Instrumentation
Staff -- Plant Engineering, 3/1/2005
Smart level sensor
TrueCap Model MK-2 RF capacitance point level sensor features a universal power supply, external LED status indication, automatic temperature/capacitance compensation, push-button calibration, and remote option for applications with high temperature or vibration.
Monitor Technologies LLC monitortech.com Write 327 on PE card
Process controller
Series 3820 process controller has a selectable alternating function for pump up or pump down applications. A standard feature is the on-delay for the second pump after a power failure condition, which lowers power demand. Controller can retransmit analog signals to multiple devices, includes 30-point linearization for extremely nonlinear signals, and increased accuracy for horizontal tank applications.
DigiTec automatictiming.com Write 328 on PE card
Limit controller
The "+" family of controllers is expanded to include limit control. Limit controllers shut down a process if process parameters exceed preset safe-condition limits. Used to prevent safety hazards and equipment damage in ovens and furnace in the plastics, packaging, and heat treating industries, limit controllers use a latching relay that cannot be reset until the process is in a safe condition.
Danaher Industrial Controls dancon.com Write 329 on PE card
Precision flowmeters
FL-3600 through FL-3900 series precision flowmeters measure air, water, and gases with up to ±2% of full-scale accuracy and 0.25% of full-scale repeatability. Units feature easy-to-read millimeter scales, and are supplied with correlation charts for air and water. The scale is fused on the metering tube in 1-mm increments.
Omega Engineering, Inc. omega.com Write 330 on PE card
Thermal imaging
ThermoView Ti30 thermal imager is designed specifically for infrared (IR) predictive maintenance (PdM). IR thermography is important to PdM because a radiometric, thermal image shows absolute temperatures across a full, two-dimensional picture making problem identification more effective than with spot measurement devices. Imager supports inspection routing.
Fluke Corp. fluke.com Write 331 on PE card
Temperature controllers
ETR-8300 and ETR-4300 temperature controllers feature digital communications, multiple error protection modes, remote setpoint input, event input capabilities, dual input delta-T control, heater alarm, and current monitoring. Controllers use an 18-bit A/D converter for high-resolution measurement. Inputs feature field-programmable selection of nine thermocouple sensors, two standard RTD curves, and six linear process inputs.
Ogden Manufacturing Co. ogdenmfg.com Write 332 on PE card
Redundancy modules
SDN2.5-20RED redundancy module is designed for use with the 2.5, 4, 5, 10, and 20-A SDN-P Performance Series power supplies with either single or 3-phase inputs. The SDN3040RED is designed for use with the 30 or 40 A, 3-phase input SDN-P power supplies. Both DIN-rail mount redundancy modules enable the design of N + 1 dc power systems for mission-critical applications, as well as general-purpose process control.
Sola/Hevi-Duty solaheviduty.com Write 333 on PE card
Data logger
HOBO U9 light on/off logger is a compact, direct-USB data logger for recording light usage. Unit performs constant monitoring of lighting on/off status, and uses accompanying Windows-based software to convert the recorded data into time-and-date-stamped graphs. The battery-powered unit can store up to 43,000 on/off measurements.
Onset Computer Corp. onsetcomp.com Write 334 on PE card
Cylindrical prox sensors
X Series inductive proximity sensors is now available with sensing ranges of 6 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, and 40 mm. This newest series is IP67 rated with nickel-plated brass housing and Crastin sensing face for long life and reliable operation. Sensors feature 3-wire PNP output and micro-quick disconnects.
Pepperl+Fuchs am.pepperl-fuchs.com Write 335 on PE card
Multifunction controllers
Platinum series X line of controllers includes a choice of analog, heat/cool, and valve control outputs. Controllers provide options for interfacing with other devices via multiple communications protocols, analog retransmission, remote setpoint, and many digital inputs. Other features include autotune software, dedicated auto/man key, CT input, IP65 front panel, and aux power supply.
Athena Controls, Inc. athenacontrols.com Write 336 on PE card
Test tools catalog
The Meterman HVAC/R Catalog, volume 1 features the PM55 ultracompact digital multimeter (DMM) and other instruments critical to HVAC/R applications, such as thermometers, temperature meters, humidity meters, and anemometers.
Meterman Test Tools metermantesttools.com Write 337on PE card
PID tuning guide
PID Loop Tuning Pocket Guide, version 2.0 is now available for download from the company's web site. The expanded guide includes open and closed loop tuning procedures to augment the reference material in the first version. The guide also includes a reference section that summarizes many common controllers.
ControlSoft, Inc. controlsoftinc.com Write 338 on PE card
Product handbook
Action Instruments Product Handbook, volume 17, 2005 edition, is available. The handbook contains 350 pages of application notes, technical tips, engineering data, and product selection information. New to this volume are articles on instrumentation topics, including an article on international thermocouple color coding.
Eurotherm eurotherm.com Write 339 on PE card
