Space age technology for rivers.

Satellite technology enhances river flow monitors.

A wireless, continuous river monitoring solution to meet the requirements of water managers and regulators such as the English Environment Agency (EA), has been developed by Nivus. Utilising satellite technology, the new Wireless Transit Time method avoids the requirement for invasive capital works on rivers.

Background.
River flow measurements underpin several of the EA’s core functions, including flood warning, modelling, forecasting and planning, as well as the management of water infrastructure and abstraction licenses. Flow monitoring also informs the EA’s work to monitor long-term indicators of change in catchments, and track the effects of climate change.

The EA operates around 7,000 hydrometric monitoring stations across England. This includes high-resolution data (mainly 15 minute) measurements of river flow, river level, groundwater and rainfall, as well as daily data.

"The measurement of river flow in England presents a particular set of challenges,” explains Sam Everitt, National Hydrometry Advisor at the EA. “We monitor everything from slowly responding lowland rivers to catchments that can experience rapid changes in flow during storm events. This means that flow monitoring technology has to be sufficiently robust and versatile to perform reliably across a wide range of river conditions."

The EA operates a variety of flow measurement techniques, and the Transit Time method has been employed for decades to monitor relatively clean rivers. Traditionally, the main drawback of the Transit Time method has been the necessity to install cabling across or under the river.

Transit time flow monitoring.
This standard flow measurement method (ISO 6416) relies on the highly accurate measurement of acoustic signals emitted upstream and downstream. Sensors are necessary on both banks of a river so that it is possible to exploit the characteristic of sound waves travelling faster in the direction of the flow than they do when travelling against it. One sensor acts as a transmitter sending a signal downstream, and the sensor (transmitter/receiver) on the opposite bank receives it. The process is then reversed to measure the upstream signal.

Highly accurate flow velocities are determined by calculating the difference between the upstream and downstream signal transmission times. This delivers a full velocity profile of the river, rather than spot velocity measurements that are utilised by some alternative methods.

In comparison with traditional methods like mechanical meters, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), or tracer injections, the Transit Time method offers a number of important advantages. It provides continuous measurements; has less environmental impact; is not reliant on tracers, particles or bubbles; is less sensitive to localised turbulence and misalignment; offers highly reproducible total discharge volume measurements, and requires very low levels of maintenance.

Explaining the advantages of their Transit Time monitors, Nivus’s Alistair MacKinnon says: “We can apply this method to a wide range of channel sizes, and for rivers up to 200 metres wide. Deep water can also be accommodated with multiple sensors and signal paths. In addition, some of these signal paths can be redundant to account for fault conditions or obstructions.”

The potential disadvantages of the Transit Time method include unsuitability to high levels of suspended solids or weed, and to water with entrained air bubbles.

The Transit Time method involves very fast measurements (nanoseconds) between sensors, so it is necessary for the internal timing of the transmitter/receivers to be synchronised and extremely accurate. For this reason, the sensors on both banks have traditionally been connected by cross-river cabling, which significantly increases the cost of installation. Typically, this involves civil works and the installation of cross-ducting on the river floor – operations that can necessitate the damming or diversion of river flow. The installation of ducting can negatively impact river ecology, and once in place, ducting can present a hazard to human activities. In addition, the duct and cabling could be at risk during severe weather events.

Wireless Transit Time (WTT).
The Nivus WTT solution retains the accuracy of the Transit Time flow measurement method without the associated costs and disadvantages of the cabled version. The WTT sensors communicate across the river by Wi-Fi and maintain time accuracy by communicating with GPS satellites which employ atomic clocks.

Sustainability has been a key driver in the development of the Nivus WTT solution. The entire system is able to operate on solar power, providing an off-grid solution that can be deployed in any location. In addition, ground screws are used to anchor the bankside equipment, which avoids the need for concrete, and simplifies decommissioning.

Case Study: River Ouse (GB).

