Description

MERLIN XT is a compact, durable field unit that monitors the operation of a rectifier and transmits data using satellite communication. It is designed for use in areas where no cellular service is available.

MERLIN XT monitors carry out the functional checks of rectifier output (voltage and current) required in order to ensure a continuous CP supply to the pipeline and to comply with regulatory guidelines. Because they are usually deployed in remote locations, they will very quickly repay their capital cost when compared to monthly manual checks.

MERLIN XT checks that the rectifier remains powered by its external electrical supply (including from a solar station or wind turbine). If the power fails, an alarm is transmitted immediately and its internal batteries take over monitoring for up to 2 years.

MERLIN XT controls an external relay, allowing synchronized interruption cycles to be started and stopped directly from iCPSM web software. It can also monitor ON and OFF potentials at the pipeline.

Installation is quick and fully automatic. Data is transmitted to the system HQ, where it is accessed online using Abriox’s iCPSM web interface. Users can configure and control MERLIN monitors, take on-demand readings, view rectifier CP data in graphical and numerical formats or export data for further analysis and archiving.

MERLIN XT can be seamlessly integrated with cellular MERLIN monitors for a total rectifier monitoring solution.

Benefits

• Full global coverage
• Integrates with MERLIN cellular rectifier monitors for the most economic total network solution
• Alarms when protection inadequate or power fails at rectifier
• Eliminates cost of routine monthly measurements at very remote locations
• Technicians’ travel time freed for data interpretation and follow-up
• Improves health and safety risks
• Zero carbon footprint for CP monitoring

Features

• Hourly check on all rectifier channels
• Immediate alarm generation (user preset thresholds on all channels)
• Weekly report with min, max and average of all parameters for the week
• Control of rectifier output relay for remote synchronized interruption
• Pipeline locate feature (offered on MERLIN XT Excel)
• AC powered (110V to 230V) with 2-year battery backup
• DC power option for solar station or wind turbine
• Robust lightning protection
• IP65 ingress protection
• Wide operating temperature for all extremes
• Fully automatic test and set up (no laptop required)
• Fast messaging (typically less than 1 minute) via satellite meshed constellation
• Web control with graphical/tabular displays and data export

User Alerts	Synchronized Interruption
User-settable high and low alarm thresholds for all measurement channels.	Control output to drive (optional) external relay for OFF potential measurement, interruption or to switch off the CP output.
Electrical Supply Monitoring	Health and Safety
Alarm generated if power supply fails – so that protection can quickly be restored to the pipeline (MERLIN backup batteries last for 2 years).	No risk assessments or lone worker issues at hazardous sites. Protects technicians from exposure to voltages and currents.
On Demand Readings	Custom Reports
Real-time readings can be requested via software and/or from a cellphone in the field.	Data automatically archived and presented in custom report formats or exported to other standard applications.
Environmental	Cost Reduction
Eliminates the impact of emissions from survey vehicles, saves thousands of driving miles per month, zero carbon footprint.	Achieves rapid financial payback on the huge cost of taking frequent manual measurements
Satellite Communications	Health and Safety
Global satellite coverage ensures reliable communications anywhere in the world.	No risk assessments or lone worker issues at hazardous sites. Protects technicians from exposure to voltages and currents.
Diagnostic Mode	Battery backup
Diagnostic (hourly readings) mode for problem- solving for short periods.	2 year operation in the event of a power failure.
GPS Synchronization	Weight
An on-board GPS module enables precise time synchronization of all MERLIN monitors on a pipeline. It also provides a link to mapping software for accurate positioning.	3.9Kg (8.5lb)
Operational Temperatures	IP Rating
-35°C to +70°C (-31°F to +158°F). 100% condensing humidity.	The MERLIN XT is IP65 rated. Offering protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing and hose-directed water.
Lightning Protection	Daily or Weekly Reports
Surge protection on all external inputs and outputs. 2,500A at 3,000V (8/20us). Additional protection using recommended surge arrestors.	Custom reporting periods allow daily or weekly reporting.

Lightning Protection

Testing performed on the new MERLIN design showed that:

• A “naked” MERLIN easily survives 2500A at 3kV (8/20us pulse) via AC or from the pipeline – a substantial surge.
• With Abriox’s recommended external surge arrestors in place, the MERLIN withstands10kA, 10kV without damage - a massive surge.
•  Even bigger surges (29kA) can be survived by MERLIN - but the external surge arrestors may be blown to pieces

Technical Specification

As well as monitoring voltage/current output and checking the external electrical supply to the rectifier, MERLIN XT takes CP measurements (ON and OFF potentials) and can be remotely synchronized with other MERLIN (cellular or satellite) units on a pipeline for CIS (Close Interval Surveys) or DCVG (Direct Current Voltage Gradient) surveys.

Measurements

The MERLIN XT Excel model additionally controls a solid state Interrupter to provide a signal for tracing the pipeline route.

Select from 2 models:

Model	Electrical Supply	Rectifier Voltage	Rectifier Current	Rectifier 2nd Current	ON/OFF Potential	Remote Synch	Pipeline Locate
XT Super				or
XT Excel				or

Communications

For areas of the world where there is no GSM coverage, the MERLIN XT Transformer Rectifier Monitor offers 100% global satellite communication.

Abriox selected the Iridium system for its high performance and high integrity. Among its many advantages over other satellite systems are:

• Compact antenna
• No satellite antenna alignment concerns
• Low power consumption
• Large data packets
• Low, uniform, message latency

The last point here is very important - some satellite systems can take up to an hour to send/receive a message if the system is busy, Iridium is 20 sec to 2 minutes (maximum). This is because the Iridium meshed constellation relays data from satellite to satellite without touching ground until it is downlinked at an Iridium gateway.

This means the MERLIN XT can be very quickly installed with negligible waiting time – a huge advantage to our customers.