B1.1 Introduction
VPVision is a complete real-time energy monitoring solution that meets the demand of virtually any compressed air system. Thanks to the standardized hardware and modular software architecture it is uniquely scalable and adaptable for all utilities within your company. Get control of your usage and see the patterns on your supply and demand side. Take factual and well-founded decisions on your costs and investments. Reveal the consumption of all utilities, including compressed air, electricity, industrial gases, steam, vacuum, natural gas, wastewater, heating fuels, etc.
As VPVision is a web-based energy monitoring system it enables you to view all of your data remotely, with a VPN option for security, on any platform from PC to smartphone. It will help your organization to raise energy awareness among your staff. VPVision will be your guiding hand to target energy savings for individuals, teams, or at a company-wide level.
 | Be aware that the new version of VPVision has just released, for more information about VPVision 5.2 can be found in the user manual |
B1.2 Warnings: Read this first
 | Installing VPVision requires basic IT and network knowledge. You, and/or your IT department should be familiar with this knowledge. |
 | Read and understand the user manuals of all equipment involved before commencing the installation or use. |
 | All electrical installations are to be carried out by authorized electrical installation engineers only. |
| WARNING: 100…250 VAC. mains cables are present in the housing. Do not touch the cables and the power supply when the mains power is applied. Keep the housing closed and locked during normal operation. Check the cable glands on water tightness. |
B1.3 VPVision system overview
VPVision is an Ethernet-based energy monitoring system, where all collected data can be accessed in real-time from any connected PC, tablet or smartphone. The system exists of a powerful industrial hardware platform, the VPVision Main PC, on which the VPVision software is pre-installed. The VPVision Main PC hardware is installed on-premise, where it collects all the data and stores it securely.
A typical installation consists of the VPVision cabinet with multiple sensors connected via Ethernet or I/O converters for analog and Modbus sensors. Here is a quick overview of the entire installation with all connection possibilities:
Go to chapter B2 for more information on the connection possibilities.
B1.4 Extendable
VPVision is flexible and scalable, with a variety of different hardware and software options. Here is a short overview of all the options you can add now or in the future.
- P&ID Module & Plant Maps: Place real-time widgets on a background diagram. The plant map provides a clickable map for quick navigation to different department pages.
- Alarm module: Get an email when a signal or a signal combination is out of bounds.
- SQL connection module: Enables access to VPVision via standard SQL queries.
- Additional channels: Expand the system with more instrumentation.
- Additional virtual channels: Use formulas to create additional channels, e.g. flow in FAD or combine sensor outputs to 1 value.
- Software updates and service subscription contracts (a VPN or 3G/4G connection is mandatory).
We also offer on-site commissioning services for VPVision. For more details on VPVision, download the brochure from our VPVision webpage or contact our sales team.
B1.5 Steps for complete implementation
Step 1: Preparation of your VPVision project
Preparation is key to a successful VPVision installation. A detailed overview of the installation, in the form of P&ID’s and wiring diagrams, will help you to determine where to install the sensors and what is needed for proper installation and connection to VPVision.
Step 2: Communication and Settings
VPVision is a web-based energy monitoring system, that gets all of its data from the connected sensors. Prior to installation, certain setup steps have to be done. VPVision’s access needs to be configured, and the sensors will need their correct communication settings.
Step 3: Installation
The next step is the physical installation of the VPVision main cabinet itself as well as the sensors. Note that installation should be carried out by a certified professional. The connection between the sensors and VPVision can be via:
- Modbus directly into the VPVision main cabinet;
- Analog directly into the VPVision main cabinet;
- Ethernet via sensors with direct Ethernet output;
- Ethernet converter (Analog to Ethernet, Modbus to Ethernet).
Step 4: Software configuration
VPVision’s configuration is the next step. In this step, we take a look at the general settings of the system and the different outputs of the sensor. The sensor needs to be configured properly for VPVision to make use of the data. Further on in the chapter the different Widgets and Pages are discussed, these give a visual representation of the gathered data.
Step 5: Reports and alarms
Finally, it is time to make reports and set up alarms. Reports can be generated autonomously on a set time interval after which they can be sent automatically via e-mail to up to 5 different people. Setting up alarms can be a very powerful tool to keep an eye on the plant’s performance and for instance check for a failing compressor or a leaking pipe.
B1.6 Next step
Now that you have a basic understanding of what VPVision can do for you, we can start with the complete installation process. The next step is: