Electrical & Controls As-Needed Services

Description: Since 2013, WHB Engineers has been providing the SDCWA authority with Electrical and Controls As-Needed Services. The WHB Engineers team has a strong working relationship and history with the SDCWA. Our experience provides us with an understanding of the Water Authority Polices and Standards along with understanding of the distribution system. Below is an example of a Flow Control Facility successfully completed.                 

Carlsbad 6 Flow Control Facility – The project included replacement of an existing Flow Control Facility (FCF) with a new FCF in Carlsbad, California. WHB Engineers scope of services included the design of all electrical, control and communications systems associated with demolition of the existing FCF and construction of the new FCF. 

The electrical design of the new FCF included a new electrical service and power distribution system to support the power requirements of the FCF and two turnout structure vaults. The new FCF provided monitoring and control of a primary flow control valve (FCV) and two additional FCVs located at nearby turnout structure vaults.

The instrumentation and control (I&C) system design included a new control panel with an Allen Bradley CompactLogix family programmable logic controller (PLC) which provided local monitoring and control of the three FCVs and interfaced to the SDCWA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system via cellular radio. 

To provide enhanced security for the SDCWA assets associated with the FCF an ancillary turnout structures, an intrusion detection system equipped with intrusion switches at all hatches and doors and access card reader for the FCF was incorporated in the design. 

Primary challenges associated with the project included limited real estate near a congested commercial intersection with multiple stakeholders near the project boundaries and maintenance of operation of the existing FCF during construction of the new FCF.