Monday, November 22, 2010

Crydom EL Series Compact Solid State Relays


Crydom’s new “EL” series of Compact Solid State Relays include models with output ratings up to 20 A
rms from 24 to 280 VAC or 10 A from 3 to 100 VDC with optional external heat sink. Logic compatible control input versions include 5, 12 or 24 VDC. Output termination is via 0.25” (6.35 mm) quick connect terminals, while input terminals are 0.187” (4.75 mm) quick connects.

Featuring 4kV all solid state optical isolation, the Triac output AC versions are available with either zero voltage turn-on for resistive load applications or random turn-on for inductive load applications, while DC output versions feature low RDS on resistance FETs suitable for most DC resistive or inductive loads. “EL” series SSRs are RoHS & China RoHS compliant, CE certified, UL and cUL recognized.



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Rittal TopTherm Heater


Rittal is pleased to announce the launch of our new TopTherm Heaters. The new heaters cover a continuous heating range from 10 to 150 Watts (without fan) and 250 to 800 Watts (with integrated fan). Features such as flexible mounting options, easy wiring, reduced size and improved heating output make these PTC heaters the perfect product for applications with condensation issues or low ambient temperatures. The new heaters will replace the current heater line by Dec 31, 2010.

Features
  • Additional sizes up to 800 Watts of thermal output
  • Multiple voltages covered (110 to 240V)
  • Constant heat distribution thanks to PTC technology
  • Quick and flexible mounting via DIN rail or to mounting panel directly
  • Tool-less wiring via terminal block
  • High efficiency due to self-regulating heater with PTC technology
  • Increased thermal outputs with same physical dimensions


Rittal TopTherm Chiller


Rittal is pleased to announce the launch of the TopTherm Chiller Line with cooling capacities ranging from 9 to 44 kW. Seven standard sizes will complement their well-established Mini Chiller line, which currently covers cooling capacities up to 6kW. The modular design, the small footprint, easy serviceability and the high degree of standardization of Rittal TopTherm Chillers are perfectly suited for applications that require cost efficient and reliable water-cooling.

Additional standard features such as water bypass and dual frequency add to the versatility of the new product line.



Monday, November 15, 2010

Pepperl+Fuchs Photoelectric Sensors for Clear Object Detection


GLV18 Series photoelectric sensors with Clear Object Detection are now available from Pepperl+Fuchs. Clear object detection models use reflectors to detect transparent objects up to 2.5 m away, or opaque objects up to 5 m away. These sensors can detect transparent objects to a contrast as low as 18%, including objects as transparent as glass or a clear film. They carry the CE mark, and are UL/cUL Listed.

“The primary benefit of clear object detection is the ability to consistently detect transparent materials such as a glass bottle, PET plastic, a web of shrink-wrap, or protective bubble wrap,” says Jeff Allison, Product Manager. “Other types of photoelectric sensors would not consistently detect clear objects because the transmitted light would optically burn through the material, but GLV18 series clear object detection sensors are designed to detect such materials.”

These sensors come in an industry-standard M18 threaded cylindrical housing that is up to 50% shorter and with up to 50% lower power consumption than many competitive models. As a result, they are more likely to fit into space-critical equipment or installations and are less costly to operate - and as lower power consumption enables each power supply to power more sensors, fewer power supplies may be needed in a given application.

GLV18 series sensors also include a unique flush-mount bracket that allows for a simple, tool-less, unobtrusive means of mounting the sensor on a conveyor. Ball-and-swivel and half-clamp mounting brackets are also available to facilitate precise positioning of GLV18 series sensors.

Status LEDs are highly visible and placed in dual positions, 180 degrees apart on the housing, for increased visibility. Additionally, status LED functionality is standardized, meaning that GLV18 sensors don’t just indicate they are powered and see a target, but also indicate if the sensor’s signal strength is lower than it should be so that corrective action can be taken.

GLVL18 series sensors are ideally suited for use in material handling applications, primarily for detecting clear shrink-wrap webs or semi-transparent trays or cartons. They are also well suited for use in packaging applications including, among others, presence detection of clear clamshells, bottles, or pouch webstock. Additionally, the GLV18 series is a very reliable general purpose sensor family that can be used in a number of other markets, including mylar detection in printing/paper applications, and glass detection in automotive applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs is a world leader in the design, manufacture and application of high quality factory and process automation products and services. Pepperl+Fuchs pioneered the development of proximity sensors 50 years ago, and has set the standard for innovation and quality ever since.

Pepperl+Fuchs, 1600 Enterprise Parkway, Twinsburg, OH 44087; (330) 486-0001; fax: (330) 405-4710; fa-info@us.pepperl-fuchs.com; www.pepperl-fuchs.us.



Thursday, November 11, 2010

Schneider Electric Modicon M340 Automation Platform


Far more than a PLC, Schneider Electric’s Modicon Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) are built to suit the needs of the process industry and a wide range of demanding automation applications. The Modicon M340 can be used individually, but is also the perfect companion of Modicon Premium and Modicon Quantum, increasing the performance, the quality and the profitability of your industrial process, facilities or of your machines.



New Literature from Rittal

TS8 Floor Stand and Solid Base Pan Kits

Rittal’s TS8 floor stand kits elevate TS8 modular freestanding and disconnect enclosures where separation between the floor and the enclosure are necessary due to environmental hazards or cable conduit installation/access concerns. Solid base pan kits serve as an alternative to the standard TS8 cable gland plate base configuration and provide a solid, heavy-duty surface at the bottom of the enclosure.


