OBJECTIVE
This technical information details the new PID cascade algorithm that can be selected within the OpenTherm page of the RegConfig Configurator.
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The following image shows, within the OpenTherm page of the RegConfig, the position of the Heating System Cascade control Algorithm Control section (red) and the Secondary Heating Buffer tank Compensation Temperature Compensation section (blue), closely related to the PID cascade algorithm:
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Enabled OpenTherm generators are those generators that have a number (which can range from 1, highest priority, to 8, lowest priority) in the Generators section (highlighted in green) on the OpenTherm page and not OFF in the box corresponding to the “Heat/Cool” column. The number indicates the priority of the call, so in the image below G1 and G3 generators have priority 1 (they are called first), while G2 has priority 2 and G4 priority 3:
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Attenzione: non utilizzare G0 in quanto è il generatore OpenTherm utilizzato con il prodotto DOT, non con il sistema REG, quindi nella logica di cascata non viene mai considerato. Warning
Do not use G0 as it is the OpenTherm generator used with the DOT product, not with the REG system, therefore it is never considerate in the cascade logic.
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However, it is important to underline that “PID Cascade” and “Buffer Tank Compensation Temperature” are two different and separate functions, which can operate together or separately (e.g., the “Buffer Tank Compensation Temperature” can be also used for other types of cascade algorithms, and also for Parallel functioning), which incidentally “share” the same sensor, as the requirement for both algorithms is to monitor the “final” temperature provided by the group of generators.
Note
The “Buffer Tank Compensation Temperature” is not the subject of this technical part, which instead focuses on the “PID Cascade”.
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so, if we consider a delta T of 4 K and a delay T of 5 minutes before switching on a second generator, then the value of Pid I to be entered is 87 (1740 / 4 * 5). The lower the Pid I parameter, the more time will pass before an additional generator is added.
Note
The values 160 and 1740 were derived from formulas implemented for this specific algorithm!
N. Start Generators: indicates the number of generators that are switched on starting from the condition “all OpenTherm generators are off”. For example, let us assume that the Start generators number is 2: you are in the condition “all OpenTherm generators are off” and the cascade algorithm results in only one generator switched on, but at least two generators are switched on at the same time. After switch-on (and therefore at least after the time indicated by “Stop between changes”) the algorithm may assess if the number of generators is appropriate to the demand of the system (and therefore leave it unchanged) or decrease or increase it; the number of generators at the start is useful if there are systems with many generators. Let us suppose we have a system with 8 generators: if the system starts with only one generator and then every “Stop between changes” (typically 3 minutes) adds another one, it will pass at least 21 minutes before the system goes at full speed; instead, if we set the initial number at 4, the system starts immediately with 4 generators, and then we decide if increase this number (and, in any case, in 12 minutes it would go to the maximum) or decrease it.
N. Minimum Generators: indicates the minimum number of active generators. If, for example, it is set to 3 and 3 generators are currently active, even if the cascade algorithm were to determine the need to switch off a further generator, none would be switched off; in another way, they would have never left on less than 3 generators on (Note: this means that the REG System enables 3 generators which can then decide to switch off the flame/compressor, because they determine that their water outlet temperature is satisfied).
N. Maximum Generators: indicates the maximum number of generators that can be switched on at the same time. If 5 generators are enabled, but the maximum number is 3, this means that the algorithm can switch on maximum 3 generators, even though 4 would be needed. This choice has the direct consequence that the set point may never be reached or that may be reached but over a long period of time.
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The lower part of the OpenTherm page shows for each generator the result of the heating/cooling and DHW requests (red box) and the feedback from the generators to the REG System (yellow):PHOTO TBD
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Highlighted in red you have:
The demand for H = Heating, W = DHW, and C = Cooling;
The required temperature in heating or cooling [°C];
The power required in heating or cooling [%].
Warning
If the generator is used for DHW production only both the required temperature and power are zero, the values that are passed in case of DHW production are those that are displayed in Generator Demand Status (top right of the OpenTherm page)
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