Pressure, Temperature, Level & Distance Sensors & Transmitters

Process indicators for OEMs, systems integrators and panel builders

2009-01-13T15:31:00.002Z

A new range of process indicators and panel meters are now available in the UK from Aldermaston-based sensor specialist Impress Sensors & Systems.

The new range of process indicators offer total flexibility in terms of supply options, by offering process manufacturers, OEMs, machine builders, systems integrators and panel builders with a wide range of process inputs to suit temperature sensors, voltage and current output devices.

The SRP-73, for example, is a compact, programmable process meter, which has a 13mm digital, four-digit, two-colour display. The unit is available with one or two relay outputs. There's also an RS-485 interface for networking to process monitoring systems.

The SRP-94 is a larger programmable process meter, which has a 20mm LED digital, two-colour display and up to four relay outputs. The unit provides an active current output which can be taken off to another interface, and sensors can be powered from the unit's dedicated sensor power supply. The SRP-77 is similar to the SRP-94, but offers a two-row display (red and green) panel.

For customers who need to mount the indicator on a wall in a dusty or high humidity environment, the SRP-N118 is a wall-mountable process meter protected by an IP65 housing made from ABS and glass-fibre. The unit has a 20mm LED four-digit, two-colour display and two relay outputs. The unit also offers signal peak value protection.

For customers that need to mount a process meter in a remote application where high visibility is required, or where the unit is mounted on the outside of a building, the SWP-457 is ideal. This wall-mounted panel meter provides a 57mm LED four-digit display, housed in an IP65 (standard) or IP67 (optional) protected casing. There's even an optional infrared remote control unit, which provides identical buttons to the panel meter's own keypad, so that users can programme the unit without removing the casing.

Impress Sensors also offers a bar graph indicator, the SRL-49, a two- or four-relay output process meter that provides an easy-to-read, 20-point, two-colour bar graph display, which reflects 0-100% of the measuring range. This type of indicator might be used to measure the volume of liquid in a process storage tank or lubricant/coolant reservoir.

There's also a low cost panel meter option, the SWE-73. These digital indicators are ideal for mounting in large panels, so that the user can quickly view multiple displays at once.

All units in the range are available with AC or DC power supply, input types are voltage, 0-4 to 20mA or RTD temperature sensors input and provide password-protection. Impress Sensors can also supply process meters with different configurations that can take encoder, quadrature and counter frequency outputs.

All process and panel meters are available ex-stock from the UK. For more information, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk

New Inline Process Imager at a Fraction of the Cost

2008-10-30T12:57:00.006Z

A new rugged, inline, infrared thermal imaging camera has been launched that is not only comparable in terms of technical specification and performance to the latest inline thermal imagers, but costs around 60% less.

Available for £6,000, the new PI (Process Imager) is an inline radiometric thermal imaging device that provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. Included as standard is free software that enables users to both configure all the adjustable parameters of the PI and capture (at 100Hz full frame rate) and store images or an event for play back at a later date – an important feature for R&D purposes.

Rather than a handheld thermal imaging camera, the PI is fixed into position in a production process or R&D laboratory to monitor the temperature profile of target materials or objects. The camera is well suited to process control, quality and R&D applications, across a wide range of industries, including plastics, packaging, FMCG, thermoforming, automotive, paper, printing, textiles, food, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, medical engineering and machine building.

The PI has a USB 2.0 interface for real time thermography with 100Hz frame rate as standard (most competing cameras offer only 50Hz) and a cable length of up to 20m. Temperature measurement ranges are comparable with the latest inline thermal imaging cameras, with -20…100°C, 0...250°C and 120...900°C available, enabling the user to adapt the device to suit their application. System accuracy (±2°C or ±2%) is also comparable to alternative cameras currently on the market.

