Distributed acoustic sensing.

Continuous, seamless real-time monitoring over long distances.

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) keeps critical infrastructure safe. High-resolution monitoring systems, known as fibre test heads (FTH), transform existing fibre optic networks into highly sensitive sensors for real-time detection of vibrations, movements, and acoustic events along the fibre. The devices from Laser Components cover distances of up to 100 kilometers.

The underlying technology is both elegant and effective: a laser interrogator sends short pulses of light into the fibre optic cable and analyses the backscatter. Even the slightest movement or vibration changes the scattering pattern of the light, making it measurable for the system. AI-supported software separates harmless events from actual threats. This allows for immediate detection and precise localisation of activities such as excavations, tampering attempts, or structural changes.

DAS is increasingly being deployed in areas that are essential for public safety and utilities—such as along pipelines, railway lines, power lines, and communication networks. The technology also enables continuous status monitoring in the perimeter protection of sensitive facilities, data centres, and industrial plants. It thus makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of KRITIS requirements in accordance with the NIS2 Directive and the IT Security Act.

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@lasercomp_uk @PresseBox @UnnGmbh #Automation #Infrastructure

Acoustic particle monitor.

Monitor entrained sand in real-time, providing data essential to improving well throughput, safety, and uptime.

The Rosemount™ SAM42 Acoustic Particle Monitor for measuring the amount of entrained sand in the output from oil and gas wells has been announced by Emerson. The monitor can detect extremely low concentrations of entrained sand in challenging conditions with a high level of measurement repeatability and sensitivity. Accurate real-time data helps minimize erosion risk, allowing producers to maximize throughput without compromising asset safety. An all-in-one design features onboard data processing, explosion-proof protection, and simple installation with no pipe penetration needed.

The output from oil and gas wells often contains varying amounts of entrained sand that can pose a serious erosion risk and lead to equipment damage, loss of containment, environmental risk, costly repairs, curtailed production, and reduced profits. Effective sand management depends on knowing the amount of entrained sand flowing through the topside piping infrastructure in real time.

Many facilities rely on “grab-samples” to characterize and quantify the entrained sand, which only measures the entrained sand for that one moment in time. This method is ineffective as sand production can fluctuate significantly, posing safety risks to personnel and equipment through delayed decision making. Failure to act quickly exposes assets to excessive erosion, increasing maintenance expenses and the risk of unexpected shutdowns.

The Rosemount SAM42 Acoustic Particle Monitor addresses these issues by sending critical data instantly to staff onsite and to asset management systems via a Modbus® RTU RS485 digital wired connection, where it is used to adjust production flows as needed. A compact and non-intrusive design makes the device easy to install without pipe modifications, simplifying field deployment and reducing maintenance costs.

The Rosemount SAM42 is available in two versions that are designed to accommodate pipe surface temperatures between -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius) and 554 F (290 C), making it suitable for oil and gas applications and geothermal energy production. It can be mounted on pipes with diameters between 2-48 inches and is rated for use in hazardous areas with Ex d (Flameproof) approvals, including ATEX, IECEx, USA, and Canada; and Ex i (Intrinsic Safety) approvals, including ATEX, IECEx.

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@EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @futuresagency @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Oil #Gas

Upgrade to precision acoustic imagers.

Fluke has added a unique new feature to its ii910 precision acoustic imagers to help users identify and localise ‘mechanical areas of interest’ within short timeframes. The Firmware 5.0 update brings a MecQ facility to the ii910 which helps to minimise unplanned downtime and cut repair costs by enabling early identification of potential mechanical problems. Energy savings are also achieved by being able to carry out repairs early and reduce faults.

The update was developed following extensive research involving Fluke customers around the world in which maintenance specialists and technicians said their key focus was identifying issues as early as possible on the potential failure curve. Looking at various types of conveyor systems, the research showed that non-driven bearings are often the root cause of many mechanical faults. Because these systems are integral to the overall production process, lengthy periods of downtime could have a high impact in the factory and cause major issues along the supply chain. This applies in food and beverage production as much as it does in the logistics, electronics, automotive and mining/raw materials sectors.

Never inspected.
Despite a line going down representing a huge concern (and costing anything up to $130,000 an hour), Fluke found that around 59% of conveyor belt systems are never inspected while another 11% are checked manually. The research showed that the least effective way of detecting a problem was human sensing followed by contact temperature and thermography. Testing using contact vibration or airborne ultrasound also represented a challenge – with ease of use being a significant issue with the latter – but acoustic imaging was found to offer the most effective method of all.

Not only did customers say that the ability to localise issues was vital if substantial cost savings were to be achieved but they also needed a scalable solution that could help those with lengthy conveyor systems (a major warehouse could operate up to 80km of conveyor belts) or where accessibility was an issue (perhaps because of conveyor guards). Using the Fluke ii910 acoustic imager with MecQ, the process of carrying out non-contact inspection on conveyor systems is simplified considerably, with the unit identifying immediately through sound pattern comparison the locality of a mechanical area of interest. Once the issue is displayed on-screen the maintenance professional can make a note of it, share it with their team and address it on their maintenance schedule.

User-selectable frequencies.
MecQ was developed to bring an extra layer of detection to the ii910 in addition to taking a picture, taking a video, carrying out leak detection with LeakQ and partial discharge detection in PDQ mode.

Although the most common frequency for ultrasound instruments is 30kHz, the ii910 with MecQ now offers user-selectable frequencies from 2kHz to 100kHz and fixed multi-mode frequency bands of 15kHz, 20kHz, 30kHz, 40kHz and 60kHz to check various stages of bearing deterioration. Depending on the environment, the user can choose whether to turn these pre-set frequency bands on or off.

Tako Feron of Fluke says: “Any member of a maintenance team will love the ease-of-use the new MecQ facility provides with its intuitive interface and seamless integration with existing leak and partial discharge detection tools. They will also appreciate the ability to boost efficiency, maximise uptime (by reducing meantime-to-repair) and lower costs while ensuring high safety levels through contactless inspection and the elimination of hazardous situations. Thanks to MecQ, the ii910 now enables maintenance engineers to locate a problem, annotate a screenshot, share that with the team and then schedule repairs during planned downtime. Having all these workflow enablement solutions built into a single tool is not only unique to Fluke but the Firmware 5.0 upgrade has also simplified what could ordinarily be a highly complex and time-consuming inspection and maintenance operation.”

Feron adds: “It is important to remember that the ii910 with MecQ is designed to offer a first line scanning solution that identifies an area of interest at scale for follow-up inspection.”

@FlukeCorp @NapierPR #TandM #PAuto 

Acoustic Imager cuts costs, reduces waste and improves pipeline.

Air Liquide, the multi-national company supplying industrial gases and services to the health and industrial sectors has cut costs, reduced waste and boosted the efficiency of pipelines in Italy through the use of advanced ultrasonic measurement devices from Fluke.

The company has benefited from the ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager, designed by Fluke to make it easier, faster and safer to carry out high-sensitivity detection of gas, corona and partial discharge (PD). Suitable for use by operators with minimal training, the point-and-shoot device can also detect compressed air, gas and vacuum leaks, making it ideal for detecting leaks in gas distribution systems.

“Because our Syracuse refinery operates on a 24-hour basis, avoiding downtime is essential," said Sebastiano Carpinteri, Process Engineer at Air Liquide Priolo. "That means tests for leaks must be carried out as easily as possible and results analysed in the shortest time. Using Fluke’s ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager, measurements over the entire pipeline can now be assessed from a static position by just one person. The intuitive device clearly identifies leakages, enables measurements to be carried out without any kind of infrastructure required and makes it easy to produce up-to-date and accurate reports on the locations of leaks.”

Strong sustainability agenda to drive energy efficiency.
Driven by a strong sustainability agenda, Air Liquide wanted to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint by tackling costly leaks of air and nitrogen at its dual mixed refrigerant (DMR) refinery in Syracuse (I). The company chose to carry out measurements every two years on all pipelines around the refinery – 7,000m for compressed air and 9,435m for nitrogen – as well as 5km of interconnecting pipelines. Leak detection and repair (LDAR) checks are also required every 12 months by Italy’s environmental regulator ISPRA.

With a frequency range of 2kHz to 100kHz and 64 digital MEMS microphones, the ii910 makes it possible to locate leaks rapidly, detecting a 0.005 cubic feet per minute (CFM) leak at 100PSI from up to 32.8 feet (a 2.5cm3/sec leak at 7 bar from up to 10m). The acoustic imager also incorporates a 1280 x 800 resolution (1,024,000 pixels) LCD display and offers a battery life of more than six hours in the field. Finally, by eliminating the need for secondary cables or other devices, the ii910 gives operators the ability to swap easily between detecting the leak or PD and fixing them.

Several leaks rapidly identified.
Air Liquide called on the services of Belgium-based Intero – The Sniffers who carried out all the required measurements using the ii910 acoustic imager. Thanks to highly sensitive sensors on the device that work with Fluke’s SoundSight technology, the imager’s ultrasonic signals quickly revealed several leaks on the refinery’s air pipeline and multiple leaks on the nitrogen system. This enabled Air Liquide’s engineers to take immediate action to minimise the leaks and achieve instant efficiency gains.

@FlukeCorp @NapierPR #TandM #PAuto #Italy 

Pioneering medical application for industrial imager.

A pioneering application of the Fluke™ ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager has enabled a world leader in patient care to improve safety levels across multiple hospital sites while also being able to meet its own demanding sustainability targets.

The Mediclinic Group, an international hospital group with operations in South Africa, Namibia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates, is focused on continually improving patient outcomes. It is also committed to maximising safety levels in all its hospitals while improving sustainability to ensure a positive impact on the environment.

When a specialist thermography consultancy, KN Thermography, was called in to inspect the thermal efficiency of a South African Mediclinic hospital, it was using the Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager. Discussions between the thermography company and Mediclinic Southern Africa’s Sustainability Manager Petrus Swanepoel quickly identified the possibility of using the equipment to detect leaks of medical gases within the hospital.

Reducing waste
Mediclinic was aware that by fixing leaks in the distribution of oxygen and nitrous oxide across all their hospitals it could not only make significant improvements to patient safety but could also substantially reduce its carbon footprint and boost its sustainability levels by reducing the use of natural resources.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) and medical oxygen (O2) are used extensively in hospitals. High levels of energy are used to separate air and produce medical gasses. Preventing leaks in hospitals has positive implications for the environment but a significant leak of either gas in a hospital can represent a serious health hazard.

The ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager has been used to carry out rapid visual inspections on all pipes that send nitrous oxide from hospital basements to operating theatres and deliver oxygen to patient beds. This has enabled all leaks to be dealt with, reducing wastage percentages, and boosting Mediclinic hospitals’ levels of patient safety.

Improving sustainable operations
Committed to the efficient use of natural resources to improve patient care within Mediclinic, Petrus Swanepoel, said: “There is a pressing need for companies around the world to act more sustainably and the Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager enabled us to do this by minimising the leakage of any medical gases and our increased use of oxygen during to the pandemic, with its associated costs, focused our attention on the benefits of identifying leaks. We are delighted that the equipment has been able to make such a big difference to patient safety and to minimising wastage.”

Francesco Pagin of Fluke added: “The ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager has become highly popular as a tool for detecting leaks in compressed air systems, so this innovative application at the Mediclinic hospitals for identifying medical gas leakage is a really interesting new area of use. It opens up opportunities for maintenance and sustainability teams across a range of other sectors to boost efficiencies and sustainability levels by incorporating this powerful yet easy to use tool into their inspection and testing regimes.”

With its seven-inch LCD touchscreen and battery life of at least six hours, the Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager is designed for use in range of challenging environments where testing can be carried out from a safe distance. Using a SoundMap™ on a visual image for rapid identification of discharge or leaks between frequencies of 2-100 kHZ, the ii900 makes video recordings of up to five minutes.

@FlukeCorp @Mediclinic #Medical #PAuto #SouthAfrica

Electrical maintenance inspections with partial discharge detection.

Kenter, a leading Dutch energy metering and management company with more than 30,000 customers, has transformed maintenance inspections through the fast and safe detection of partial discharge. Left undetected partial discharge can cause degradation of medium voltage installations which pose significant safety, efficiency and financial risks that are critical considerations in maintenance inspections.

Kenter is part of Alliander, the largest energy network operator in the Netherlands, and works to install, rent and maintain safe and reliable energy supplies to a wide range of businesses from small family-run bakeries through to electric vehicle manufacturers and large multinational chemical companies. Kenter offers innovative energy supply and measurement solutions to aid companies wanting to optimise their energy consumption. The company’s team of 300 maintenance specialists have greatly improved the speed and accuracy of scheduled maintenance inspections using an innovative handheld tool, the ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager from Fluke.

Managing maintenance schedules
Kenter provides 24/7 maintenance on the equipment required to deliver a safe and reliable power supply to customers nationwide. This service includes scheduled maintenance cycles which typically occur every three, five, six or 10 years. During scheduled maintenance, Kenter looks to coordinate a series of works to minimise disruptions to operations, including checking for partial discharge.

Partial discharge is typically caused by a minor defect which can result in thousands of smaller repetitive electrical discharges. The phenomenon often occurs around insulation on pieces of equipment, such as high-voltage lines, transformers, turbines, busbars and the inside of cabinets, and can impact energy supply due to mechanical, heat, and chemical damage to insulators and conductors. Fast and accurate inspections

The Fluke™ ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager allows maintenance engineers to quickly scan a customer’s electrical assets from a safe distance whilst operational, and immediately identify areas impacted by partial discharge. The image can be quickly analysed to detect the type of partial discharge, enabling the team to undertake appropriate maintenance. Users benefit from the tool’s ease-of-use, speed and accuracy, while customers can continue operations during maintenance inspections without the need for a plant shut-down.

According to Martin Damen, Technical Engineer Manager at Kenter, Fluke’s ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager has revolutionised maintenance inspections and is a critical tool for maintenance. “Being able to scan a whole installation in one go is a real game changer in regard to how quickly we can identify a partial discharge issue,” he said.

Dirk Kwik, Team Manager Service and Maintenance at Kenter, agreed: “Our engineers are focused on identifying issues and undertaking maintenance as quickly and safely as possible to minimise disruption to our customers’ businesses and avoiding costly unscheduled downtime.”

Benefits in application
A recent review at a customer’s site using Fluke’s ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager showed partial discharge was occurring on the switchgear installation. This had not been detected by staff as there was no distinctive smell or sound during the interim review and no malfunction issues had been reported. The customer was also reluctant to shut down operations for assessment using an oscilloscope. Failure to identify this issue could have significant consequences due to the ultimate risk of the switchgear failing. According to Damen, the cost to replace the switchgear could be in the region of €30,000 – and that’s without assessing the potential damage to the customer’s reputation, who work to tight deadlines, as a result of their business being offline.

The ii910 device has helped Kenter’s management team to deploy their workforce more effectively. More than 18 engineers are now fully competent using the ii910 with online training being rolled out to the national engineering team. The complexity of operating an oscilloscope resulted in a significantly higher amount of time required to train engineers to accurately detect partial discharge.

Innovative detection of partial discharge
The ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager was developed to help engineers quickly identify and locate partial discharges. The innovative detection tool has a seven-inch LCD touchscreen which overlays a SoundMap™ on a visual image for rapid identification of discharge or leaks between frequencies of 2-100 kHZ. The ii910 provides video recording of up to five minutes and has a battery life of at least six hours.

“The Fluke ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager was developed with the end-user in mind,” comments Tako Feron, Product Manager Acoustic Imaging at Fluke Corporation.
“A working group of electrical maintenance professionals from a range of companies helped to test and provide feedback on the product during its development. Their feedback was invaluable in helping us to address some of the pain points they face on a daily basis, and we continue to work with the group to add new features to the software.”

@FlukeCorp @FlukePI @Alliander @NapierPR #PAuto #TandM #Maintenance

Precision acoustic imager.

 The new Fluke™ ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager uniquely enables the detection of corona and partial discharge from a safe distance of up to 120 metres. Teams can operate safely, minimise the risk of fires and help reduce outages. It also offers greater sensitivity to detect compressed air, gas, and vacuum system leaks, again reducing potentially costly downtime. 

The handheld operation of the rugged Fluke ii910 means problems can be identified from a safe distance without the need for cumbersome cords or accessories. Its intuitive operation means no training is required – it is simple to learn and easy to use. Electrical discharge detection or leak checking can be carried out as part of a regular maintenance routine, the handheld imager enabling users to quickly, and visually, pinpoint the location of faults from a safe distance and record data for later analysis. Even small, low-pressure or low-density leaks are now detected easily. The straightforward, intuitive interface allows technicians to isolate the sound frequency of the leak and filter out background noise in even the noisiest environments. The ii910 provides video recording of up to 5 minutes and has a battery life of at least 6 hours.

The seven-inch LCD touchscreen overlays a SoundMap™ on a visual image, for rapid identification of discharge or leaks between frequencies of 2-100kHz. The array of integral microphones converts ultrasound signals into clear visual images on the backlit touchscreen. Captured data can be transferred via an integral USB socket direct to a PC. From here the data can be uploaded to the Machine Learning PDQ Mode™ Reporting Platform. This will provide the most important partial discharge insights, including partial discharge type identification, indicating the relative severity of discharges and hence prioritising their repairs. LeakQ™ reporting software enables the prioritisation of leak fixing. 

Fluke’s innovative SoundSight™ technology now enables corona and partial discharge to be easily located with the ii910. Aimed at technicians working with high voltages in power generation and transmission and with industrial high voltage equipment, the Fluke ii910 provides more sophisticated detection than standard ultrasonic tools while offering the visual performance of more expensive UV cameras. It detects, locates and provides visual reporting and severity assessment of corona and partial discharges. 

Technicians in production locations can isolate the sound frequency of air, gas or vacuum leaks and filter out background noise in even the noisiest environments. Industrial maintenance technicians can identify leaks at a safe distance considerably faster than using traditional diagnostic methods even during peak production periods.

@FlukeCorp @FlukeCal #TandM #PAuto 

Analysing noise & vibration.

AcSoft has introduced the latest NoisePAD four-channel real time Acoustics & Vibration Analyser from SINUS. The combination of robust 8” tablet and DSP-based analyser is ideal for a range of automotive, NVH, aerospace, aeroacoustic, building acoustic and environmental monitoring applications, as well as engineering services, quality assurance and research and development.

When used in conjunction with the flexible Sinus SAMURAI™ software, NoisePAD is a four-channel sound level meter with real-time, third-octave filters and FFT-analyser. The measurement system allows the recording of audio signals up to 20 kHz bandwidth.

All connectors are protected against water and dust with rubber protection cups allowing the NoisePAD to be used outdoors as well as in the office with 12 hour operation and on board 4G, GPS and WiFi.

With bright TFT display, a very low power consumption and full connectivity, the NoisePAD unites the performance of a high quality measuring device with the functionality of a modern Windows tablet PC.

The universal SAMURAI 3.0 software package offers real time noise and vibration analysis offers comprehensive evaluation functions for post-processing. The Base package includes data recorder and FFT analyser.

The acoustic bundle comprises Class 1 sound level meter allowing simultaneous measurements with the frequency weightings A, C, Z and the time weightings Fast, Slow and Impulse.

The sound level meter also supports the processing of percentiles, automatic impulse detection, impulsive and low frequency characteristics as well as markers and triggers. The acoustic bundle also includes 1/3 octave analyser and reveberation time measurement.

The vibration bundle includes additional transfer FRF, vibration meter, Zoom FFT and Order tracking. A number of software options are available for SAMURAI 3.0 including post processing, automation, building acoustics, building vibration measurement, fractional octaves, NoiseCam, tracking, room acoustic measurement and sound intensity and sound power.

Standards
The latest NoisePAD meets a range of standards: IEC 61260 (class 1 filter); DIN EN SO 8041, ISO-2631, ISO 5349, ISO 8662 UNI 2614, UNI 11048 and UNI 9916 (HVMA weighting filters); DIN ISO 7919, ISO 2954 and ISO 10816 (evaluation of mechanical vibration) and IP54 rated with Lemo NIM-CAMAC protecting caps.

 #PAuto @Acsoft_Sound  @elhcomms

Noise & vibration testing.

Following the setting up of an acoustic calibration laboratory last year, Svantek UK – part of the AcSoft Group – is now offering in-house calibration of its wide range of high performance noise and vibration instrumentation for occupational health and environmental monitoring applications.

SV103 personal vibration meter

The company has replicated the acoustics calibration system used at Svantek’s facility in Poland meaning it can now perform a full factory calibration on all noise and vibration analysers and meters. As a result, new instruments shipped to customers have a fresh calibration certificate every time.
They have added a vibration calibration fixture using a Data Physics 16kg shaker together with Listen’s SoundCheck software and a Dytran reference accelerometer to give a wider range of capabilities. This enables it to calibrate vibration meters according to ISO 8041 and tri axial or single axis accelerometers.

Vibration analysers are calibrated by applying electrical signals to test the frequency response, linearity, overload/range limits, etc. The vibration meter is tested using mechanical excitation either with Svantek’s working standard reference accelerometer or with the customer's sensor.

The filter characteristics of the meters are also tested in accordance with the applicable standard either electrically or vibrationally using the Svantek reference sensor.

For accelerometers, the vibration test system allows the company to measure both sensitivity at the reference frequency and the frequency response of the sensor. This is completed by performing the back to back calibration method.

@Svantek_UK @PAuto #Calibration #Britain @elhcomms

New acoustic emission sensor for condition monitoring & preventative maintenance.

The new Type 8152C Piezotron® sensor, from Kistler, is ideal for monitoring acoustic emissions (AE) above 50 kHz on the surface of metal machines, structures and systems for preventative maintenance of rotating machines, monitoring cutting tools and press tools to detect signs of incipient failure and leakage monitoring of tanks, pipes and valves.

The rugged welded housing, wide operating temperature range from -54°C to 165°C and IP65 rating make the new sensor suitable for use in the most challenging industrial environments. ATEX Zone 0 and Zone 2 intrinsically safe versions are available for use in hazardous areas. Two frequency ranges, 50 to 400 kHz and 100 to 900 kHz, are offered in all versions. An integrated impedance converter provides a low impedance voltage output signal and a custom designed coupler supplies power to the sensor and provides signal processing.

The AE Sensor is simply mounted with an M6 or ¼ inch screw or a magnetic clamp onto the surface of the structure. The sensing element is acoustically isolated from the housing by design and is well protected against external noise and is ground isolated to prevent ground loops. Kistler AE sensors feature a very high sensitivity for surface (Rayleigh) and longitudinal waves over a broad frequency range and are designed to withstand high energy waves.

These new sensors provide a simple to install and highly reliable method of monitoring bearing based machinery, pressure vessels or flow turbulence with high frequency acoustic signatures. AE measuring can be used where vibration sensors are unsuitable due to the high energy nature of the emitted elastic waves. It also allows the reliable detection of fatigue and failure signals even in a high vibration environment. The measuring chain may be used for non-destructive testing or permanent online observation of continuous processes for condition monitoring and preventive maintenance applications. The high operating temperature of 165ºC and ATEX certifications option allows use in hazardous environments, such as processing industry applications where explosive gas or flammable dust is present.

Dynamic signal acquisition module

Adlink Technology has released a new four-channel USB 2.0 dynamic signal acquisition module, the USB-2405. A built-in IEPE excitation current source provides 2mA on each AI channel, and BNC connectors enable the USB-2405 to provide high accuracy and excellent dynamic performance for microphone and accelerometer measurement in vibration and acoustic applications. Featuring superior accuracy with low temperature drift, built-in anti-aliasing filters, support flexible trigger mode, and USB bus power, the USB-2405 embodies an ideal portable solution for time-frequency analysis and research.

High Accuracy with Low Temperature Drift

The ADLINK USB-2405 supports four analog input channels simultaneously sampling up to 128kS/s, and delivers 100 dB dynamic range and -94 dB THD of dynamic performance. Built-in anti-aliasing filters enable filter cutoff frequency to be automatically adjusted to the sampling rate, suppressing out-of-band noise and avoiding measurement distortion. The USB-2405 also supports auto-calibration for ensured accuracy, and minimizes temperature drift in the field with maximum gain drift of 11ppm/°C, an impressive 50% of the maximum available market performance. The USB-2405’s low DC measurement drift, along with temperature deviation, optimize accuracy in spite of the environment.