Ouse installation

A Nivus WTT system has recently been installed on the River Ouse at Barcombe Mills, close to the Barcombe Reservoir in East Sussex. The new system replaced an older Transit Time monitor that had failed.

The EA and its predecessor, the National Rivers Authority, have been monitoring river flow at the site for over 30 years. The previous system employed a cross-river duct that lay on the riverbed, weighed down by clay chimney pots. Theo Parfitt, from the EA’s regional Hydrometry & Telemetry team, explains the options: “It would be possible to bore a tunnel under the river, but this requires tunnelling to begin at some distance from the river to create the correct angle of bore. However, aside from the high cost, the proximity of the reservoir rendered this option redundant. Similarly, replacement of the cross-river ducting was disregarded because of cost and environmental issues. It was fortuitous therefore that our working partnership with Nivus had developed a beneficial solution.”

The Ouse is approximately 20m wide at Barcombe Mills, and it was estimated that the cost of a Nivus WTT system would be around 25% of the cost of a ducted system.

“The previous system included two sets of sensors in submerged racks on either bank, with 8 signal paths,” Theo explains. “Fortunately, these sensors could be utilised by the new WTT system, which also helped to lower costs.”

The future of WTT flow monitoring.
The EA already operates two WTT systems on North London and Yorkshire. Both of these Nivus installations are mains powered, so Barcombe Mills is the first to be fully solar powered.

Looking forward, Sam Everitt says: “This is a good example of the ways in which the EA can leverage its size and expertise, working with specialist partners, to develop innovative solutions that save money and enhance environmental protection. Given these advantages, we are looking to switch our existing Transit Time monitors to wireless versions as they come up for renewal. The new technology appears to be working very well, and has prompted interest

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@_Enviro_News  @EnvAgency #Nivus #Environmemt #Wireless

Water management - fantastic opportunity.

In this article Nigel Grimsley from OTT HydroMet explains why Big Data in the water sector represents a fantastic opportunity.

Water security can be defined as the availability of a sufficient quantity and quality of water to sustain livelihoods, health, socio-economic development and ecosystems. To achieve this goal, water managers need timely access to reliable, insightful, defensible data, but with the volume and speed of data now available, will existing data infrastructure be able to cope?

Recent developments in sensors, dataloggers and telemetry, have delivered intelligent monitoring systems that are able to operate remotely, running on very low levels of power and delivering reliable data in real-time. This has prompted dramatic growth in the implementation of high-intensity monitoring systems that generate enormous volumes of data. These systems also possess advanced alarm capability; issuing alert messages by SMS, email etc. when pre-set conditions arise.

Water management policies must be sustainable and resilient, so it is vital that both strategic and operational decisions are based on sound data. However, if data are not managed correctly, users may become ‘data-rich but information-poor’, so some of the most important decisions in the organisation of a monitoring programme relate to the ways in which data will be managed.

Working at every stage of the data collection process, OTT HydroMet has developed sensors that can operate remotely for extended periods; loggers that run on very low power but provide enormous data processing capability; telemetry solutions to transmit data from and to anywhere, and software that can assimilate vast quantities of data. The latest software (as a service) packages, such as Hydromet Cloud and AQUARIUS, are able to provide insights and alerts, while also providing easy access to live or historical data.

In combination, the OTT HydroMet solutions, from sensor to screen, enable water managers to meet the needs of disparate stakeholders and enhance water security. 

When it comes to the management of water, Big Data represents a fantastic opportunity.

@OTTHydromet @_Enviro_News #Utility #Automation 

ATEX telemetry for strain gauge.

Fires and explosions endanger lives, cause severe injury and cause significant environmental damage.

Explosive atmospheres created by combustible gases, vapours, mists and dust, must be protected from ignition sources.

Reduce the dangers in hazardous areas by using the new Applied Measurements X24 wireless ATEX & IECEx approved instrumentation to collect measurements from your load cell, pressure sensor or any other strain gauge-based transducer.

