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Managers of commercial and municipal water systems in North America can save 70 percent on energy costs with the ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller from ITT Goulds Pumps, ITT Corporation announced at WEFTEC.

The ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller is an update to the Aquavar motor-mount drive series with a new modular design and more intuitive programming for setup and troubleshooting. When mounted on inline or end-suction centrifugal pumps, it maintains proper system pressures and flows by controlling the speed of the pump, producing energy savings of up to 70 percent, compared to fixed-speed pumps. Many ITT Hydrovar customers realize less than a two-year return on investment from the reduced energy costs alone, and receive additional savings from improved pump life and lower maintenance costs.

"ITT Hydrovar controllers are easy to install and operate, and they deliver powerful energy savings," Karl Buscher, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, ITT Residential & Commercial Water, said. "We are pleased to bring this product to the North American market, as it provides great benefits to our European customers. Backed by ITT's global network of support, the ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller is sure to save money and improve the efficiency of commercial and municipal operations."

Features and benefits
In addition to high efficiency and energy savings, the ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller helps customers realize numerous benefits:

• Lower maintenance costs because the pump control software utilizes "soft" starting and stopping to minimize rapid pressure changes and increase motor life.
• Retrofit capability because the drive mounts to any TEFC motor.
• Easy programming with an illuminated, easy-to-use programming display included right on the device.
• Error log with time and date stamp and a diagnostic menu to view conditions including temperature, current and voltage values.
• Easy integration with SCADA or BMS systems; MODBUS compatible.

How variable speed controls work
The ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller adjusts the voltage and current sent to the pump motor so that the speed is increased or decreased in response to changing demand. When water demand is high – for example, in the morning when many people are showering and getting ready for the day – the controller senses a drop in system pressure and increases speed to compensate. The controller slows the pump during periods of low demand to consume less energy.

A range of options to meet customer demands
ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controllers are available for single- or multi-pump applications, and can be fitted to pumps up to 15 horsepower, and 230 or 460 volts. The ITT Hydrovar's modular design allows customers the flexibility to cost-effectively match the needs of their individual systems.

Hotels, condos, large buildings and apartment complexes often have multiple pumps to accommodate high pumping demands. ITT Hydrovar technology offers an efficient solution to running multiple variable speed controllers in pumping systems like these, allowing customers to utilize a wide range of controllable flow rates. One ITT Hydrovar equipped pump with a Master controller can incorporate up to seven additional pumps with Basic inverters to create a cost-effective, multi-pump solution. Many competitors require customers to buy systems with Master controllers for all pumps in the system; ITT Hydrovar controllers provide a more cost-effective option with communication between different types of controllers, allowing for lead and lag pumps and handling large differences in demand.

Customers can also use an ITT Hydrovar Single pump controller for speed control of one pump.

A packaged system
The ITT Hydrovar Variable Speed Controller is available as a separate unit or in a packaged system including pump, motor, fused disconnect and control. The packaged version is pre-assembled and pre-wired for simple installation; customers only need to connect plumbing, apply voltage and flip the switch to implement a water system with variable speed control.

It is available in a range of sizes up to 15 horsepower, and is preprogrammed for single-pump use, but can be programmed to control a multiple-pump system. To learn more, go to www.goulds.com.

About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2008 sales of $11.7 billion. Flygt, WEDECO, Leopold, Sanitaire, Goulds, Lowara, Vogel, Flowtronex, PumpSmart, Bell & Gossett, OPTIFLOW, Ecocirc and HYDROVAR are registered trademarks of ITT Corporation or its subsidiaries. For more information visit www.itt.com.

SOURCE: Xylem Inc.