Flexible Sampling Rate & Triggering
The ADLINK USB-2405 provides flexible sampling rate, and built-in DDS (direct digital synthesis) generates a programmable sample clock with superior frequency resolution, enabling resolution of 3x10-4 S/s. In addition, the USB-2405 supports external digital/analog trigger source, and flexible trigger modes including post, delay, middle, gated, pre-trigger, and re-trigger, all maximizing convenience of use.

The USB-2405 provides lockable USB to enhance connectivity, and the included multi-functional stand fully supports desktop, rail, or wall mounting. ADLINK's easy-to-use U-Test software is included at no extra charge. With no programming required, the USB-2405 delivers fast, easy instrument setup and quality data acquisition. The USB-2405 supports Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP operating systems, and is fully compatible with third-party software such as LabVIEW™, MATLAB®, and Visual Studio.NET®.

Acoustic measurements products guide

Meggitt Sensing Systems, a Meggitt group division, has announced the global release of its new “Endevco® Acoustic Measurement Products Selection Guide”, a single comprehensive product specification resource, detailing Meggitt’s complete range of Endevco® acoustic sensors and instrumentation for automotive NVH, cabin noise, vibro-acoustic testing, appliance noise evaluation, environmental noise analysis, building acoustics, appliance noise evaluation, wind tunnel testing and other critical measurement applications.

Endevco® prepolarized condenser measurement microphones are offered in free-field, pressure, low-cost   array and random incidence types and may be used to meet IEC and ANSI standards. Array microphones offer a lower overall per channel measurement cost and are directly compatible with ISOTRON® (IEPE-type) signal conditioning, facilitating their use as drop-in replacements within existing accelerometer test system set-ups for as-needed precision noise measurements. Models may be purchased as stand-alone units or in a microphone and low-noise preamplifier combination with TEDS for larger channel count applications. Available for use with Endevco® precision measurement microphones are a full range of low-noise ISOTRON® preamplifiers, handheld calibrators and accessories.

Field mike!

Meggitt Sensing Systems Launches New Endevco ½” Free-Field Microphone and Preamplifier Set with TEDS Capabilities

Meggitt Sensing Systems has introduced the Endevco® model EM46AE, a combined 1/2” free-field pressure microphone and iTEDS enabled preamplifier (per IEEE 1451.4) set, designed for general purpose and larger channel count precision acoustic measurements within a variety of applications, including vehicle pass-by noise testing; environmental noise analysis; building acoustics; and appliance and other consumer product noise evaluations.

The Endevco® model EM46AE comes in a preassembled kit, consisting of a high-precision condenser microphone and preamplifier, both constructed of stainless steel for high durability. Units are assembled in a clean room environment to avoid contamination of the contacts and are calibrated together to form a reliable acoustic measurement system. These combined units are fully repairable. With a frequency response from 3.15 Hz to 20 kHz and a wide dynamic range of 14 dBA to 135 dB, the Endevco® model EM46AE microphone set is designed according to guidelines set forth by the IEC 61094 Class 1 standard, fulfilling the highest industry standards for acoustic product reliability and precision. Incorporation of iTEDS technology allows for the microphone and preamplifier to be recognized by any smart-transducer compatible input module. When connected, the analyzer will derive information such as microphone type, serial number and sensitivity, which is able to be read by the application software for simplified test setups.

Recommended accessories for use with the Endevco® model EM46AE include the model EM42AA handheld pistonphone calibrator, which facilitates field checks of complete acoustic measurement systems, as well as the in-house calibration of measurement microphones; the model 4416B ISOTRON® power supply (2-20 mA); and the model 133 three-channel signal conditioner. All Endevco® acoustic sensors and instrumentation are also backed by a five-year comprehensive product warranty.

New microphone sets concept

G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration (G.R.A.S.) has announced the release of a new microphone sets concept where focus is on simplicity, reliability and robustness.

Uniquely designed based on customer feedback, G.R.A.S. Type 46 Microphone Sets offer a new approach to acoustic measurement data integrity, by reducing user setup and handling errors and improving overall reliability. Sets are available in ¼” and ½” diameters and in free-field, pressure and random incidence types, with specifications developed to support the most common acoustic measurement parameters. They are assembled in a dust-free environment to avoid contamination of the microphone and preamplifier interface; are calibrated together as a single unit; and are sealed with a removable label, for seamless integration into both single- and multi-channel applications. By using these combined sets, mix-ups of microphones, preamplifiers and system calibration data are alleviated.