X24 Wireless ATEX Approved Transmission in Hazardous Zones 1 & 2

13 Reasons Why You Should Use This ATEX Approved Telemetry:

1. Exceptional Reliable Wireless Signal in Hazardous Environments 2. Accepts Inputs up to 3.2mV/V from a Load Cell or Strain Gauge Bridge Sensor 3. Intrinsically Safe with the Latest CSA Certification 4. Ideal for Petrochemical, Industrial Processing and Oil & Gas Industries 5. Superior Accuracy Thanks to its 9 Point Linearisation 6. Up to 1/2 a Mile Wireless Range! 7. Long Battery Life up to 5 Years 8. OEM Options to Fit Inside Sensors 9. Fast Setup – Software Calibration in Less Than 3 Minutes! 10. FREE Logging Software 11. Expandable Wireless System into Safe Zones With T24 Telemetry Instrumentation 12. Fast Transmission Rates of 200 per Second 13. Multiple Channel Setup for Site-Wide Monitoring

@AppMeas #PAuto #Wireless

Telemetry sensor system for hazardous areas.

An intrinsically safe version of Mantracourt's established T24 wireless telemetry sensor system has been launched.

The new X24 range of products is ATEX and IECEx approved for Zones 1 & 2 and was developed after feedback from existing users of the T24 system, many of whom wanted to extend this versatile system into hazardous areas. In the field, X24 has been found to be particularly suited to the petrochemical and industrial processing industries.

“We are very excited about the new opportunities this product provides for our customer base. In the past we were frequently asked for a wireless solution in explosive environments and our design team have worked diligently to develop the X24 product range in response. We have extensively field-tested these new products in a wide variety of applications and customers have been impressed with how seamlessly the new products could be integrated.” says Jonathan Purdue, Sales Manager at Mantracourt.

Alongside its ATEX / IECEx status, modularity is the key feature. The X24 system comprises 3 products that are certified for use in hazardous areas - the X24-HD handheld display unit, X24-ACMI-SA cased transmitter and X24-SAe OEM transmitter. These new products currently operate with strain bridge inputs and gather and transmit data from force, weight, torque and pressure sensors. Being fully compatible with Mantracourt’s T24 system, the data is transmitted to T24 receivers within the safe zone. This compatibility also means that the X24 system can be retrofitted, so companies can extend its existing T24 wireless network into hazardous areas, reducing installation costs and providing quick setup.

All three units display many of the notable features seen in equivalent products in the T24 system including high resolution/low noise electronics, long battery life of up to 5 years, proprietary license-free 2.4 GHz radio and a system range of up to 800m. However, new X24 products are manufactured with intrinsically safe electronics and are approved for use in explosive atmospheres Zone 1 and Zone 2, with the X24-SAe extending to dust Zones 21 and 22.

The transmitter module, X24-ACMi-SA measures strain bridge input and delivers it to the T24 receivers in the safe zone, or X24-HD in the hazardous area. It is housed in an environmentally sealed IP67 enclosure with battery holder for two Lithium Energiser L91 AA batteries.
The X24-HD is a lightweight, portable design and certified to IP67. With simple and intuitive button control it receives data and displays data from the remote transmitter module such as X24-ACMi-SA as well as any T24 transmitter. The product can display data from any transmitter detected or the operator can define up to 24 specific transmitters. The functionality is complemented by the ability to rename each channel to whatever you require.
The X24-SAe is a product specifically for OEM sensor manufacturers. This transmitter, comprising a PCB board with antenna measures strain bridge input and transmits data to X24 and T24 receivers. The PCB module provides OEMs and those who supply approved strain bridge sensor products with a quick route to manufacture.

Once in the safe zone, users of the system have access to the complete T24 product range. This includes the base stations and T24 Toolkit and visualisation software. The Toolkit can be used to configure both the T24 and X24 systems,
The free data logging and visualisation software allows users to log up to 100 channels and build visual displays. Alarms can be set that can indicate under and over range and can alert users to loss in communication, low battery and error reports. In recognition that we now work in an increasingly mobile world, Mantracourt has also included a built in web server that provides a summary view page to other computers, tablets and smart phones, both Apple and Android.

