Handheld temperature and pressure.

RS Components (RS) stocks the new DPI 705E family of handheld pressure and temperature indicators from Druck, a world leader in piezo-resistive sensors and test and calibration instruments.

The range comprises two versions – the DPI 705E for use in safe areas and the DPI 705E-IS (Intrinsically Safe) for use in hazardous areas. These models combine a tough, durable design and build on and replace the highly regarded DPI 705 family. The instruments are designed for single-handed use and introduce new and improved features to ensure even greater accuracy and reliable pressure or temperature monitoring during commissioning, fault finding, and system testing, including leak testing.

A key advantage of the DPI 705E family is its enhanced accuracy, providing 12-month uncertainty up to 0.05% full scale (FS) over a temperature range of -10°C to +50°C. An extensive pressure range is covered – from 25mbar to 1400bar in Absolute, Gauge or Differential configurations.

The DPI 705E and DPI 705E-IS both have integrated pressure sensors and are designed to interface directly with external remote pressure or optional remote plug-and-play Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors, providing even more flexibility whilst out in the field. Each pressure sensor holds integral calibration data, meaning a single DPI 705E can be used with multiple remote sensors, allowing various ranges to be measured in seconds. The sensors hold a record of the calibration date, which is relayed to the operator through the ‘calibration due’ countdown shown on the pressure indicator's display.

The leak test function is rapidly configurable between one, three or five minutes. The power-efficient design means that the indicators can be used for eight hours per day, six days per week for one year using a single set of batteries.

DPI 705E products are rugged, simple to use and suitable for widespread applications in industries such as utilities, HVAC, medical equipment, metrological laboratories and clean rooms, as well as for service and maintenance.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS #PAuto #TandM

Rugged tablet PC.

The E+H Field Xpert SMT70 works with virtually every modern field instrument with “One Click Connectivity.”

The Field Xpert SMT70 is a rugged tablet PC for commissioning and maintenance staff to manage field instruments and document the work progress just introduced by Endress+Hauser. The tablet comes preinstalled with DeviceCare device configuration software and device library —so it is ready to go, right out of the box.

The Field Xpert SMT70 supports HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, Modbus, CDI and Endress+Hauser service interfaces. It can connect to field instrumentation devices directly via a USB or Bluetooth wireless modem, or via a gateway, remote I/O or multiplexer to a bus system.

The Field Xpert device library has more than 2,700 pre-installed device and communication drivers, allowing it to work with many different instruments from a wide variety of vendors. The drivers can be used to communicate with virtually all HART and FOUNDATION Fieldbus devices, and additional device drivers (DTMs) can be easily installed if required. Generic HART DTM and PROFIBUS profile DTMs also enable communication with field devices using these protocols.

The Field Xpert SMT70, therefore, works with virtually every modern field instrument with “One Click Connectivity.“ To connect the Field Xpert SMT70 to a HART flowmeter, for example, the operator simply clicks on the app, which then prompts the user to select Automatic Cconnection and the app connects to the instrument, and the tablet is ready to perform diagnostics, configurations or commissioning with the built-in device configuration software. The tablet also supports Endress+Hauser Heartbeat Technology and FieldCare instrument diagnostic and monitoring functions.

The tablet PC has Windows 10 Pro software installed. It comes with an 11.6 inch Multitouch HD display, a 5MP auto focus camera, a 2MP front facing camera, and up to 256 GB storage. Communication ports and supported networks include USB, Ethernet, HDMI, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—with 4G LTE and GPS available as an option. The battery runtime is 14 hours. The tablet comes in a general purpose configuration as well hazardous area configuration for Class 1, Division 2 Groups A,B,C,D, T4 and Class 1, Zone 2, Groups IIC, T4.

@Endress_Hauser  #PAuto 

Barometric pressure sensors for portable applications.

Two new MEMS-based barometric pressure sensors from Omron Electronic Components Europe are specifically designed to support height and pressure measurement in drones, smartphones, pedometers and other battery powered mobile systems.

The new Omron 2SMPB-02B and 2SMPB-02E sensors provide stable and reliable height and pressure measurements, allowing changes in elevation of as little as 2m to be reliably recorded.

Developed as an evolution of the successful blood pressure gauge, the new sensors have been specifically remodelled for mobile applications and are smaller at just 2.0 x 2.5 x 0.85mm in size. Due to innovations in the production process and Omron MEMS technology, the devices are very competitively priced.