G.R.A.S. Type 46 Microphone Sets are delivered with individual calibration charts, including sensitivity values and frequency response curves, allowing the sensitivity values to be used directly within system setups. For frequent verification of the measurement chain, a 114 dB sound calibrator is supplied as a sound source. The sets can be connected directly to all pro­fessional measurement systems and are available to support both constant current power (CCP) and 7-pin LEMO inputs. For larger channel count applications, G.R.A.S. Type 46 Microphone Sets also incorporate IEEE 1451.1 (TEDS), allowing for a plug-and-play solution and the ability to identify individual unit properties, types and calibration data, with the added benefits of TEDS onboard memory storage capabilities. In addition, all G.R.A.S. Type 46 Microphone Sets are offered with a 5-year comprehensive product warranty.

Acoustic measurements

New Endevco® Low-Profile Surface Microphone with Integral ISOTRON® Amplifier and TEDS

Meggitt Sensing Systems has announced the new market introduction of the Endevco® model EM40PS, a low-profile surface microphone with integral ISOTRON® (IEPE-type) amplifier and TEDS, designed to facilitate simplified larger channel count acoustic measurements on typical planar and curved surfaces exposed to air slipstreams.

The robust design of model EM40PS requires no microphone holders or stands, and incorporates a dust-free, water-repellant grid cap and a lightweight, detachable silicon rubber fairing, allowing for near-flush mounting on curvilinear surfaces and mounting pads. Models also include an integral 3.3 ft (1 m) coaxial cable with microdot connector. Units offer a nominal sensitivity of 5 mV/Pa (@ 250 Hz), wide audio frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and large dynamic range from <30 dBA to 136 dB over an operating temperature range of -20ºC to +80ºC (-4ºF to +176ºF) with low sensitivity to base bending. Because of its lightness, the EM40PS contributes very little mass to thin plates, and can be laid flat on its 2” (51mm) diameter rubber pad, or surface mounted using a double-sided adhesive pad for automotive, aeronautical, general acoustics and sound pressure level testing requirements. Pressure equalization is via a vent placed at the front of the microphone by the side of its diaphragm, important for both aircraft usage and on-road vehicle measurements in mountainous country. Close manufacturing tolerances and the advantages of TEDS enable the microphone to offer a high degree of interchangeability, precluding the need for accounting of individual characteristics.

Recommended accessories for the model EM40PS include the model EM42AA handheld pistonphone calibrator; the model 4416B constant-current power supply (2-20mA); and the model 133 signal conditioner. With its unique size and performance characteristics, the unit is ideal for measuring wind-induced noise on ground and airborne vehicles; acoustic radiation surface measurements; wind tunnel noise testing; and for making internal vs. external noise measurement comparisons on moving vehicles.

Acoustic sensors & instruments

New line of precision acoustic sensors and instrumentation


Meggitt Sensing Systems has introduced a new line of Endevco® acoustic sensors and instrumentation, designed expressly for use in automotive NVH, cabin noise, vibro-acoustic testing, appliance noise evaluation, wind tunnel testing and other critical sound and noise measurement applications.

Endevco® prepolarized condenser measurement microphones, available in 1/8”, ¼”, and ½” diameters, are offered in free-field, pressure, low-cost array and random incidence types and can be used to meet IEC and ANSI standards. Array microphones offer a lower overall per channel measurement cost and are directly compatible with ISOTRON® (IEPE-type) signal conditioning. They can be used as drop-in replacements within existing accelerometer test system set-ups for as-needed precision noise measurements. Models may be purchased as stand-alone units, or in a microphone and low-noise preamplifier combination with iTEDS on-board memory storage capabilities, facilitating their use within larger channel count applications. All microphones are constructed with a stainless steel protective grid case and housing, as well as a special stainless steel alloy diaphragm, for high reliability in a variety of application environments.

Available for use with these precision measurement microphones are a full range of low-noise ISOTRON® preamplifiers, handheld calibrators, and accessories. In addition, all acoustic sensors and instrumentation are covered by a five-year comprehensive product warranty.