Milwaukee Street Lighting

SCOPE

The city identified inefficient central control (SCADA) of the electrical substation sites for many decades through aging, dedicated copper lines. Project goal was to improve system control reliability and add ability to remotely monitor existing street lighting through electrical substations and circuits.

DELIVERED

Allan ICS provided the original concept and Pilot Project equipment for three substation sites. After the successful proof-of-concept, the city has added dozens of sites with separate phases of contracts and consistent Allan ICS involvement. The new system adds reliability and provides feedback that can help the city respond to outages more efficiently.

Using PLC’s and repeater radios, secured data was brought to the city’s fiber network accessible at fire station “hub sites” where it was linked to the city’s electrical service facility. The PLC’s provide local autonomous operation with astronomical clock functions if remote communication is lost. Security is enhanced by monitoring intrusion, flooding, and other station alarms.

Integration Details

Allen-Bradley PLC’s, server and client PC’s with Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE SCADA software, and GE/MDS radios were provided.