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The control system for the pitch heating system will be designed to
meet the unique requirements of each user and to take account of the anticipated
ambient conditions and layout of the stadium or training pitch. Control options
range from a fully integrated automated system, providing ground-based telemetry
from the pitch, enabling pitch profiling and enhanced ground management, to a
manually activated on/off system.
The pitch heating system is laid out in "Zones", each of which can be
independently controlled. This is important where it is necessary to overcome
the effects of "stand shadow" cast by the stadium roof, which may cause part of
the surface to be frozen whilst the remainder is playable. Alternatively, where
the available electrical power is restricted, the system can be programmed to
rotate the operation of the heating pads so that only a proportion of the pads
are operational at any one time. This may allow the system to remain running
during a match when the stadium power requirements are at their peak.
Telemetry
Inditherm can provide full telemetry for the heating system. This gives
ground staff the ability to monitor ground temperature and moisture conditions
as well as giving them the ability to control the pitch heating remotely.
Imagine being able to log onto your computer at home and activating your pitch
heating system; or controlling it from anywhere by your mobile 'phone?
Defrost Period
The defrost time of the pitch will depend upon the ambient conditions, the
pitch design and the mode of control. Optimum performance is achieved by running
the system in automatic mode, using temperature controls to maintain the pitch
in playable condition.
As can be seen from the photograph on this page, when it snowed in
Middlesbrough in the winter of 2004 the area heated by Inditherm remained snow
free; the same happened at the Chelsea training ground in February 2005 when
there was a heavy snowfall - the area heated by Inditherm was an island of green
in a sea of white.
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