PCBs, LCD flat screens and brake discs

The system can be used to monitor the thermal behavior of working electronic PCBs in test stations or to check the thermal effects on mechanical components such as automotive brake discs or clutches. The device is also ideally suited to checking the homogeneity of solar heating panels, LCD flat screens and for semiconductor process applications. Other uses include temperature measurement and control in extrusion and thermoforming processes. The PI also enables users to detect for hot spots in bulk materials or products that are moving on materials handling and conveyer systems.

Similar to all industrial thermal imaging cameras, the PI uses an uncooled micro bolometer Focal Plane Array (FPA) with 160x120 pixels, offering a pixel size of 35µm x 35μm. Exchangeable lenses of 31 degrees field-of-view (FOV) and 9 degrees FOV enable temperatures to be measured across a variety of object distances, including 'close', 'standard' and 'far field' focus. The camera has good thermal sensitivity (NETD 0,08 K with 31° field-of-view; 0,3 K with 9° field-of-view), which means the device is able to show very fine temperature details of the target object.

Many process plants have maintenance technicians who patrol certain areas of the plant using relatively expensive handheld thermal imaging cameras to monitor critical processes or equipment. The PI can be installed in a fixed monitoring position next to a critical part of the production process, to constantly monitor a target material or object. The relatively low cost of the system makes it a viable option for many process plants and R&D laboratories.

The operator can choose to use a flexible spot with crosshair mark and a fixed measurement area with automatic display of maximum, minimum or average value. Temperature profiles along defined lines inside the image can be shown in a separate graph.

As well as a digital USB 2.0 interface for image processing, the PI comes with a programmable 0-10V analogue output and programmable limit switches. This means the temperature of the target or other measurement information can be re-transmitted to other logging equipment or alarms. The software provided with the PI enables the user, for example, to set up an alarm if certain process temperature limits are exceeded. A Process Interface analogue input (PIF in) allows the user to remotely adjust the emissivity of the target object or material.

The PI is extremely compact and lightweight. Made from anodised aluminium, the camera housing measures 45mm x 45mm x 62mm and weighs just 250g (including lens and 1m USB cable), enabling easy mounting in restricted spaces. The rugged device is protected to IP65 (NEMA-4) and is powered (5V DC) via the USB 2.0 interface, with a maximum current draw of 500mA.

The system is compatible with Windows XP/Vista, enabling easy integration of thermal imaging information with mini-PCs, rail mounted PCs and industrial embedded PCs and PLCs. A DLL is provided so that the user can export thermal imaging data from the process imager into customer-specific software.

The PI comes with PI Connect software as standard, which includes a recording function with radiometric video, snap shot, an analysis and post-processing of infrared images function and video. Not only does the software enable the user to configure the process imager, it also allows engineers to capture and store the images on a PC for play back at a later date. PI Connect also offers different colour palettes including iron, rainbow, black-white and inverted black-white.

For more information, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk/

Low cost pressure switches now certified for hazardous areas

2008-08-27T13:54:00.012+01:00

A range of compact, low cost pressure switches are now available that are ATEX-certified for use in Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 gaseous atmospheres.

The new 901 range of ATEX-certified pressure switches, from Aldermaston-based sensor specialist Impress Sensors, are ideal for monitoring overpressure, vacuum or differential pressure of both liquid and gaseous substances, including aggressive media, in hazardous environments. The switches can be used to monitor fluid levels and filters, as well as excessive or inadequate pressure and pressure differentials in closed systems.

The explosion-proof pressure switches are ideal for a range of explosive atmosphere environments, including nuclear, oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, sewerage and food processing.

The switches are available in a factory-set version, in which the pressure setting and switching differential are set by the manufacturer, or an adjustable version, the 901 Prescal, where the customer uses a scaled adjustment knob to alter the trip and reset pressure, without having to use a screwdriver.

A wide range of switch options are available, including pressure connections in various materials, shapes and sizes. Customers can also select from a diverse range of materials for seals and diaphragms. All switches are intrinsically safe and have been categorised as Temperature Class T4 and Explosion Group IIB or IIC.

