Advertorials

Intrinsic Safety is one of a few methods available for ex-hazardous areas and is mainly used for measuring and control instruments like pressure transmitters.

The term hazardous area can be confusing. Hazardous area refers to any location with combustible material such as gases, dusts, or fibres that might produce an ignitable mixture. A hazardous area can be a sealed room filled with a volatile material or an area that is open to normal foot traffic, such as the area around a gas pump.

A device termed intrinsically safe is designed to be incapable of producing heat or spark sufficient to ignite an explosive atmosphere. Intrinsic safety (IS) is a protection technique that works by limiting the energy available for ignition. Devices or wiring are not intrinsically safe alone, only when employed in a properly designed IS system. Such systems are usually provided with detailed instructions to ensure safe use and maintenance. A measuring instrument certified for use in a hazardous area will be designed to operate with low voltage and current, and will be designed without any large capacitors or inductors that could discharge in a spark. The instrument will be connected, using approved wiring methods, back to a control panel in a non-hazardous area that contains safety barriers. The safety barriers ensure that no accidental contact occurs between the instrument circuit and outside power sources. No more than the approved voltage or current enters the hazardous area.

The most important advantage of intrinsic safety is that it is the only technique that is allowed to be used under Zone 0/20 of the IEC Classification system for hazardous areas. Other techniques like explosion proof (Exd) or any of the many other methods of protection cannot be used in Zone 0/20.

Overall, intrinsic safety is the safest, least expensive, and easiest-to-install method of protection available. With intrinsic safety, system integrity is not a concern because explosions cannot occur. Low energy requirements eliminate shock hazards and safety “hot” permits so field instruments can be calibrated and maintained while power is on. The affinity to newer technology is one reason intrinsic safety is becoming the dominant protection method.

ESI Technology has a range of ATEX and IECEx pressure transmitters designed for use in hazardous areas.  All of our intrinsically safe pressure sensors provide a 4-20mA output.

Our ATEX/ IECEx pressure sensors are available in gauge, absolute, vacuum and differential pressure measurement format. Custom pressure ranges are also available.  Visit www.esi-tec.com for more details or contact our sales team sales@esi-tec.com

Status Instruments has used state of the art technology to develop a powerful but cost effective ‘smart’ powered conditioner with features usually only found in more expensive conditioners.

Suitable for frequency or pulse generating sensors, meaning  it is ideal for use with flow meters or pulse counting applications, the SEM 1600F has an advanced mode were maths functions can be applied. This allows differential flow or pulse counts to be compared. For example, flow measured going into a process minus flow measured on the output of a process allows the product to calculate the consumption of the process. With an integral totalise function, when the consumption reaches a programmed total or increment, the product can be programmed to trip/pulse a relay contact.  K factor and M factors can also be applied via the software, allowing the SEM1600F to be calibrated specifically to the flow sensor used.

The output stage offers either voltage, bipolar voltage or active/passive current re-transmission signals. The retransmission signal can be ranged to a scale anywhere within the process range.  The product comes with an AC/DC power supply that will operate in the range (10 to 40) VDC and (10 to 32) VAC.

For more information visit www.status.co.uk

DJB Instruments UK Ltd has added two IEPE accessories to their range of accelerometers and instrumentation. The new VB/01 is a low cost battery powered single channel IEPE accelerometer supply which provides 4mA constant current supply at 18VDC, with LED indicators for power, short circuit and open circuit it is perfect for field testing where no mains power is available.

The new 8401 IEPE sensor simulator is the first in a range of simulator products due for launch in 2014. The 8401 installs in place of an IEPE accelerometer (or other sensor) and accepts signals from a voltage function generator. This allows the user to verify signal conditioning settings and cable integrity, the 8401 uses the power from the IEPE signal conditioning to complete the checks.

Commenting on the new products, DJB’s Technical Manager, Gary Chadwick said ‘Though these products are far from unique we have tried to improve their cost effectiveness and the amount of sensor feedback available to the user. At the same time we have used them as the basis for new products that will create genuine progression through integrating multiple requirements into one product.’