The new barometric sensors measures pressure with high accuracy based on the built-in low noise 24bit ADC and feature digital control and output via I2C / SPI interfaces. Both automatically power down non-working circuits to minimise the power consumption. Individual calibration parameters are stored in One Time Programmable-ROM (OTP), and are retained when the system is powered down. An integrated temperature compensation circuit helps ensure accurate absolute pressure measurements.

Commenting, Gabriele Fulco, Omron Sensors Product Manager for Europe, said “These easy to use sensors are perfect for the growing variety of wearable, handheld and mobile battery powered applications and have low power consumption making them optimal for smart phones, tablets, pedometers and drones. Usually MEMS sensors are affected by assembly stress, but because these sensors have a ceramic substrate and a metal lid, there is much lower parameter shift during assembly.”

Both sensors are configured to measure the pressure of air between 30kPa and 110kPa. Maximum pressure is 800kPa and the sensors can be used at temperatures of -40 up to 85 Celsius without condensation or icing. The sensors have a pin layout that is compatible with alternative solutions on the market, simplifying integration.

2SMPB-02E matches the features and performance of the 2SMPB-02B but offers a better level of accuracy down to +/-50Pa. The -02B version is +/-100Pa.

Applications are extensive and include wearables, tablets, smart phones, drones, altitude meters, car navigation and floor detection.

@OmronEurope  #Transport  #Pauto

Gas detection instrumentation for German agency!

Ion Science has recently supplied 300 Tiger volatile organic compound (VOC) monitors to Germany’s Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) where they are part of the vital chemical measurement system on board CRBN ‘first responder’ reconnaissance vehicles. The hand-held photoionsation detector (PID) was chosen for its industry-beating anti-contamination design and ability to provide continuous, real-time measurements reflecting the potentially hazardous situation.

In response to new threats such as 911 and the flood catastrophe of 2002, the BBK was established on 1 May 2004 as part of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The interdisciplinary approach of this office includes all services of civil safety prevention and links them to an efficient protection system for the country’s population and its basic survival needs.

Each of the 300 CRBN reconnaissance vehicles in operation across Germany will have a Tiger instrument on board. The 4x4s are used to measure, trace and report chemical contamination, find debris and to mark and monitor contaminated areas. The crew consists of four people; two qualified teams per vehicle can operate in turns.

Clemens Verley from Ion Science Messetechnik (ISM) comments: “CRBN disasters require immediate and proper intervention. Rapid survey of large areas with the help of on board systems and simultaneous reception of GPS data allows immediate formulation of contamination profiles for population protective measures. Each vehicle’s chemical measurement system includes a VOC monitor and ion mobility spectrometer.

“In Germany, the Tiger is becoming increasingly recognised as the best performing PID on the market and widely used by the fire department, for example. We worked closely with BBK to fully understand their application and unique monitoring requirements. They subsequently chose a bespoke version of the Tiger for its well-proven, anti-contamination design and other key features, including the latest probe with leak proof seal that offers increased sideways impact resistance and reliability.”

ISM developed an innovative in vehicle docking station that charges the Tiger whilst in transit, ensuring continuous real-time measurements that provide an accurate reflection of the potentially hazardous situation.

“The measurement data is immediately downloaded in graph and table format with the results plotted on maps to show potential evacuation areas,” Clemens concludes.

Providing market-leading accuracy and run time, the Tiger’s PID sensor capabilities utilise advanced patented Fence Electrode technology, a three-electrode format with increased resistance to humidity (up to 99% RH non-condensing) and contamination. Combined with 24-hour battery life, these features maximise usage by minimising erroneous readings in high humidity and drift in harsh environments. The anti-contamination design also reduces calibration frequency.

Independently verified as the industry’s best performing PID for its speed of response, accuracy and linearity, the Tiger provided the most stable, repeatable readings when tested against competitor instruments in humid and contaminated environments.

The instrument’s well proven MiniPID 2 is a simple plug and play sensor that has been specially developed by Ion Science to deliver a dynamic and reliable response to a vast number of VOCs.
Designed for rapid detection, with an unrivalled response time of just two seconds, and the widest measurement range of one part per billion (ppb) up to 20,000 parts per million (ppm)*, the robust Tiger is ready to use, straight out of the box, and if required, extremely simple to configure.

It offers worldwide Intrinsic Safety (IS) certification, making it suitable for use in potentially explosive, hazardous environments, and also meets ATEX, IECEx, North American and Canadian standards.