@mantracourt #PAuto #Ex

Wireless telemetry sensor.

Mantracourt has launched a new, upgraded version of its T24 wireless telemetry sensor system for multiple data acquisition in real time. The new T24 improvements include a 4x increase in transmission range, improved security features and smarter diagnostics.

Listening to the needs of OEMs and integrators who require a system designed to suit the many and varied applications they encounter, modularity is the key feature of the T24 and it can easily replace wired systems, reducing both installation and maintenance costs.

The new system has retained the exceptional features of the original T24 system including high measurement/low noise electronics, long battery life of up to 5 years and proprietary license-free 2.4 GHz DSSS radio technology but the new upgrades make the system even more desirable.

Latest upgrades include an increase in transmission range, allowing the system to transmit data up to 800 m (1/2 mile), far exceeding the range of other systems on the market. For added security, always a concern with wireless systems, Mantracourt has improved the existing toolkit software to enable users to assign security keys to the system and have also improved functionality to allow smarter diagnostics. New features include improved monitoring of the channels and as well as the ability to check radio link quality, execute commands and view and alter parameters.

Engineers at Mantracourt have also redesigned the integrated radio module and antennae to improve signal strength and integrity resulting in improved performance and coverage in the challenging environments where the systems are often used.

The system comprises a range of transmitters, interfaces, displays and output modules that can be simply and easily configured to suit individual applications. The transmitter modules have been designed to collect data from a huge range of industrial sensors including load, pressure, torque, strain, temperature, pulse, potentiometer and 4-20 mA/0-10 V conditioned sensors.

And to further add to the versatility of T24, Mantracourt is also providing free data logging and visualisation software. This allows users to log up to 100 channels and build visual mapping displays. Alarms can be set that can indicate under and over range and can alert users to loss in communication, low battery and error reports. In recognition that we now work in an increasingly mobile world, Mantracourt has also included a built in web server that provides a summary view page to other computers, tablets and smart phones, both Apple and Android.

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Firmware for wireless gateway enhances ease-of-use!

Latest firmware for the Smart Wireless Gateway streamlines the wireless network interface, helping users improve operations and enhance safety

Emerson Process Management has used customer input to design the new firmware version 4.5 for its Smart Wireless Gateways. This new firmware will enable users to see and understand process information quickly, helping to make sound decisions and take needed action.

The new version 4.5 software streamlines the wireless network interface, security setup, and field device configuration. It has a consistent look and feel and simplifies information presentation. Visual feedback and information filtering are built into the software to support fast navigation. NAMUR symbols and organised table views provide-at-a-glance actionable information.

“Across Emerson we have continued to invest in Human Centred Design. Our new 4.5 firmware is a great example of the power of this investment,” said Tom Moser, president of Emerson’s Rosemount business. “The clean design and intuitive interface puts actionable information at our customers’ fingertips.”

Firmware version 4.5 will also give users quick access to field instrument diagnostic data for continuous monitoring of device health and the wireless network.

Telemetry lift link load cell offers flexibility in lifting load monitoring!

The new ET24 telemetry lift link load cell’s contemporary power management means transmission distances in excess of 200 metres are achievable in open-field situations, avoiding the expense and problematic use of cabling.  The telemetry lift link’s batteries will last for more than 600 hours with the batteries in the handheld display lasting up to 40.  There’s no need to worry about finding special batteries either as both the load cell and display use any standard AA alkaline type.  The antenna is internal so there’s no risk of damage during handling or operation, giving the ET24 telemetry an IP65 environmental protection rating.

Wireless Monitoring from Multiple Locations
This telemetry system allows for easy wireless monitoring from multiple locations and by many personnel simultaneously, thanks to its radio station like broadcast that allows as many receivers as you want to pick up that data. The ET24′s superb adaptability also allows the use of multiple load cells in a single application, such as a multi-point lift or multi-crane lifts, enabling instant simultaneous high accuracy readings. By using the T24-HA handheld indicator you can display the sum of the outputs from up to 12 telemetry lift link load cells and scroll through the readings from each individual lift link if required.

