Water Resource Management in Nuevo León: The Horner PLC Solution

Facing growing water shortages, Nuevo León is in urgent need of smarter, more reliable solutions for managing water resources. Many residents are being charged for water they don’t receive due to air passing through meters. To combat this issue, implementing an automated water monitoring system becomes essential. This article explores how the Horner X4 PLC delivers a powerful, affordable, and scalable solution for residential and industrial water resource management.

The Problem: Inaccurate Water Metering

As water scarcity intensifies, improper billing has surfaced as a serious concern. In many homes, air is being measured as water, leading to inflated costs for consumers. The solution? A smart control system that can:

• Monitor water tank levels and pipe pressure in real-time

• Log alarms and historical data

• Control valves and pumps based on accurate sensor data

Technical Challenges in Water Monitoring

1. Precise Flow Sensor Integration

The system must integrate flow sensors capable of being calibrated and replaced without stopping operations. Readings should show accumulated and instantaneous flow rates, ideally with visual animation for easy interpretation.

2. Analog Signal Scaling

Analog inputs (4–20 mA) must be scaled to reflect meaningful values:

• Tank level: 0–2 meters

• Pipe pressure: 0–100 PSI

These values should be displayed as both numerical and graphical data for accurate monitoring.

3. Remote Access and Historical Logging

The system must support:

• Electrical control for valve and motor activation

• Data logging for long-term tracking and compliance

• Remote visualization and control from any internet-connected device

The Solution: Horner X4 PLC for Smart Water Control

The Horner Micro OCS Series – X4 Model was chosen for its compact size and robust features. This controller includes:

• Digital and analog I/O ports

• High-Speed Counter (HSC) support

• 4-inch touchscreen for real-time visualization

• Ethernet for remote control via WebMI

• microSD slot for local data backups

Implementation Using Cscape Software

Using Cscape, Horner’s proprietary programming platform, engineers:

• Developed the HMI interface for graphical and numeric display

• Used Advanced Ladder Logic to automate outputs based on sensor inputs

• Connected fluid sensors to the HSC and converted frequency (Hz) to flow (L/s)

• Configured analog inputs with custom scaling to represent water levels and pressure accurately

Benefits of Using Horner PLC for Water Management

• Real-time monitoring of water flow and pressure

• Alarm logging and data tracking for future analysis

• Remote management through WebMI

• Scalable and replaceable hardware components

Conclusion: Smart Water Resource Management for Nuevo León

With its flexible architecture, integrated interface, and intelligent control, the Horner X4 PLC offers a robust solution to the ongoing water management crisis in Nuevo León. Whether for residential monitoring or industrial infrastructure, this system brings precision, control, and transparency to your water usage.

Ready to optimize your water system? Contact our specialists today and explore how Horner PLC solutions can help manage water resources more effectively.