Signal Splitter Solves Multiple Device Connection Challenge

Selecting the right I/O modules can solve signal
transmission challenges.
Image courtesy Acromag

Industrial process measurement and control requires the transmission of signals from point to point with no significant distortion. Even with the growing prevalence of wireless signal transmission, over-wire transmission of signals is still a primary means of connecting one device to another.

In the cabled process measurement and control world, the 4 to 20 milliampere signal is generally considered the standard for transmitting analog control and measurement signals over any distance.There is an immense array of instrumentation and controllers available for use with 4-20 mA signals, so expertise in routing and delivering those signals should be part of your process measurement and control skill set.

Like just about everything else, routing 4-20 mA signals presents its own set of challenges that require some thought and planning to overcome. Electrical interference is always a concern and must be prevented from impacting the operation of measurement and control devices. Additionally, there must be sufficient power in the signal loop to accommodate the resistance load of connected devices. There are other considerations, but I'm going to focus on these two.

One scenario that can present significant issues is multiple devices requiring connection to the same signal, but with great distance between them. A simple solution can be implemented using an isolated signal splitter.

Features of these units making them an attractive, single box, solution:

• One 4-20 ma input channel for the measuring or controlling device.
• The input signal is retransmitted as identical isolated 4-20 ma signals
• Galvanic isolation from input to output
• Isolation between channels for safety and increased noise immunity. Fault in one output channel does not impact the operation of the other channels.
• Reliable operation in industrial environments, with protection from RFI, EMI, ESD, and surges.
• Low radiated emissions in accordance with CE requirements. 
• DIN-rail mounting of the unit
• Plug-in terminal blocks

If you have a very long signal loop, connecting multiple devices, consider breaking the devices into two groups that may allow for a substantially shorter cable length for each group. Connect each group to one of the isolated outputs of the splitter, giving each group of instruments the identical signal without the risks or impractically of an excessively long cable run.

There are other devices available that may combine special characteristics that solve your signal transmission and processing challenges. Contact a product specialist and discuss your existing or anticipated project requirements. Combine your process knowledge and experience with the extensive product knowledge of a professional sales engineer and produce the best possible outcome.

Loop Powered Isolated Signal Transmitters and Splitters from Instrument Specialties, Inc.

Instrument Specialties is Ready to Help Hurricane Impacted Partners

 

Industrial Instrumentation, Valves

and Municipal Equipment

Instrument Specialties is Ready to Help

As our Florida industry partners rebuild, ISI offers special emergency services for your plant. 

As we Floridians begin to recover from the damage of Hurricane Irma,  ISI Technicians & Field application support engineers, are available to you.  We have support personnel located in all major metropolitans areas including: Orlando, Miami, Ft. Myers, Tampa, Lakeland, and Jacksonville.

During September ISI will waive most emergency and expedited service fees, related to our products, for hurricane related issues. These include:

• Technical Field Support
• Emergency Onsite Field Support
• Evaluation and Testing Fees

We are here for you, and ready to help get your plant up and running ASAP.

Contact Info: Instrument Specialties Inc.: 3885 St. Johns Parkway Sanford, FL 32771 Phone: 407.324.7800 Fax: 407.324.1104 Email: Click Here

Freezeless Control Valve

Model 1451 "Freezeless" Control Valve installs
with trim immersed in liquid.
Image courtesy SOR

There are almost uncountable control valve variants available in the industrial marketplace. Some have applicability over a wide range of settings, with size, materials of construction, or pressure rating being their only distinguishing factor. Others are tailored to comparatively narrow performance bands or applications, delivering specialized performance where it is needed.

SOR, global manufacturer of fluid measurement control components, fills an application niche with its "freezeless" control valve. Intended primarily for use on oil production equipment, the compact model 1451 control valve mounts directly to a separator or scrubber in a manner that places the plug and seat submerged in the process liquid. The liquid acts as a heat source to keep the valve trim from freezing.

More information is provided in the data sheet below. For best results, share your fluid measurement and control challenges with application specialists, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop and effective solution.

Industrial Control Valves - 1400 Series from Instrument Specialties, Inc.

MSA Ultima X5000 Gas Monitor is Packed With Advances

The Ultima X5000 Gas Monitor from MSA incorporates a number of patented features, along with advanced design, that deliver superior performance and lower ownership cost for monitoring and detecting toxic and hazardous gas in industrial settings. Take two minutes and watch the video to learn more, or contact a product specialist with your application challenge for an effective solution.

Make Good Use of Technical Sales Representatives

Technical sales representatives bring outside expertise

Process and control equipment is most often sold with the support of sales engineers working for the local distributor or representative. Realizing what these specialists have to contribute, taking advantage of their knowledge and talent, will help save time and cost, contributing to a better project outcome.

Consider these contributions:

Product Knowledge: Sales engineers, by the nature of their job, are current on new products, their capabilities and their proper application. Unlike information available on the Web, sales engineers get advanced notice of product obsolescence and replacement. Also, because they are exposed to so many different types of applications and situations, sales engineers are a wealth of tacit knowledge that they readily share with their customers.

Experience: As a project engineer, you may be treading on fresh ground regarding some aspects of your current assignment. You may not have a full grasp on how to handle a particular challenge presented by a project. Call in the local sales person - there can be real benefit in connecting to a source with past exposure to your current issue.

Access: Through a technical sales engineer, you may be able to look “behind the scenes” with a particular manufacturer and garner important information not publicly available. Sales reps deal with people, making connections between customers and manufacturer's support personnel that may not normally be public facing. They make it their business to know what’s going on with products, companies, and industries.

Of course, sales engineers will be biased. Any solutions proposed are likely to be based upon the products sold by the representative. But the best sales people will share the virtues of their products openly and honestly, and even admit when they don’t have the right product. This is where the discussion, consideration and evaluation of several solutions become part of achieving the best project outcome.

As an engineer who designs or manufactures a product or process, it's highly recommended you develop a professional, mutually beneficial relationship with a technical sales expert, a problem solve. Look at a relationship with the local sales engineer as symbiotic. Their success, and your success, go hand-in-hand.

Flowserve ValveSight Diagnostic Solution for Control Valves

The video shared this week, from Flowserve, provides an overview of their ValveSight real time online diagnostic solution for use with control valves and associated actuators, positioners and controls. ValveSight enables operators to keep valves in service longer by detecting potential failures before they occur. The system provides a deep level of monitoring and diagnostic functions which are described in the video. Reducing unplanned downtime is a common goal among all facilities and plant operators. Check out the short video, and share your questions about the system with an application specialist.

Smart Control for Steam Boiler Water Level

Maintaining proper water level in a boiler is necessary for safe and efficient operation. Historically, boiler level measurement and control were accomplished with mechanical means. Today, sensor technology, electronics, and software bring improved accuracy and a host of other useful features to the water level control system.

Clark-Reliance, a globally recognized leader in level indication and control, separation and filtration for steam systems, has developed a smart boiler level indication system to enhance boiler operation. The video included below provides an illustrative overview of the system, how it works and the benefits it will bring to a new or retrofit installation.

Share your combustion and steam challenges with experienced specialists, and combine your site and project knowledge with their expertise to deliver an effective solution.