Very short pump cycles

Application

This anomaly type is applicable to wastewater pumping stations for which pump running status is available.

Description

Users are notified of this anomaly if these conditions are fulfilled:

• Very short pump cycles are detected repeatedly.
• The duration of the pump cycles changes significantly.

Possible causes

• A fault in the analog level sensor
• A fault in the controller
• A fault in a pump

Related charts for evaluation

For instructions on where to find the related charts for examination, see
"Where do I find the anomaly charts for examination?" under Event FAQs > Anomalies.

Description of the first chart

The chart shows the following data:

• The running status of each pump in the station
• The water level, if available

The time period in the chart is one day with the maximum resolution:

• If the anomaly is active, the chart shows the previous day.
• If the anomaly has ceased, the chart shows the day that the anomaly started.

The chart allows the user to evaluate the following items:

• The issue that has caused the anomaly
• The current state of the station, if the anomaly is still active

Description of the second chart

The chart shows the daily number of starts of each pump in the station. The time period in the chart is multiple days. The chart allows the user to evaluate the following items:

• The extent of the issue
• The frequency of the issue occurrence
• The difference in issue occurrence between the pumps

Evaluation of charts

In this example, the station has two pumps that are set to alternate regularly and to run between constant start and stop levels.

The first chart shows an irregular trend of the measured water level with unrealistic spikes. The spikes cause the pumps to start and stop right after. This behavior indicates that there is an issue with the level sensor or the controller.

The second chart shows that each pump starts hundreds of times for each day. The number of starts differs significantly compared to the 20 times for each day that is seen in July, before the anomaly started.

Also, the second chart shows that the issue affects both pumps equally. This understanding confirms that the issue is in the level sensor or in the controller, rather than in a pump.

Disable the anomaly type

If the behavior that is identified as an anomaly is normal for a station, the anomaly type should be disabled. For more information, see "How do I enable or disable an anomaly type?" under Event FAQs > Anomalies.