Custom sluice gate control system for historic mill renovation
As part of a £15 million project to transform a historic mill in Peterborough into a modern residential property, T-T Controls & Automation was brought on board to automate a key part of the site’s water management: the sluice gate system. The goal was to control the flow of water beneath the house by regulating water levels at the front of the property. T-T worked in close collaboration with SBT Engineering, who handled the hydraulic installation.
One of the main challenges faced in the project was designing a bespoke electrical control system that would fit within a uniquely shaped steel enclosure provided by the client. This enclosure would then be semi-concealed by brickwork to hide the electrical and hydraulic power packs. The system also needed to operate the sluice gate automatically, based on real-time water level readings, while still offering manual control when needed.
T-T worked closely with the client to create a tailored control system that met all project requirements. The finished setup includes a high-accuracy radar sensor to continuously monitor water levels, a universal transmitter to convert the radar’s 4–20mA signal into relay outputs for the control logic and a hydraulic motor control interface that raises or lowers the sluice gate according to preset water level thresholds. A remote control pendant was also mounted on the gate frame, allowing users to easily switch between automatic and manual operation.
Before installation, the entire system was fully tested at T-T’s factory to ensure everything worked flawlessly. A T-T engineer then carried out a one-day site visit to install and commission the system, making sure it was configured correctly and ready to go.
Thanks to this smart, integrated system, the property now enjoys efficient and reliable water level control. The sluice gate operates automatically without the need for constant oversight, but manual operation remains available when necessary. The result is a discreet, effective flood control solution that blends perfectly with the mill’s new residential purpose.
