Design and setting up of a system for remote monitoring and control on auxiliary machines in electric vehicles

Todor Kableshkov University of Transport – Sofia, Department of Power Engineering and Electrical Equipment in Transport, Faculty of Telecommunications and Electrical Equipment in Transport, 158 Geo Milev St., 1574 Sofia, Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: vdimitroff@abv.bg

Abstract

Systems for remote monitoring and control of the proper operation, energy consumption, and efficiency of the controlled objects are very often used in different spheres of industry, in the electricity distribution network, etc. Various types of intelligent energy meters, PLCs and other control devices are involved in such systems. Proper operation of the auxiliary machines in electric vehicles is of great importance and implementation of a system for their remote monitoring and control is useful and ensures reliability and increased efficiency. A system has been designed and built using contemporary devices. An asynchronous motor is controlled by a soft starter and opportunities for remote monitoring (by an intelligent energy meter) and control (by a PLC and Touch panel) have been provided. Soft starters are widely used in industry for control on asynchronous drives when speed regulation is not a mandatory requirement. They are cheaper than inverters and frequency converters and allow for temporal reduction of the torque and current surge during start-up, as well as smooth deceleration. Therefore they can also be used in electric vehicles to control auxiliary machines (pumps, fans, air coolers, compressors, etc.). The present paper presents a methodology for their design and setting up.