More Channels of Measurement
Here’s an example of a multi-point monitoring system:

• T24-HA Handheld Display – Provides a local, portable readout of live load (possible users: Site Foreman, Project Engineers, Lead Engineers).
• T24-SO Module & SERIALDIS Display – Provides a large LED display of the live reading to provide in-cab monitoring for a crane operator.
• T24-RM1 Relay Module – Has 2x 240V/5A relays which can be used to trigger a safety cut-out in case an overload situation occurs.
• T24-BSue Base Station and T24Log24 Software – Provides live monitoring and logging capability, allowing load data to be collected throughout the entire lifting procedure for future review and analysis.

The T24-SO serial output module, T24-RM1 relay moduleand T24-PR1 printer can work with up to 8 telemetry lift link load cells simultaneously, adding their outputs.  If you need more channels of measurement, then it’s time to move over to the T24Log24 software, a purely PC-based monitoring system.  The T24Log24 software will display and log data from up to 24 measuring channels simultaneously, giving you a complete system overview with the ability to zero individual channels with a single click if required.

Superb Accuracy
The ET24 telemetry lift link’s superb accuracy of ±0.3% of the reading is unbeaten in its price range, making the ET24 not only a high accuracy telemetry lift link load cell, but a fantastically affordable one too.

Compact wireless gateway to increase asset & production monitoring in remote operations

Eliminating manual readings in remote locations, and delivers real-time information to help operators make better production and maintenance decisions

With the introduction of the Smart Wireless Gateway 1410, Emerson is making it easier for process industry customers with remote operations to set up and run wireless networks. Remote operations such as oil and gas wellheads often have challenges with difficult installations, high costs and insufficient field personnel to keep pace with aggressive schedules. As a result, they are constantly one step behind – juggling equipment, crews, schedules and data, with limited insight into what is really needed where.

The Smart Wireless Gateway 1410 is a simple, cost-effective remote monitoring solution that helps integrate the critical insights into the production data while significantly reducing the need to send personnel to the field. The Smart Wireless Gateway connects WirelessHART® self-organising networks with host systems and data applications. Because the Smart Wireless Gateway manages the network automatically, there is no need to configure communication paths. This means that additional data points can easily be added to remote operations. The added insight provided with a wireless network using this gateway can also help reduce environmental and safety issues, such as tank overfills and wellhead integrity.

The Smart Wireless Gateway 1410 was specifically designed to meet the needs of smaller networks (up to 25 devices) required for remote applications, without giving up the security and flexibility inherent with the existing higher volume Smart Wireless Gateway 1420. The smaller size and DIN Rail mount capability means the Smart Wireless Gateway 1410 is ideal for the limited cabinet space requirements of most remote operations. Built-in layered security functionality ensures that the network stays protected at all times. Additional devices can be added quickly and easily without the need to configure the communication paths. The Smart Wireless Gateway 1410 manages the network automatically and delivers greater than 99.9% data reliability.

Wireless water in Guernsey

The Island of Guernsey goes wireless for water management with ProSoft Technology’s RadioLinx

The island of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency, located in the English Channel, about 30 miles from the north coast of France and 70 miles from the south coast of England. Guernsey Water has deployed a communication network to integrate 40 facilities into a single network. These range from pumping stations and water treatment works to land and office buildings. The ProSoft Technology solution, based on IEEE 802.11n standard, proved to be a reliable, easy to integrate and cost-effective solution.