Available to order now, the VB/01 and 8401 simulator details are available on the website.

For more details and to receive a quotation call Sales on +44 (0) 1638 712 288 or email sales@djbinstruments.com

www.djbinstruments.com

Sensirion is known for its innovative products, customized solutions and excellent support. Our products set the standard in markets around the world. At this year’s edition of Sensor+Test 2014, we will exhibit new and refined sensor solutions for measuring gas and liquid flow, differential pressure, humidity and temperature. Among other things, you can learn more about the products illustrated here:

Environmental sensing for a smarter life

Sensirion opens up new possibilities for the wearable and mobile market with its unique chip-scale packaging technology for the humidity and temperature sensor SHTW1. With miniature dimensions of just 1.3 x 0.7 x 0.5 mm and low energy consumption the SHTW1 will create the foundation for an endless array of applications.

Various versions of differential pressure sensors

Millions of our differential pressure and flow sensors are in operation in the field. Their industry-leading long-term stability is well proven in hundreds of different applications. The sensors come with fully calibrated digital or analog output and have the highest sensitivity and accuracy. The most recent versions feature low power consumption, extended measurement ranges, failsafe certification, and calibration for measuring mass flow in a bypass configuration.

Incredibly small liquid flow sensor

The LPG series offers the most compact liquid flow sensors available today, enabling outstanding performance and speed in the smallest of spaces. The innovative design features our highly sensitive microchip, which measures the flow in a planar microfluidic substrate from the outside of the flow channel. Fluidic ports on the bottom allow easy integration into manifold systems.

Sensirion AG, headquartered in Staefa, Switzerland, is the world’s leading manufacturer of digital microsensors and systems. The product range includes humidity and temperature sensors, mass flow controllers, gas and liquid flow sensors, and differential pressure sensors. An international network with sales offices in the USA, Germany, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea supplies international OEM customers with tailor-made sensor system solutions for a vast range of applications. Among other things, these include analytical instruments, consumer goods and automobiles, as well as the medical and HVAC industries. One of the hallmark features of Sensirion products is the use of patented CMOSens® Technology. CMOS-based sensor elements and systems permit intelligent system integration, including calibration and a digital interface. Sensirion’s credentials as a reliable OEM supplier are underscored by its ISO/TS 16949 certification.

Contact: www.sensirion.com, info@sensirion.com, Tel. +41 44 306 40 00, Fax +41 44 306 40 30

Bury St. Edmunds – UK – December 2013: Switching and sensing solutions leader Herga Technology has added a new low cost all-electronic foot potentiometer that provides a variable voltage output proportional to the position of the pedal. Aimed at applications across medical equipment, domestic appliance, office and industrial machinery, the robust 6210-VO features a solid state optical sensor for wear free operation with extremely long and reliable life of more than one million operations. The unit is designed for use on manually operated equipment with control input ratings from 4.5 to 12 VDC at 10 mA, enabling precise adjustment for functions such as motor speed or torque for lifting, mixing, dispensing, cutting and sealing – and all areas where a low cost means of providing manually controlled variable functions is required for maximum productivity.

The 6210-VO meets EN 60950 low voltage directive standards and has EN 60529 IPX2 protection rating. A durable thermoplastic pedal housing includes a spring return mechanism that provides a high level of operational comfort. The compact unit measures just 105 x 140 x 40 (w x d x h) and the scope of supply – even for low quantity applications – includes fully customised colours and logos as well as choice of connection method to customers’ requirements.

Herga Technology, a part of the Variohm Holdings Group, manufacturers a comprehensive range electrically and pneumatically actuated foot and hand switching controls in standard or custom designs that meet a wide range of international approvals including IEC/UL 60601.