Sam Drury, Sales Director at Impress Sensors & Systems comments: “Some of our customers need to monitor pressures in potentially explosive atmospheres. In the chemicals sector, for example, air mixtures and ignitable gases are commonplace and can cause explosions if a source of ignition is present. Therefore, industrial instrumentation devices such as pressure switches need to be protected accordingly. We are delighted to be able to offer these ATEX-certified sensors to the UK.”

The factory-set 901 switch can be set according to the customer’s specification at a fixed value between 5mbar and 12bar in the positive pressure range and between –5mbar and –900mbar in the negative pressure range. With the 901 Prescal switch, the switching pressure can be controlled using an adjustment knob.

For pressurized connection, there is a choice of plastic or metal hose connectors or threaded couplings.

For more information, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk

Temperature, pressure and level switches now come with SIL2 approval

2008-08-05T08:44:00.010+01:00

A UK-based company is now offering a range of temperature limiters/controllers, pressure transmitters, screw-in transmitters, submersible probes and level control switches, all with SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level 2) approval for hazardous environments.

The new range, supplied by Impress Sensors & Systems, a specialist manufacturer and distributor of sensors, instrumentation and complete system packages, based in Aldermaston, Berkshire – is targeted at safety and hazardous area applications, including process manufacturers, chemicals, oil and gas, nuclear and Atomic Weapons establishments. The devices are also suitable for medical device applications.

The process industry demands the highest degree of safety and reliability these days. The current Safety Integrity Level (SIL) international safety standard provides suppliers and users with a common framework on which to design products and systems for safety related applications. The standard also provides a more scientific, numerical approach to specifying and designing safety systems, enabling the nature of the risk to be quantified.

SIL means risk reduction to a tolerable level. The required safety level of a process plant is classified in accordance with the international IEC 61 511 standard and depends on the risk constituted by a plant. The IEC 61 508 standard describes the requirements of electrical, electronic and programmable electronic devices used in such plants. Both standards subdivide plants and devices into 4 safety levels, from SIL1 for low risks, to SIL4 for very high risks. The allocation to these safety levels is based on the use of a risk graph and depends on:

• Extent of possible damage

• Frequency of persons present in hazardous areas

• Possibility of damage prevention

• Probability of an unwanted event occurring

The standards also describe the type of risk assessment and procedures for integrating certain safety functions into sensors and plants. Generally, the significant hazards for equipment and any associated control system have to be identified by the specifiers or developers via a hazard analysis. The analysis identifies whether functional safety is necessary to ensure adequate protection against each significant hazard.

Examples within safety related systems for mechanical engineering include auxiliary disconnected systems; fire detector and gas warning systems; monitoring of turbines; safety interlock and auxiliary disconnected systems for machines; devices for medical applications; and remote monitoring based on network, handling and programming of procedural constructions.

For more information, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk

Low cost portable, battery-operated and panel-mounted data recorders

2008-07-22T10:00:00.008+01:00

A UK-based company is now offering a range of low cost portable, battery-operated and panel-mounted data recorders that are ideal for carrying out instrumentation checks and data logging functions across a range of process manufacturing industries.

The new data recorders, supplied by Impress Sensors & Systems, a specialist manufacturer and distributor of sensors, instrumentation and complete system packages, based in Aldermaston, Berkshire – is targeted at service engineers, installation engineers, process engineers and test engineers in process environments, particularly water and sewerage and environmental testing companies.

The SRD-99 is the panel mount version, which records and displays current values and technical parameters in the form of graphs, numerical characters, a channel list or real time logged values. The device has 1, 4 or 8 temperature (Pt100/500/1000) or current (0/4-20mA) inputs, one impulsive input for controlling the recording process and one USB host port for flash data storage.