St Saviours WTW

Generally speaking, wireless networks offer many advantages for a wide range of applications. In this case, the main benefit was to ease the interconnection of remote sites. This is the type of challenging project faced by Guernsey Water, the company responsible for delivering high-quality drinking water for Islanders. In addition, Guernsey Water aims to provide a high level of customer service - therefore an efficient communication network is a key requirement. Remote sites used to be connected through the telephone network to the infrastructure. For a new site, no line was available. Instead of adding a new cabled line, the radio option was considered; two RadioLinx radios were installed on this pilot site for tests and evaluation by Boulting Group. One year later, valuing the positive feedback from engineering, installation and operation teams and having a need for revamping its SCADA network, Guernsey Water decided to deploy a wide network to cover the whole Island.

The benefits of wireless became evident very shortly, since installing a pair of radios is much faster than a new phone line, which requires additional engineering work, e.g. trenches, etc. This is very important for an application in such a location (an island) where being self-sufficient is essential for survival and avoids high expenses!

In addition, the wireless links have revealed high reliability, no communication losses, and higher bandwith despite the weather conditions on the Island. The technology has allowed more efficient remote control over the remote site. The solution provided by ProSoft Technology showed a list of benefits in terms of profitability too: the cost of the pair of radios falls within the range of the fixed phone line rental fee for 1 year – and both the better quality and higher speed of the communication network allow a better quality of service to the user.

The best option for high-capacity wireless networks
All of this was feasible thanks to the ProSoft Technology’s RadioLinx 802.11n industrial radios. These high-technology products provide world-class performance for high-capacity networks, including those in interference-prone locations – typically indoor applications – as they can operate with MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology antennas. The coexistence of multiple networks is guaranteed by means of a combination of 2.4 + 5 GHz bands that offers 3 + 19 non-overlapping channels. They also feature a very high signal sensitivity and range, and come as a single-radio or dual-radio Industrial Hotspot, or single-radio Industrial Client.

In the Guernsey project in particular, 19 Industrial Hotspots have been installed; 2 units for the pilot project plus 17 units (mixing single and dual radios) for the second phase. Some key industrial features of these products are their hazardous location certifications (UL1604 Class I Div 2, ATEX Zone 2 Cat 3), their extended operating temperature range, high vibration and shock resistance, DIN-rail mounting, PoE (Power over Ethernet) and simultaneous client or master/repeater Industrial Hotspot mode. All ProSoft technology products come with a three year warranty and unlimited technical support for the life of the product,

RadioLinx industrial radios are easy to configure and monitor with the RadioLinx Wireless N Discovery Tool. This software tool allows the possibility to view the network topology, assigning IP addresses to radios for configuration, as well as monitoring network diagnostics, updating radio firmware and detecting any 802.11 radios on the network.. Automatic or manual network configuration is user selectable (it can be prioritized or fixed) with self-healing functionality and master redundancy for reliable large networks.

Boulting Group was involved in this project as system integrator. They are renowned for supplying cutting-edge engineering solutions in mechanical and electrical systems and services across a broad range of industries around the world from a single aspect of a project to a full turn-key solution.

“Technology was new for both Boulting Group and for Guernsey Water,” recalls Jonathan Green, Automation Manager at Boulting Integrated Systems “but installation was a success. Not only has it been possible to create a link in a short time, but this link is more reliable and better-performing than previous communication solutions.”

“Implementing the pilot went very smoothly,” adds Dave Amps, Automation Sales Manager at Routeco, distributing both ProSoft Technology and Rockwell Automation in Britain.

“Backed-up with support from ProSoft Technology’s experts, Boulting was provided with the needed support from study, to on-field validation and to operation. At Routeco, we knew that we could rely on the high quality of the products and on the support we get from ProSoft Technology, a company we have been cooperating for more than 20 years.”

Advanced Monitoring System

P.J. Boner & Company supply, install and calibrate an advanced Wireless Monitoring System from Tektroniks, A typical system comprises of a base station, wireless sensors and if necessary wireless repeaters (range extenders). The wireless sensors sample the monitored factor and send it wirelessly to the base station. If the wireless sensor is not in range of the base station, an optional wireless repeater can be used to forward the message.