For more information, please visit www.variohm.com

On May 6, a rocket will lift off bound for the International Space Station (ISS). On board will be a liquid flow sensor from Sensirion AG, Stäfa, Switzerland. The sensor is part of a research project by Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota that is investigating the impact of microgravity on the effectiveness of liquid flow. Among other potential findings, the project aims to shed light on the effects of weightlessness on the circulatory system.

The LS16 liquid flow sensor from Sensirion on board the ISS will measure the flow of demineralized water generated by a piezoelectric pump in zero gravity, and compare the results with those of a control experiment on earth. Numerous applications in fluid dynamics, physics, biology and hemodynamics (the forces involved in the circulation of blood) will benefit from these findings. The research team is extremely satisfied with the sensor. “Our experience with the Sensirion LS16 sensor has been outstanding – the LS16 has been accurate, precise and durable,” says Max Thompson, Student Project Manager at Minnehaha Academy. But Sensirion did not just supply the sensor for the experiment, its developers also helped out in an advisory function. For instance, the LS16 liquid flow sensor had to be modified for the launch: to ensure that the sensor could withstand the enormous forces during lift-off, Sensirion’s development team replaced the capillary glass tubes with robust capillary steel tubes. “Our project would not have been possible without the generosity, time and amazing commitment from Sensirion to make the flow sensor flight-ready,” says Max Thompson.

Sensirion stands for innovation. Existing and new products from Sensirion continue to set standards and show that in the measurement of temperature, humidity, gas and liquid flows using sensors, Sensirion’s expertise and innovative drive have made it number one worldwide. The research team at Minnehaha Academy was delighted to have Sensirion’s support: “Sensirion has been a champion of companies to have as a partner to make this student-designed project a reality.”

For more information, please visit www.sensirion.com

The ADLINK USB-2405 is a dynamic signal acquisition module featuring high accuracy and excellent dynamic performance, directly acquiring signals from the IEPE accelerometers and microphones commonly used in vibration and acoustic applications without extra signal conditioning. The included time-frequency analysis software, Visual Signal DAQ Express, simplifies acquisition and analysis of noise and vibration signals for instant results, in an easy-to-use application with interactive user interface.

Combining high accuracy, excellent performance, and powerful analysis application Visual Signal DAQ Express, the USB-2405 is the best choice for a portable time-frequency spectrum analyzer for machine diagnostics and failure prevention, research, and portable field measurement, and especially for handheld meter and benchtop analysis users who seek improved performance and functionality while conserving costs while maintaining basic analysis capability, such that projects are expedited easily and efficiently.

For more information, please visit www.adlinktech.com

The range of wireless sensors from Industrial Interface allow the value of virtually any process parameter to be transferred wirelessly to a range of receiver units. These receiver units can either re-form the parameter as a 4-20mA or digital contact output or hold the values in Modbus registers to be read by any RS232/485 or industrial Ethernet Communications network.

We also have receivers with build-in GPRS modems which allow the data obtained from the wireless sensors to be transferred to remote servers.

Our systems have been used exensively by customers such as Rolls Royce Aerospace, Coca-Cola, British Sugar and a range of water utility companies to provide sometimes standard and sometimes bespoke wireless solutions. Parameters such as hydraulic pressure, temperature, vibration and volt-free contacts form water, gas and electricity meters have all been monitored wirelessly and the data logged either locally or remotely and then accessed via Web Pages using standard web browsers.

For more information please visit www.industrialinterface.co.uk or call Martin Sime on 01242 251794

Brownell has introduced an Electronic Relative Humidity Indicator as an alternative to paper and chemical colour based indicators.

The new Electronic Humidity uses a polymer humidity sensor combined with a thermocouple to provide a digital display reading of relative humidity, ambient temperature and dewpoint. The operating range of the electronic relative humidity indicator is 5 to 80%RH, -20^oC to +15^oC dewpoint and -20^oC to 60^oC temperature.