The USB port is located on the front of the unit and enables the user to easily and quickly download recorded data from the device and transfer this to a PC for further analyses. Sam Drury, Sales & Marketing Director at Impress Sensors & Systems comments: “The USB port is an interesting feature that, unlike many other data recording systems on the market, allows the engineer to download recorded data very easily and quickly via a couple of button clicks. The device is also low cost but of comparable quality to other currently available systems. The unit also has a digital input, so that users can trigger the recording of measurements by an event in the process.

The SRD-99 has a 2MB internal memory capacity, enabling up to 500,000 data recordings in total before the data needs to be downloaded. The unit comes with free software, Loggy Soft, which enables visualisation, archiving and printing of measurements. The SRD Toolkit software enables configuration of the device via a PC rather than pushbuttons, using an RS485 Modbus RTU serial interface.

For applications where security is a risk, there’s an option to upgrade the device to include a lockable transparent door with security key. This security unit is rated to IP42 (DIN 40050) and has all-round soft rubber sealing. Also available is a waterproof IP65 cover.

The SRD-P130 is a portable, battery-operated or mains operated version of the SRD-99. Ideal for recording and displaying current or averaged values of process parameters, with graphical trends also displayed, the device is ideal for mobile data acquisition in harsh environments. The unit can be left for up to one week working on battery power without charging.

The unit is housed in a waterproof, dustproof, high impact resistant housing (Peli case) and is therefore able to withstand a variety of difficult environments, including high humidity, high temperature surges, high dust concentrations and pressure changes.

The SRD-P130 was originally developed to record operating parameters of water and sewage intermediate pumping stations; checking the pressure in water pumping stations; recording of water level changes in rivers; and for recording the operating parameters in central heating stations and heat feeding centres. However, the device is suitable for use in all types of process manufacturing environments.

The SRD-P130 has four measuring inputs and input for monitoring the battery voltage. The unit comes with free set up and recording software, Loggy Soft and SRD Toolkit.

For more information on Impress Sensors’ range of SRD data recorders, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk

Pressure sensors ideal for viscous fluids and withstand wash downs

2008-07-18T16:51:00.011+01:00

A range of ceramic and stainless steel pressure sensors for viscous and gaseous media is now available, which not only withstand frequent wash downs and temperatures of up to 300°C, but are also certified for use in explosive atmosphere (ATEX, Zone 0) environments.

The DMK 331P is a ceramic pressure sensor with a flush stainless steel diaphragm, ideal for viscous and gaseous media. Supplied by Impress Sensors & Systems – a specialist manufacturer and distributor of sensors, instrumentation and complete system packages, based in Aldermaston, Berkshire – the sensor is targeted at any process environment where viscous fluids are present, including food & dairy manufacturing, paper & pulp, water & waste treatment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Due to its ceramic housing, the DMK 331P shows excellent thermal characteristics and therefore withstands frequent wash downs with chemicals and water. Special versions of the sensor are also available with a cooling element that enables the sensor to be used in temperatures up to 300°C. Nominal pressure ranges are from 0…1 bar up to 0… 400 bar. Accuracy is ± 0.5% FSO (IEC 60770). A variety of electrical and mechanical connections are available.

The DMP 331P is a piezoresistive stainless steel pressure sensor that has a flush pressure port made with inch, clamp and dairy pipe connections. The sensor also benefits from small thermal effects and excellent linearity. For higher process temperatures, an optional integrated cooling element can be added that enables temperatures up to 300°C. The sensor is suitable for use in ATEX Zone 0 environments. Nominal pressure ranges are from 0…100mbar up to 0…40 bar. Accuracy is 0.35%/0.25% FSO (IEC 60770).

Both sensors come with silicon oil as standard, but other filling oils are available, including food-compatible oils and Halocarbon. Other types of pressure port and chemical seals are also available.

For more information, contact the sales department at Impress Sensors & Systems Ltd on 0118 981 7980 or visit the website at www.impress-sensors.co.uk