Expertise
March has been trusted by key UK industries for decades. We understand the challenges that business faces in terms of productivity, competition, cost control, safety, security and compliance.
March was chosen by a UK leading utilities company to undertake a large scale, fully integrated fibre optic network upgrade.
History
The existing DH+ network on the Sewage Treatment site was operating at 97% capacity. A robust solution was required utilising new equipment and technologies.
The site Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) communicated via a legacy DH+ (data highway plus) network protocol alongside the site SCADA. The stress on the existing network meant continual dropped data packets and false alarms.
The aim was for March to upgrade the DH+ network site-wide to a fibre optic ring.
Solution
The scale of the fibre optics project required careful planning of future network points, considering peripheral site upgrades. March completed a front-end engineering study (FEED) to depict the best solution.
March installed 17 “network node boxes”, housing managed fibre/ethernet switch for future adjacent PLC connection.
“March demonstrated their ability on the fibre upgrade project to comprehensively design, and offer consultancy, to deliver a project intending to future proof the site. The front-end study was beneficial and allowed for smooth programme delivery.
March performed the principal contractor role during the commissioning phase. During this time, they received a 100% UVDB score which was a testament to the safety considerations for their principal project role”
Sub-fed from the network node boxes were three DLRs (Device Level Rings), each providing a secondary network layer to process areas with multiple PLC’s.
March completed the Principal Designer & Contractor role as per CDM regulations 2015, overseeing multiple site contractors during the construction phase.
March implemented a fully integrated fibre optic network with multiple appropriate network node points. An estimated 4.5 kilometres of fibre optic cable was installed as part of the project.
Results
The Sewage Treatment Works fibre optic upgrade was a huge success and the site SCADA speed has improved and become more robust.
The designed “network node boxes” installed by March have now been put forward as the benchmark for the client standard.
Security considerations and standards have been achieved by using industrial managed network equipment, configured as per client protocols and whilst on site, March achieved a 100% site UVDB score.
As a wider implication of the work, the additional local fibre optic connection points for all site PLC’s has also activated separate projects, which were awaiting an improved network topology.