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Broadening analogue functionality25 September 2007Weidmuller’s reputation as a high-quality manufacturer is strongly reflected in it’s electronics, as well as its market-leading electrical connectivity products. For this reason, the company’s analogue signal conditioning range is regularly installed in prestige capital plant projects, such as power stations, water works and chemical plant. The task may be isolation, to protect measurement and control systems from EMI, or ground loop errors. However, it could alternatively be signal conversion, where sensor inputs have to be standardised for the input of the controller. Despite the growth of network communications for industrial controls, the market for analogue systems is still growing worldwide. Weidmuller’s commitment is to produce new products with innovative functionality and higher performance, in order to offer customers increased value in this sector.
Weidmuller’s expanding analogue range now offers three tiers of construction and configurability. Currently being introduced to world markets is MannSeries - a versatile signal processing range with many metal housings and front membrane adjustments, aimed at the Process segment. Panel mounted digital indicators and conditioners in 96 x 48mm format add greatly to the functionality, and portable instrument calibrators expand the capability into instrument loop testing.
The well-established WaveSeries range of isolators, convertors and transmitters is modular, robust, with high quality polymer housings and DIP-switch configuration, for general industrial use. Apart from the temperature and dc measurements made by Waveseries, a sub-section of this range, called WaveControl, focuses on ac current and voltage monitoring, and is widely used for phase failure monitoring, pump and motor speed controls and supply voltage measurements.
MicroAnalog has a very high density (6mm width) format, but robust polymer housings and adjustability via DIP-switches, for lighter temperature measurement and dc conversion applications. Although aimed mainly at factory automation sectors, some process sector models exist in the range, offering higher isolation resistance, accuracy and temperature stability. These provide dc power for two-wire 4-20mA transmitters, and passing both analogue and digital signals for H.A.R.T. communications to field equipment is an option.
An example of increased functionality and performance is the company’s recently introduced ITX Plus “Universal” transmitter. In a single model, with 12.5mm wide din rail mounted housing, a uniquely wide range of inputs can be accepted, covering most temperature and dc sensors. Changing or re-configuring the input, or output mode, is simple using “TSET” software and CBX 100 interface. The transmitter’s output is two-wire 4-20mA, output loop powered, which reduces the cabling needed, compared with auxiliary powered transmitters. This feature, combined with the it’s input versatility makes the ITX Plus a good choice for plant refurbishment projects. Other good features for such applications include upscale or downscale sensor break output, reverse or direct acting output, and user-definable linearisation.
Endorsing Weidmuller's product quality credentials, the list of international approvals offered is growing rapidly. These include UL Listing, as well as marine and also hazardous area approvals such as Class 1 Division 2 and Zone 2 (ATEX) for process environments. The options and opportunities for analogue electronics broaden continually. Contact Details and Archive...Most Viewed Articles... |
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