Inexpensive disposable parts such as filters and lamps are easy to change, minimising downtime. Simple connectivity to a PC via the USB allows data to be downloaded quickly.

@ionscience #PAuto #Germany

Validate humidity probes quickly and simply.

Michell Instruments has introduced a new portable verification system for humidity probes – the HygroCal100 humidity validator. Weighing just 3.2 kg, it is less than a ¼ of the weight of its closest competitor and with a battery life of up to 8 hours the unit is designed with portability in mind.

The humidity test chamber is highly stable and allows the evaluation of relative humidity sensors in the range of 5 to 95% RH. Up to seven probes, with different diameters and output signals, can be validated simultaneously. The HygroCal100’s innovative design allows the probes to be integrated with the chamber and user interface enabling the operator to easily monitor the readings of each probe during the calibration cycle. In addition, all the calibration data can be downloaded from the unit on to a USB drive for later use.

An external reference hygrometer, such as Michell’s fundamental, chilled mirror Optidew Vision, can be integrated into the system. If this reference has a traceable calibration, it allows users to incorporate this traceability into their verifications.

The unit is easily programmable through its touch-screen interface enabling calibration routines to be completely automated. The operator defines the humidity points, and time to remain at each of them, inserts the probes and the reference (if used), then leaves the unit to work through the cycle.

The HygroCal100 contains an internal polymer reference – Michell’s latest generation HS3 sensor, giving class-leading ±0.8%rh accuracy. For long term reliability, the HygroCal100 can be calibrated against an external reference. This is an automatic function: once the reference is connected and the calibration initiated, the HygroCal100 automatically runs through the steps and prompts the user for actions.

• Michell Instruments are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Dust & aerosol monitors!

Ashtead Technology’s comprehensive range of portable dust and aerosol monitors is now available in a variety of flexible rent or purchase schemes. 

“Our objective is to offer the best solution for every monitoring need,” says Regional Sales Manager, Josh Thomas. “Instrument choice is affected by a number of factors such as the application and the target measurement parameters. As an authorised TSI distributor, we can offer short and long-term rental options in addition to outright purchase, providing customers with a flexible solution to meet their requirements.”

The instruments can be used for a range of applications, including air sampling and dust monitoring where accuracy and reliability are key. For example, they are commonly employed for occupational hygiene surveys and for both indoor and outdoor air quality assessments. Certain instruments from the range are also used to monitor emissions from industrial processes, in research, and to conduct fit-testing for respirators.

New compact portable hygrometer with fast response!

The new MDM50 portable hygrometer from Michell Instruments gives rapid dew-point measurements in compressed air – T95 to -35°C from ambient typically in less than 5 minutes. It has been designed to make spot checks of dew point in air and gases as simple and fast as possible. The key to the MDM50’s measurement speed is the new generation of sensing element, which also provides long-term stability and resistance to chemical contamination, making the MDM50 suitable for use in industrial settings where contamination could be an issue. As well as the chemically-resistant sensor and integrated particulate filter, the enclosure is rated to NEMA 6 (IP68) when the lid is closed. To ensure simple operation, the MDM50 is fully self-contained with an integrated sampling system within the compact case. Taking a measurement involves connecting to the sample gas with a Quick Connect or optional Swagelok tube fitting and turning on the instrument: the MDM50 automatically starts to measure the dew point of the sample gas. As well as its simplicity, the MDM50 is a practical instrument, offering a wide measurement range of ‑50 to +20°C dew point. It is light (4kg) and fully portable. The long battery life of 16 hours operation enables users to work in locations where there is no access to charging points with no need to worry their work will be cut short. The tough, durable case protects the sensor and sampling system from damage in demanding industrial conditions. As well as dew point in compressed air dryers, typical applications for the MDM50 include moisture measurements in medical gases, polymer chip dryers and instrument air. • Michell Instruments products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

High-Speed, Rugged rackmount &portable recorders for ground, sea and air applications!

Two additions to the Talon® family of high-speed turnkey recording systems have been announced by Pentek. The Model RTR 2728 rugged portable and the Model RTR 2748 rugged rackmount recorders use state-of-the-art SSD (solid state drive) storage technology to achieve aggregate recording and playback rates up to 4 GBytes per second.

As complete recording systems, these Talon recorders are ideal for recording and reproducing wideband IF signals at sample rates up to 1 GSamples/sec. Systems are built on a Windows 7 Professional workstation with an Intel Core I7 processor and provide both a GUI (graphical user interface) and API (application programmer’s interface) to control the system. Signal analysis tools are also provided to allow the user to monitor and analyze signals prior to, during and after a recording.

