Pump On/Off Elevations vs. Logical Controls vs SWMM Control sets

  Applies To 
  Product(s): SewerCAD, SewerGEMS, CivilStorm
  Version(s): CONNECT Edition, V8i
  Area:  Other

Problem

How are controls configured in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm? (for example to turn a pump on or off)

What is the difference between pump on/off controls, logical controls and SWMM control sets?

Solution

Starting with SewerGEMS V8i SELECTseries 3 (and also applicable in the CONNECT Edition), there are three types of Controls:

1) Logical Controls (Components > Controls)
2) Operational Controls (On/Off Elevation in pump properties)
3) SWMM Control sets (Components > SWMM Extensions > Control Sets)

Implicit Solver

When Using the Implicit Active Numerical Solver, only the On/Off Operational Controls in the pump properties can be used to control a pump.

GVF-Convex (SewerCAD) Solver

When using the GVF-Convex (SewerCAD) solver, you can use both the On/Off Operational controls (in the pump properties) and Logical Controls (Components > Controls) to control a pump. Logical Controls can also be used to do a limited number of other things such flow as a condition, and pipe status (open/closed) as an action. Note that on/off elevations will be ignored automatically if they conflict with any logical controls. If you would like to compute a steady state simulation and have pumps always respect the initial status and not attempt to use controls, set the calculation option "Use Controls During Steady State?" to "False".

Explicit (SWMM) Solver

When using the Explicit (SWMM) Solver, you can use the On/Off Operational controls, and a type of SWMM-specific control referred to as SWMM control Sets. SWMM Control Sets can perform more advanced logic such as varying the size of a conduit control structure (weir, orifice, etc). For more details, see: Using SWMM Control Sets in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm

GVF-Rational (StormCAD) solver

The GVF-Rational (StormCAD) solver (available in StormCAD, CivilStorm and SewerGEMS) does not use any controls because the GVF-Rational is Steady State only.

The easiest Controls to use during conversion from one Solver to the next is the On/Off Operational Controls (pump properties.)

See Also

"Pressure engine controls are ignored by the Implicit solver." or "Some pump on/off elevations conflict with Controls..."

Using SWMM Control Sets in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm

Creating Controls - Conditions, Actions, and Control Sets (CONNECT Edition and V8i SELECTseries 6)

Creating Controls - Conditions, Actions, and Control Sets (V8i)

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