Safety, explosion mitigation and prevention enhanced by acquisition!

Newson Gale has been acquired by the HOERBIGER Group and is now a member of its Safety Solutions business segment. Hoerbiger is comprised of leaders in their respective explosion protection segments including IEP Technologies in explosion protection, the Combustion Research Center in materials testing and Newson Gale in controlling electrostatic ignition hazards.

Newson Gale's Earth-Rite Range

Newson Gale will continue to trade under the Newson Gale brand, with the current management team remaining in place. "Our commitment and focus at adding value to our customers by preventing fires and explosions caused by static discharges remains unchanged and we will continue to develop and bring to market performance defining static control equipment and services."

For decades, the Hoerbiger has been an innovation and technology leader for explosion protection and check valves to be used in oil, gas, carbon and dust applications as well as in the mechanical and plant engineering industry. The introduction of the business segment Safety Solutions within the Group underscores this commitment to innovation and technology as well as our continuing focus on our customer’s safety.

“With the acquisition of Newson Gale, HOERBIGER Safety Solutions enhances its position as a leading player in safety and explosion mitigation. We have searched for, and found, a partner who will be committed to the future success of Newson Gale", says Newson Gale Managing Director, Mr. Graham Tyers.

@NewsonGale #Hörbiger #PAuto

Earth testers for simpler, faster testing!

Two new Earth Ground Testers, indispensable troubleshooting tools to help maintain uptime and lower the risk of electric shock to personnel ahve been introduced by Fluke. Their 1623-2 and 1625-2 GEO Earth Ground Testers offer automated data collection and storage, with download capabilities via a USB port, eliminating data entry and recording errors. The choice of models targets electrical contractors, industrial maintenance technicians and power utilities and telecom engineers. The higher end 1625-2 features Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) which identifies interference and chooses measurement frequency to provide an even more accurate earth ground value. Optional colour coded wires provide easier identification and deploying of wire reels and stakes, thus offering faster setup.

A lack of proper grounding also increases the risk of equipment failure. Without an effective grounding system, electrical devices are subject to instrumentation errors, harmonic distortion issues, power factor problems and a host of possible intermittent dilemmas. Studies show that as much as 25% of power quality problems are related to poor grounding. The new IP56-rated Fluke 1623-2 and 1652-2 GEO Earth Ground Testers can perform all four types of earth ground measurement:

• 3- and 4-pole Fall of Potential (using stakes)
• 4-pole Soil Resistivity testing (using stakes)
• Selective testing (using 1 clamp and stakes)
• Stakeless testing (using 2 clamps only)

The testers are also easy to use. For each test, the tester indicates which stakes or clamps need to be connected and the large rotary switch can be used even with a gloved hand. Other advanced features on the Fluke 1625-2 include R* measurement, which calculates earth ground impedance at 55Hz to more accurately reflect the earth ground resistance than a fault-to earth ground would see, and adjustable limits for quicker testing.

With the stakeless test method, two clamps are placed around the earth ground rod and both are connected to the tester: no earth ground stakes are used at all. The tester automatically determines the resistance of the earth ground rod which does not need to be disconnected - leaving the bonded earth ground system intact during test. This enables tests inside buildings, of power pylons, and anywhere there is no access to soil. This test method only works if a bonded earth ground system exists for the building or structure under test, but most are. If there is only one path to ground, as at many residential applications, the stakeless method will not provide an acceptable value and the Fall of Potential test method must be used.

Available also as complete kits, these come with the 1623-2 or 1625-2 tester, test leads, 4 earth ground stakes, 3 cable reels with wire, 2 clamps, batteries, and manual - all inside a professional Fluke carrying case.

Earthing clamp approved!

Self-testing grounding clamp receives IECEX approval

The Bond-Rite Intrinsically Safe Self-Testing Static Grounding Clamp from Newson Gale is designed for verifying safe low-resistance static grounding and bonding conditions in many operations involving flammable liquid vapour, gas and combustible dust handling environments. The original model was launched in 2001 and there are now over 10,000 units in use in the worldwide chemical processing industries. The unit is commonly used for hazardous area static earth/grounding and bonding applications where there is a need for positive confirmation during drumming, filling, mixing and other transfer and handling operations involving solvents and/or combustible powdered materials. A pulsing green LED indicator provides the user with reassurance when a low-resistance bond to earth/ground has been established even in the presence of insulating coatings, oxidisation, corrosion or excessive contact resistance, as well as continuously monitoring the condition of the bonding cable.

