance. Together with Wilo, you can ensure sustainable air conditioning and cooling in the long term. Exploit every potential and receive support with design and dimensioning with our life cycle cost analysis (LCC analysis). Achieve significant savings in your energy and operating costs on this sound basis. Design your pump systems perfectly for multiple duty points at different speeds. Proactively replace old pumps and switch to an energy-efficient and cost-efficient system early on.