According to Rodger Hosking, vice president of Pentek, “The new Talon recording systems have the ability to capture and reproduce signal bandwidths approaching 500 MHz. The recorded signals can be reproduced to replicate live sensor equipment or receivers in the field. Today’s higher-precision converters require more storage for long flights or experiments. The advanced SSDs we use in our ruggedized recorders not only add capacity, but they also keep up with the very high data rates. For example, the rackmount system can record up to 5.3 hours of contiguous data without interruption. And, both recorders operate flawlessly under shock and vibration, making them ideal for severe environments."

Data files include time stamping as well as recording parameters and optional GPS information. Files are stored in the native Windows NTFS (new technology file system) format, eliminating the need for file conversion. Files can also be transferred from the system through gigabit Ethernet, USB ports or written to optical disks using the built-in 8X double layer DVD±R/RW drive.

The recorder’s SSDs are configured to support numerous RAID levels giving the user many options to balance performance versus failsafe trade-offs. They are hot-swappable and can be easily removed or exchanged during or after a mission to retrieve recorded data.

Data Streaming
Both recording systems use Pentek’s high powered Virtex-6-based Cobalt® boards that provide the data streaming engine for the high-speed A/D and D/A converters. A built-in synchronization module is provided to allow for multi-channel phase-coherent operation. The rackmount system is scalable to accommodate multiple chassis for more channels and higher aggregate data rates.

Supporting Features and Products
Pentek SystemFlow® recording software features a Windows-based GUI (Graphical User Interface) that provides a simple and intuitive means to configure and control the system.

PAT tester!

Robin, one of the most famous brands within the British electrical testing arena and now partnered with Amprobe, is offering a new, lightweight Portable Appliance (PAT) Tester. The easy-to-use Robin-Amprobe GT-400-UK PAT Tester has been developed for the commercial electrician or facilities maintenance technician to carry out a wide variety of safety measurements of electrical appliances in accordance with the IET Code of Practice and EN 61010 Safety Standards.

This rugged GT-400-UK PAT Tester, recently released,  is designed to be intuitive to use with no training required. Rugged, yet easily portable for on-the-go testing, the high quality construction and German manufacture offers years of service. The GT-400-UK instantly measures the safety and integrity of electrical appliances and IEC cables. It also measures earth ground resistance, and insulation resistance measurements at 500V.

This company offers a wide range of cost-effective, innovative test equipment specifically designed to make the electrician’s job faster and easier. This also includes a range of single, dual and multifunction 17th Edition Installation Testers specifically designed for the British electrical market. Robin Amprobe products are sold and supported by a wide range of dealers and are backed up by a professional support service.

High-end Visual IR thermometer

Fluke has introduced the high-end Fluke® VT04 Visual Infrared Thermometer, a troubleshooting tool with an infrared heat map which offers higher resolution as well as temperature alarms and time-lapse features. Fluke Visual IR Thermometers fill the gap for when a single-spot temperature reading is not enough and a high-resolution thermal image is more than users need: the one tool combines the visual insight of a thermal imager, the visual images of a digital camera, and the point-and-shoot convenience of an IR thermometer.

Compared to the VT02, the Fluke VT04 offers a wider 28°x28° field of view for improved scanning and up-close evaluation and four times sharper images. It also features a Hi/Lo temperature alarm which enables hot spots to be found in seconds, and time-lapse functionality which automatically monitors equipment over time or automatically captures images after an alarm has been triggered. Images are saved to a micro-SD card, eliminating the need to write down single or multiple measurements: analysis and reporting software is included.
Using the new Fluke VT04 is far faster for conducting inspections of electrical, industrial, HVAC/R and automotive applications than an infrared thermometer, which requires multiple readings and manually recorded results.

The Fluke VT04, like the VT02, instantly detects problems using blended thermal and digital imagery. It will display and save images as full visual, full infrared, or in three blended modes (25, 50, and 75 percent). Markers pinpoint hot and cold spots indicating the hottest temperature with a red box and the coldest with a blue box. A temperature reading is provided at the centre point.

Affordable, compact, and intuitive, the Fluke Visual Infrared Thermometers operate with focus-free simplicity, expanding the user base from senior to junior technicians and broadening the applications for in-house staff as well as creating new business opportunities for service contractors. Images can be imported into SmartView® analysis and reporting software, included with the VT04 and VT02, to produce professional reports that document problems detected, or repairs made, for management and customer review.

