Electricity + Control February 2017

ROUND UP

EARTHING + LIGHTNING PROTECTION S NSORS + SW TCHES + TRANSDUCERS

Smart process gating Specialist sensing solutions company Countapulse Controls is making Leuze’s smart process gating (SPG) technology available across sub-SaharanAfrica. Countapulse Controls managing director Gerry Bryant says SPG offers a compact, space saving design as the bridging of a protective field can be done without additional muting sensors. “Leuze has developed the SPG on the basis of the type 4 safety light curtains in the MLC

500 series, so muting sensors are no longer needed,” says Bryant. “There is also reduced risk of tampering by operating personnel.” SPG system reduces

installation and service costs because there is no setup or alignment of muting sensors; even interrupted parts and pallets with gaps between loading can be safely transported in sequence.The safety system offers high reliability and availability, since there is no risk of misaligned or damaged muting sensors. Explaining the SPG process, Bryant says a signal is sent by the process controller to the safety light curtain shortly before the protective field is entered, in order to interrupt the protective device while the transported material is passing through. The first gating signal comes from the system control (PLC), whereas the second one is generated by the safety light curtain itself when the protective field is interrupted. SPG there- fore requires knowledge of the position of the transported goods so that the necessary PLC control signals are within the correct time window at the safety light curtain. Enquiries: Gerry Bryant. Email bryant@countapulse.co.za SIKO , represented locally by Instrotech,presents the latest stage of development in ultra- compact magnetic sensors for industry as well as machine and plant construction. Common applications for SIKO’s latest compact sensors include linear actuators, stop adjustment for saws, and even measurement of the tracking of solar plants. The sensor measures paths, angles or rotational speeds – contactless and wear-free – in conjunction with the associated magnetic tapes or magnetic rings.The sensor reads the magnetic code of the magnetic tape or magnetic ring incrementally.This information is converted into digital square-wave signals and sent to the downstream electronics.The SIKOmagnetic sensor MSC500 constitutes a sig- nificant development over previous MagLine magnetic sensors in terms of their performance and integrated technology.The sensor includes a clever, multicoloured status LED that aids in both commissioning and standard operation.The correct distance between the magnetic band or magnetic ring is can be monitored visually. If the reading distance between sensor Ultra-compact magnetic sensor for machine construction

and magnetic tape or magnetic ring is excessive, it will be indicated by the blue LED. A green LED indicates an intact power supply, while a yellow LED indicates that the encoded path information is being read correctly from the magnetic tape or the magnetic ring. Enquiries: Instrotrech. Tel. +27 (0) 10 595 1831 or email sales@instrotech.co.za

Electricity+Control February ‘17

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