Electricity and Control July 2021

MEASUREMENT + INSTRUMENTATION : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Accurate non-contact IR temperature measurement

Infrared (IR) thermometers can measure temperature without coming into physical contact with a particular product. This ability is based on the fact that every object emits radiant energy, and the intensity of this radiation is a function of the object’s temperature. The infrared thermometer simply measures the intensity of radiation, thereby measuring an object’s temperature. Over the years, IR thermometers have improved in accuracy and speed and have become essential instruments in today’s fast moving production lines. To ensure accurate measurement however, it is important to keep the following factors in mind:

Environmental conditions In the working area, steam, dust, smoke, and other conditions can prevent accurate measurement by obstructing the sensor’s optics. Noise, electromagnetic fields, or vibration are other conditions that should also be considered before installation begins. A protective housing, air purging and/or water cooling can protect the sensor and ensure accurate measurements. R&C Instrumentation’s Mi3, Endurance Series, Thermalert 4.0 and Marathon MM, offer the necessary accessories for harsh and challenging environments. Ambient temperatures If the thermometer is exposed to abrupt ambient temperature differences of 20 degrees Celsius or more, it needs to be allowed to adjust to the new ambient temperature for at least 20minutes. For excessive ambient temperatures, R&C Instrumentation offers air-cooling and water-cooling options such as the ThermoJacket. Emissivity Emissivity is the measure of an object’s ability to emit in- frared energy. Emitted energy indicates the temperature of the object. Emissivity can have a value from 0 (shiny mirror) to 1.0 (blackbody). R&C Instrumentation offers in- terested parties a copy of Principals of IR Temperature Measurement and a list of pre-determined emissivity set- tings for various materials, at no charge. Its sales engi- neers are on hand to assist customers in choosing the most suitable and efficient IR sensor for any specific tar- get material, temperature range and type of application. For more information contact R&C Instrumentation. Tel: +27 (0)11 608 1551 Email: info@randci.co.za Visit: www.randci.co.za lead to reduced quantities of cleaning agents being used, lower energy consumption during rinsing, and lower water consumption, all contributing to considera- ble cost savings. ifm offers customers a simple order process, short delivery times, and sensors that are designed for user- friendly integration into the application. With fully welded stainless steel housing that prevents water ingress, the LDL200 sensors are well protected in CIP applications. The sensors provide for shorter commissioning time as there is no need for additional evaluation electronics and the wiring is simple using M12. Furthermore, ifm’s flexible adapter concept simplifies stock warehousing requirements. For more information contact ifm South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)12 450 0400 Email: info.za@ifm.com, visit: www.ifm.com

- Spot ratio and Field of view - Environmental conditions - Ambient temperatures - Emissivity

Spot ratio and Field of view The optical system of an infrared sensor collects the infrared energy from a circular measurement spot and focuses it on the detector. Optical resolution is defined by the ratio of the distance from the instrument to the object, compared to the size of the spot being measured (D:S ratio). The larger the ratio number, the smaller the surface area size that can be measured from greater distance. A recent innovation in infrared optics is the

Non-contact IR thermometers have become essential

instruments in fast moving production lines.

addition of a close focus feature, which provides accurate measure- ment of small target areas without including unwanted background temperatures. The target should always be larger than the spot size of the instrument at the distance. The smaller the target, the closer the instrument user should be to it.

Conductivity sensor for CIP monitoring

LDL200 conductivity sensors from ifm are compact, high quality sensors, designed for use in cleaning processes (CIP) in the food industry. They can reduce inaccuracies associated with time-based cleaning processes and improve process performance with flexible measuring

points. They detect the concentra- tion of cleaning agents, check the rinsing water for residues and for product validation. With IO-Link ensuring loss-free signal transmission, the LDL200 sensors deliver fast, precise and reliable measurements during the process, helping to improve plant availability and optimise cleaning cycles. Accurate monitoring can

With fully welded stainless steel housing that prevents water ingress, the LDL200 sensors are well protected for CIP applications.

18 Electricity + Control JULY 2021