The following is an example of what a typical real world usage of a Mainstar system would look like. The Mains.VB6™ utility monitoring and control software has been installed on a master computer in the marina central offices and is accessed from the outside world via wide area network. The Mainstar Router has been located at the power distribution board and 12-way Mainstar Electronic Control Units have been located in Masters at various locations around the Marina. Controlled and monitored sockets together with Mainstar 5(32)A kWh Meters have been installed in Masters and Slaves as indicated by the number of power sockets at each marina slip location.

Your Mainstar

With no limits or restrictions on the size of the application, Mainstar is able to meet your all of your utility monitoring and control requirements. Mainstar grows with you right from an entry-level standalone monitoring and control system right through to the full suite of Mainstar components and tools that will give you total desktop and remote control over all your utilities and services.

Planning and Design

Planning and designing your own Mainstar system could not be simpler or easier to do. You can either contact us and our team of experts will be more than delighted to help you, or simply follow the basic "rules of thumb" listed below and you will soon see how Mainstar can help you monitor and control of all of your utilities.

Rules of Thumb

When planning and designing a Mainstar system of your own please keep in mind the following building block rules of thumb.

1. For a fully integrated single entry monitoring and control Mainstar System you will require the Mains.VB6™ utility monitoring and control software.
2. For large sites with more than one checking in facility you will need the upgrade to Mains.NET™ network solution utility monitoring and control software and a LAN network.
3. For remote inter-communication with your Mainstar system you will need WAN networks.
4. The Mainstar Router is located up to 1000 meters away next to the site distribution board. For distances greater than one 1000 meters additional routers to act as relays will be required. Communication from the MainsVB6™ utility monitoring and control software is via screened twisted pair cable.
5. The site will require a power grid to all the Master and Slave locations. The Master and the Slaves that it controls must be installed on the same phase of the grid being used.
6. The 12-way Mainstar Electronic Control Units are installed in Master enclosures around the site and control 12 Mainstar 5(32)A kWh Meters, 12 "on/offs", and 12 auto-disconnects and a light control. There is no limit to the number of 12-way Mainstar Electronic Control Units that can be installed on a site.
7. The Mainstar 5(32)A kWh Meters are located in Masters and Slaves that have utility points fitted to them.
8. You can have ANY combination of a Mainstar Electronic Control Unit and Mainstar 5(32)A kWh Meters up to 12-ways, the 12 "on/offs" and 12 auto-disconnects correspond to each of the meters used.
9. The Mainstar system components such as the Router, Electronic Control Unit and Mainstar 5(32)A kWh Meters MUST always be installed in enclosures with an IP rating of IP55 or greater.
10. Additional 3rd party components such a residual current devices, circuit breakers fuses, and power sockets must be wired and comply with the relevant standards and regulations for the type of installation.