While retaining the original innovative patented design features, the Bond-Rite Clamp has recently achieved upgraded hazardous area certification to the latest applicable sections of IEC 60079, enabling it to be used in global markets where the IECEX scheme is recognized, in addition to its existing approvals according to ATEX (European) and NEC (North American) hazardous area standards. As part of the updated certification, the unit has now been tested and approved for a wider ambient temperature range from – 40 deg C to + 60 deg C. This enhanced rating, coupled with its IP65 and NEMA4X ingress and environmental protection increases the range of applications where the Bond-Rite clamp may be put into use, both indoors and outdoors, while the long-life lithium battery power source means that installation is simple and cost effective, requiring no mains/line voltage power supply.

The Bond-Rite Clamp is suitable for use in all IEC/ATEX Gas and Dust Zones (0, 1, 2 and 20, 21, 22) as well as NEC Hazardous Location Classes I, II, III and Divisions 1 and 2. The standard unit is supplied complete with 5 metre/16ft retractable (coiled) hytrel static-dissipative cable, earth/ground connection junction box and stowage point for the clamp, and models are available where the clamp is fitted to alternative cable lengths or self-rewind cable reels. Another popular option is the Bond-Rite EZ which is a totally portable bonding and verification system for use in temporary or mobile applications, or wherever there is a requirement to continuously monitor an equipotential bond between two conductive items or earth/ground.

Earthing & bonding handbook

A newly updated and expanded 32-page earthing & bonding applications hand-book from Newson Gale provides a wide range of information on controlling static electricity in hazardous areas. Information sections include a general introduction to the hazards and methods of control of industrial static hazards, 17 illustrated application drawings, a guide to hazardous area equipment selection, a comparison of International, European and North American approval codes, a plant operator’s maintenance guide and a safety checklist.

The extensive general introduction to electrostatic hazards and control includes a review of the source and nature of static electricity, the harmful effects it imposes in various types of flammable or combustible atmospheres, common means of control including relevant technical standards and a discussion of the equipment available for hazardous area applications.

The illustrated arrangements are based on Newson Gale’s innovative range of static earthing and bonding equipment. The applications include those involving drums and containers, mobile vessels and equipment, bulk storage containers, tankers, drums in storage, fluidized bed and drying equipment, rotating vessels, pipes/ducting systems and personnel/footwear. One of the new inclusions in the handbook is the growing area of mobile/field earthing including vacuum tanker transfers and trans-loading. Each application is described in some detail and clearly illustrated, along with summarized guidance from the main international technical standards.

The guide to hazardous area equipment approvals and comparison of IECEX, European and North American certification systems covers the main international codes with thumbnail descriptions of each, while the maintenance guide and safety checklist are must reading for even experienced plant operators. The hand-book is available in printed or PDF format and is free on request from the publishers.

Earth monitoring

The recently upgraded Earth-Rite FIBC from Newson Gale is an effective way to ensure correctly specified Static Dissipative (SD) or Conductive materials are used in hazardous area applications involving FIBCS (big-bags or super-sacks) and other flexible or semi-rigid containers.

Type C FIBC’s are commonly used to control the risk of uncontrolled static discharge when loading or unloading bulk powdered and other loose solid materials in hazardous areas. Depending on the application, the potentially explosive atmosphere where the transfer process takes place may be a combustible dust, or sometimes a dangerous hybrid atmosphere comprising dust and solvent vapours. Bearing in mind the inherent risks, it is always necessary to earth the FIBC prior to product transfer, however in view of the need to attach a mechanical earthing clamp to a flexible tab, many safety conscious organizations prefer to use a monitoring system to take the guesswork out of this operation.

The Earth-Rite FIBC fulfills this need through intrinsically safe monitoring electronics which continuously verify the containers’ resistance and satisfactory connection to earth. When these conditions are confirmed, the system provides local indication to operating personnel in the form of pulsing green multi-LEDS, along with a pair of control contacts (DPDT) which can be interlocked with the process to prevent transfer of product until a safe condition exists.

The system is certified for safe use in hazardous areas to all major worldwide approvals and can be installed in accordance with IECEX/ATEX Zoning or North American NEC Class/Division requirements. The Earth-Rite FIBC is simple to install and operate, and is supplied with a special stainless steel earthing clamp assembly, purpose designed for clamping onto flexible/fabric static dissipative materials. The main controller and indication unit is housed inside an IP66/NEMA 4X enclosure and is available with universal AC (110/120 – 220/240V) or DC (12 – 24V) power supply options.

The Earth-Rite FIBC forms part of Newson Gale’s innovative range of Static Earthing & Bonding Equipment. For detailed specifications, model numbering and further options please contact Newson Gale or your local distributor.