Vertical turbine pumps (VT Pumps) and Positive suction Centrifugal pumps are used in Kerala Water Authority when the suction lift is more than 6 meters and when the suction head is positive respectively and  where high discharge is needed. The pump capacity varies from 50HP to 600HP and all most all raw water pump houses discharging water to WTP and clear water pumping from WTP uses these types of pumps in Kerala Water Authority.

The challenge here is to develop cost effective technology for automating these pumps. Since the discharge is high and population covered is also high, utmost caution is required to take up the automation of this type of pumps. The system should ensure full motor protection and should be compatible with different types of starters viz VFD, Soft Starter, Star Delta, DOL, FCMA etc and should be compatible with old and new type of motors. The system should protect the pumps and other installations from conditions like dry sump, motor dry, foot valve blocked, air lock, impeller jam, high ampere, overload, under load and electrical fluctuations like over voltage, under voltage, phase changes, single phasing. The electric supply to these stations is through 440V, 3.3KV, 6.6KV or 11KV voltages controlled by transformers and substations to the respective pump as designed by the manufacturer. The system shall generate logs and error logs for all success and failure conditions.

Please refer to relevant details of these types of pumps (VT & Positive Section Centrifugal) and working from manufacturers and web media.