Electricity + Control September 2018

round up

SENSORS, SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS

Humidity validation and compliance in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing Because the control of humidity is vital for many processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing, there are a large number of probes in use at any time ― all of which will need to be regularly calibrated to en- sure accuracy. Sending RH probes away for calibration is a time-consuming exercise for both food and pharmaceutical companies, but is often deemed necessary as creation, modification, archival, retrieval and trans- mission of electronic records are essential business practices. Simple on-site validations logging and documenting capabilities. It is extremely easy to use and inexpensive to maintain. For full, traceable calibrations it can be used in combination with a chilled mirror reference hygrometer. Although any hygrometer can be used, Michell offers the HygroCal100 and Optidew Vision as a com- plete package for fully documented, trace- able calibrations. The HygroCal100 is compatible with any analogue probe with mA or voltage outputs: this includes most brands on the market today. Up to seven probes can be validated at a time, and users can choose to operate manually or use an automated • Internal calibration correction cycle en- sures continued confidence. • Optional chilled mirror reference hy- grometer, allowing use as a calibrator. • Download logged verification data di- rect to USB memory. Enquiries: Instrotech.Tel. +27 (0) 10 595 1831 or email sales@instrotech.co.za

While many companies opt to set up their own, in-house humidity calibration labora- tories, this is not an option for all manufac- turers because of the capital expense and resources needed to manage it. However, there are affordable alternatives. Instrotech is a proud supplier of Michell Instruments, offering a cost-effective hu- midity validator which enables food and pharmaceutical companies the option to save time and money on recalibrations. The HygroCal100 is unique in its class. As well as being completely portable, it has data In-field sensing excellence On the basis of a novel innovative hous- ing, ifm provides two new illuminated pushbutton modules, featuring two pushbuttons and two types of LED out- put.The high protection ratingmeans the modules can be used in the field, within close proximity of processes. There are no long distances between sensors, actuators and the control cabinet. The M12 connection technology provides a high degree of installation reliability and flexibility. Both modules are exclusively

programme. Highlights: • Portable and self-contained: weighs just 3.2 kg. • Intuitive user interface for automated probe verification. • Integral battery pack for validation with- out access to external services. • Validates seven probes simultaneously. • Automated validation procedures for complete hands-off probe verification.

Smart pyrometers for plug and play factory automation Fluke Process Instruments has launched the Thermalert 4.0 spot pyrometer series for auto- matic noncontact temperature monitoring between -40°C and 2 250°C. The series currently comprises 13 models with varied spectral responses, including dedicated sensors for met- als, glass, and plastics products. A large choice of optics is available for long and short focal distances. Due to the outstanding ambient temperature range of -20°C to 85°C, more meas- uring points can be set up without cooling accessories and without installing cooling media supplies. Accordingly, there is no danger of leakage and contamination of critical processes. The rugged IP65 infrared thermometers come as standard in a stainless steel housing and exhibit best-in-class repeatabilities, response times, and accuracies. These functions can significantly lower service costs and time spent on setup and troubleshooting. The sensors feature galvanically isolated analogue and RS485 interfaces. Up to 32 devices can be con- nected within an RS485 network. The manufacturer will keep on adding fieldbus and feature options in future. Retrofit of existing measuring points has been made as easy as possible. The new sensors can be fitted in fixtures for Endurance, Raytek Thermalert TX, and Raytek XR pyrometers. Adapters are available for use with Ircon Modline 4 and Raytek MM fixtures. DataTemp® Multidrop software provides you with the tools you need to configure your sen- sors and monitor temperatures on a real-time graphical display. The bar graph feature shows temperature profiles across a web or at various spots along a process. Use the program to record and archive your process temperatures. High and low alarms are shown, making it easy to identify out of range conditions. The system supports remote configuration, monitor- ing, field calibration, and firmware updates. A wide variety of options and accessories are available to customise the installation of your Thermalert 4.0 sensors. Lens protectors and air purge collars offer protection in harsh environments. The water-/air-cooled housings can be specified for operation in ambient temperatures up to 175 °C. Enquiries: R&C Instrumentation.Tel. +27 (0) 86 111 4217 or email info@randci.co.za

supplied via AS-i; an additional 24 V volt- age source is not re- quired. The modules are simply mounted on a 35 mm DIN rail or using the supplied mounting adapter. Enquiries: Tel. +27 (0) 12 450 0400 or email info. za@ifm.com

42 Electricity + Control

SEPTEMBER 2018