IT Liquid Cooling Packages

Rittal’s scalable Liquid Cooling Pacages (LCPs) can handle high heat densities (up to 44 kW per rack) and adapt to changing requirements as quickly as needed – all while reducing energy consumption and costs by up to 30 to 45%. Heat energy from installed IT equipment is absorbed and removed from the rack, at the rack level, by water, and then fan modules circulate the cooled air created by this exchange through the equipment.


RiLine60 Busbar Power Distribution System

In the field of low-voltage technology, Rittal is a key player in control and distribution technology for industrial systems and data centers. Systems based on RiLine60 are individual and economical, thanks to their component modularity and diversity.


JB and WM Specification Guide

Rittal’s WM and JB enclosures are focused on meeting the needs of the North American market – readily available in all of the most popular sizes, protection categories and configurations used by their customers. Combined with a full range of accessories, Rittal’s wallmount and junction box enclosures can be tailored to your specifications to create truly customized solutions.


TS8 Specification Guide

The Rittal TS8 is the premier modular enclosure available in the world today. Its patented 16-fold frame profile is engineered to handle large load capacities of up to 3200 lbs, while its modular design is easily adaptable to your unique requirements.



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Red Lion Controls Dual Ethernet Expansion Card


Red Lion announces the release of their Ethernet expansion card for the Data Station Plus and Modular Controller series. This new expansion card provides a second Ethernet port for communication on two distinct Ethernet networks simultaneously.

Both the Data Station and Modular Controller series support 10 simultaneous Ethernet protocols, as well as three serial protocols, providing unprecedented protocol conversion and device integration. The addition of a second Ethernet port allows communication with devices on two separate networks without the addition of an industrial router, saving cost as well as configuration time.

The ability to isolate machine level networks from the enterprise network benefits both process engineers and IT managers - the engineer can assign a fixed IP address for the port connected to his PLCs, drives, etc., while allowing the IT personnel to either pick their own IP address or to use DHCP to configure the enterprise port.

The XCENET card can be fitted to any Data Station Plus, as well as the LE, SX or GT versions of the Modular Controller series Master. All of these products are configured via Red Lion's free Crimson® software.



Monday, November 8, 2010

Case Study: Phoenix Contact Wireless Radios at Indian Ridge Country Club


Customer Profile
Cloudburst engineering in Palm Desert, Ca., is an engineering firm specializing in pump repair, irrigation, and system control. one of Cloudburst’s customers is Indian Ridge Country Club, an exclusive gated community with two championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer. They also service several other high-profile golf courses in and around Palm Springs.

Challenge
Palm Desert boasts 350 days of sunshine and just 3.38 inches of rainfall per year. These dry conditions practically guarantee a sunny day for golfers, but they make it difficult to maintain a healthy course. To ensure the championship-caliber conditions that members expect, Indian Ridge needed a dependable fertiliza- tion and irrigation system.

The club already had an automated system consisting of PLCs interfacing to remote pump sites via another company’s radio solution. However, the radios were unreliable due to local interference. The golf course was suffering due to inconsistent watering and fertilization. The club needed a new system, but did not want to interrupt play to dig trenches for wiring.

Solution
Cloudburst engineering worked with Phoenix Contact and Steven engineering, a Phoenix Contact distributor. Together, they designed a system that used Phoenix Contact radios at six locations to control irrigation, fertilization and water feature control around the course.

The system consists of one master and five Phoenix Contact RAD-ISM-900-EN... bus slave radios with I/O, each located at a remote pump station on the course. Using the Modbus Protocol, each slave radio reports data back to the central control building. Here, the master radio communicates the Modbus data with a Siemens PLC and HMI with a web browser.

The system’s primary function is to monitor the water levels at the ponds around the golf course and to turn on and off pumps to maintain a specific water level. The system also monitors timed irrigation and instrumentation status, relaying the information back to the central HMI.

In addition to the RAD-ISM-900-EN..., the system also included Phoenix Contact analog I/O modules, MINI power supplies, lightning and surge protection and antennas in the design.
Cloudburst engineering evaluated several other radios, but cited Phoenix Contact’s service and product reliability as key points in their decision.

An engineer from Cloudburst stated, “This was our first chance to use Phoenix Contact radios, so we experienced a small learning curve. We received great technical support from both our local distributor and from Phoenix Contact personnel. Since the first installation, we have installed Phoenix Contact in other projects, and we’ve needed less follow-up and support calls on our subsequent projects.”

Results
The golf course saw an immediate return on investment. The entire installation never interrupted rounds on the course. Revenue was never impacted, and facility managers were very happy with the entire project.

Although interference was a problem in the original system, the RAD-ISM-900-EN... radio’s robust frequency-hopping proprietary technology performed very well within an interference-prone environment where the other radios failed.

The old system required a high level of monitoring and maintenance, but the new system has reduced maintenance costs considerably, even in the hot and dusty desert environment. Because the system is so dependable, Cloudburst now uses the installation as a showcase for prospective clients.

Art Grimes, Application-Solution engineer for Steven engineering, helped coordinate the project. He reported, “There was zero impact to facility operation, and maintenance costs have been reduced. More importantly, the golf course looks incredible, and Cloudburst has a happy customer.”


Monday, November 1, 2010

Turck 3 and 4-Branch M16 Tees


TURCK’s new h-style (3 branch) and H-style (4 branch) M16 tees save valuable field installation time in comparison to hard wired installations. The tees are available in a multitude of configurations, including tees with a male connector on either side of the trunk line, integral connections or cable drops per tee.

The IP67 rated tees are available with 2 through 8-pin connectors in nickel plated brass, stainless steel and nylon. The tees are currently available with a rugged PUR overmold and PVC flexlife® cable jacket, and are rated for up to 600 Volts and 18 Amps.