• Fluke products are marketed by Irish Power & Process in Ireland.

Portable Mag Flow meter

OTT Hydrometry has launched a new portable current meter for fast accurate flow measurements in open channels. The OTT MF Pro is robust, simple to use and able to provide accurate measurements in shallow or low flow conditions, even in turbulent, high sediment or at sites where weed growth is an issue.

As an electromagnetic current meter with no moving parts, the OTT MF Pro requires almost no maintenance and never requires recalibration. The instrument’s display guides users through the cross-section measurements and velocity data are graphed in real-time, allowing trends to be visualised quickly. Users can enter depth information manually during the measurement work or an optional depth sensor is available

At the end of the measurement, the instrument automatically calculates discharge employing recognised international standards for flow monitoring. All data is logged and can be transferred to PC at a later time.

OTT’s Robin Guy, a flow monitoring specialist, says “The MF Pro will be extremely popular with hydrologists because measurements often need to be taken quickly and many rivers and streams are difficult to access, so a lightweight, robust, fast instrument is ideal.”

An intermittant need for gas analysis equipment?

The MCERTS approved Gasmet DX4000 transportable FTIR gas Continuous Emissions Monitoring System is available for hire from Quantitech.

Able to monitor multiple gases simultaneously even in emissions that are hot, corrosive and high in moisture, the DX4000 is ideal for a wide variety of gas analysis applications. Quantitech's Dr Andrew Hobson says "The DX4000 is popular for renting because of its portability and flexibility; it has the same capability as a rack mounted CEMS, but provides users with the ability to measure almost any gas at multiple sites, so it can be used to verify fixed CEMS, and for research and investigative work. It is also often hired as customers 'try before they buy'."

The DX4000 is typically set up to measure H2O, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, N2O, SO2, NH3, CH4, HCl, HF and a variety of different VOC´s, but additional gases can be added without any hardware changes. Easy-to-use Calcmet™ software is supplied with the analyser and results can be displayed in ppm, mg/Nm3 or Vol-%. All measurement data and spectra can be stored for later analysis.

Portable manometers

Eurolec Instrumentation has introduced their new range of microprocessor based portable manometers: the PR Micro and Euro-Mano ranges.

Both ranges are compact, robust and feature digital zero adjust buttons, selection of measuring units (e.g. BAR, mBar, Pa, PSI, inH20 etc) and an autoranging display. Models range from 20mBar up to 7 Bar with up to 0.001 resolution. Other standard features include a selectable auto switch off function and displays with backlight and low battery indicator. There is an option for USB output also.

The Euro Mano series is housed in a robust moulded PC-ABS casing – the PR Micro with its extruded aluminium casing offers even greater protection for tougher environments. Accessories include foam lined carrying case, protective pouch, wall mounting bracket & pressure calibration pump.

Both models feature good accuracy (+/- 0.25% full scale; +/- 1 digit) and offer great versatility in pressure measurement providing application solutions for e.g. HVAC, air flow, process pressure checks, clean room monitoring and general industrial maintenance.

Michell at Advanced Manufacturing

Showing smallest and fastest portable in range at mtec

Michell Instruments will be showing their smallest and fastest portable dew-point hygrometer at mtec, part of Advanced Manufacturing (Birmingham GB 27-28 April 2010). At just 21cm by 17cm, weighing 1.5kg, and with a battery life of up to 48 hours typical usage, it enables the user to take field moisture measurements with the minimum of fuss.

The MDM300 has an innovative ergonomic design, with all the buttons easily accessible while the instrument is held comfortably in both hands. All measurement parameters are available at the touch of a button and the password-protected set-up menu is simple to navigate and intuitive to use. Both instrument set-up and downloading of logged data are easy with a Bluetooth connection that comes as standard.

New developments in Michell’s ceramic sensor technology have dramatically reduced the response time for low dew points, allowing for many more measurements to be taken each day.

To maximize flexibility, external sensors can be easily connected and used to measure and display pressure and temperature. These parameters can also be used to provide pressure and temperature compensated measurements improving accuracy and allowing users to choose from a range of measurement parameters.

If you visit Michell at MTEC on stand 1340 see a demonstration of the MDM300, or for advice on moisture measurement and control. Michell have over 35 years of research and development in the field of moisture measurement, and have recently added a range of oxygen analyzers to their range of instruments.