Traditional humidity indicator papers rely on a distinctive colour change usually from blue to pink to signify a dry to wet humidity change.  The humidity indication range for paper indicators is from 10% to 70% RH, although this must be specified at an ambient temperature and tolerance range.

The electronic RH indicator removes the uncertainty associated with temperature by converting the readings to dewpoint. Dewpoint is an absolute measure and is not influenced by temperature.

Dewpoint indicates the temperature to which the system or instrument can be cooled before condensation (or frost) will occur.  This qualifies dewpoint as a quality control standard for specify an operating performance for systems and instruments.

The Electronic Indicator is mounted in a robust IP67 enclosure with a membrane press switch to activate the three readings in sequence. Optional thread mounting or bulkhead flange fixing is available.

The operational battery life is typically 10 years.

For more information, please visit www.brownell.co.uk

HBM On Tour 2014 – a series of workshops and seminars – is being held at the Williams Conference Centre in Oxfordshire on the 11^th and 12^th June to help update engineering knowledge on the latest DAQ techniques and equipment as well as giving delegates invaluable hands-on experience.

Each of the seminars contains significant practical elements enabling delegates to undertake a variety of exercises on specially equipped workstations while benefiting from expert advice.  Delegates will also be given a chance to go on a tour of the world’s largest collection of Grand Prix Formula 1 racing cars and there will be many opportunities to network and share ideas with colleagues from different areas of engineering. Delegates will have to choose one of two possible options that are available on each day and places are limited.

On 11^th June delegates can opt for either a workshop on “The Installation of Strain Gauges and an Overview Of Optical Strain Gauges’ or a workshop on “Professional Measurement Software Made Easy”.

The strain gauge workshop will look at the principles of measuring with strain gauges and how they work which will include an in-depth examination of the different types of strain gauge along with their properties and technical data. The different types of adhesive and covering agents that are available to ensure accurate measurement with strain gauges will also be covered in the workshop and there will be practical exercises to fit a strain gauge on a bending beam. Other aspects of the workshop include how to measure strain and compensating for different aspects such as temperature that might adversely affect measurements. Information on using fibre optical strain gauges is also included in the workshop.

The workshop on “Professional Measurement Software Made Easy” focuses on variants of HBM’s catman® DAQ software including catman, catmanEasy and catmanAP. Topics covered include configuring the devices and installing the software. Delegates will be shown how to connect to a QuantumX unit along with utilising Live Update as well as how to best use filters. An in-depth look at the sensor database and the use of TEDS will also be covered along with visualisations and creating DAQ jobs in catman.

By contrast the choices on the 12^th June are either a workshop on the “Practical Use of Modern Day Data Acquisition Systems” or a seminar on “Efficiency Testing on Electric Drive Trains”. The workshop on modern day data acquisition systems will look at various developments in DAQ technology including the digitization of analogue signals and the different kinds of A-to-D converter as well as the impact of sample rate, aliasing effect and filter characteristics. The workshop includes three practical exercises to challenge delegates enabling them to explore various theoretical concepts with the trainers and the key capabilities of HBM’s Glyphworks will be introduced.

The electric drive seminar looks at the importance of torque and the different methods that it can be measured as well as the importance of calibration. There will then be an examination of the different methods of measuring power on inverters that will look at different ways of obtaining measurements and consider calculations of both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal quantities. The trainers will also introduce HBM’s e-drive solution that covers the connection of a GEN3i to an inverter, displaying the raw data and how efficiency can be calculated with a formula database.

HBM On Tour 2014 represents a wonderful opportunity for engineers to deepen their knowledge of new measurement technologies and quickly learn how to use modern systems effectively and safely. HBM’s team of highly trained facilitators will conduct the workshops and seminars and further information can be found on HBM’s web site.

HBM

Founded in Germany in 1950, HBM is today the technology and market leader in the field of test and measurement. HBM’s product range comprises solutions for the entire measurement chain, from virtual to physical testing. The company has production facilities in Germany, USA and China and is represented in over 80 countries worldwide.