The Base Station receives the wireless data and reviews it against set parameters as defined by the customer. If the data falls outside the defined parameters the Base Station activates an alarm notification. All data and alarm notifications are stored to its on-board memory for review at a later date.

The Base Station is a totally stand-alone monitoring system that can be networked via a standard network connection or broadband modem. Networked Base Stations have the ability to email alarm notifications and daily reports. Data can be accessed, viewed and graphed using any standard internet browser.

The systems do not require a dedicated PC or expensive computer software.
The DATAcentre can receive data from up to a maximum of 120 Tektroniks Wireless Sensors, a vast array of environmental factors can be easily monitored.

Wireless telemetry Modbus gateway

Modbus Gateway provides a simple interface for engineers to gather data from wireless instrumentation

Chocolate Line!

Instrumentation specialists Mantracourt have announced the launch of their T24-GW1 Modbus Gateway as a further addition to their acclaimed T24 wireless instrumentation range. The T24-GW1 is a gateway that provides a simple interface for users to gather data from up to 100 acquisition modules in a T24 network, using either the standard Modbus interface RTU protocol or a simple ASCII protocol.

The T24-GW1 is already being used for process control applications in areas such as confectionary manufacturing but is also suitable for a variety of other applications including industrial processing, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and automotive.

“In many ways, this is a significant addition to our T24 wireless instrumentation range,” said Kelly Voysey, Sales and Marketing Manager at Mantracourt. “The GW1 is enabling engineers to gain the many benefits of wireless instrumentation, whilst being able to interface with existing and new process control systems. The GW1 is already proving very successful in the field.”

"Basically the GW1 is a data translator," said Jonathan Purdue, Technical Sales Engineer at Mantracourt. "The GW1 takes the information from T24 modules and displays the raw number in predefined locations in its registry. Then a Modbus PLC, or Industrial PC, can be programmed to show which locations relate to which module. The PLC can request that information or the GW1 can push the information out to the PLC using ASCII protocol."

The Mantracourt T24 wireless telemetry range is a flexible low power radio system designed to enable the transmission of high accuracy measurement data from load cells, inclinometers, accelerometers, temperature, displacement and pressure sensors. With a combination of transmitter and receiver technologies, engineers are able to remotely monitor instrumentation readings.

Wireless telemetry system

New generation relay module for T24 wireless telemetry system

LCM Systems has launched the latest addition to the T24 wireless telemetry system for multiple data acquisition in real time. The T24-RM1 is a new generation of relay module that offers 2 power relays each of which can be assigned a set point and triggered from either one T24 acquisition module or a summed group of up to 8 units.

The T24-RM1 dual 240Vac 5A relay modules are capable of mains power switching and have been designed as limit or window alarms for the T24 acquisition units. The relays can be latched and a digital input or external command can be used to reset them. An alarm signal relay is operated if communications is lost or other selectable errors occur. This alarm output can be silenced by a contact free digital input or external command.

The T24 system has been built using a worldwide, licence free 2.4GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communication protocol that guarantees high integrity, error free digital data transmission. This can also co-exist with other commonly used protocols such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ETSI. The modules have internal antennas that deliver a wireless range of up to 200m (650ft) are supplied as standard in IP65 sealed ABS cases, with a DIN rail option available, if required.

With wireless configuration and calibration, T24-RM1 is easy to set up via a PC and the user-friendly Windows package T24 toolkit software. LCM Systems can offer a fully integrated system solution comprising of load cells and wireless telemetry products, packaged into a fully functional bespoke solution to meet customers’ specific

Extended wireless coverage

New active repeater for T24 wireless telemetr system extends range and coverage

LCM Systems has launched the latest addition to the T24 wireless telemetry system for multiple data acquisition in real time. The T24-AR is a wireless active repeater designed to increase the range and overall coverage of the system, the major benefit being its ability to enable T24 modules to transmit around obstructions.

The T24 itself is a versatile set of products, based around proprietary acquisition devices that can be mixed and matched to provide high quality remote readings for critical applications. The acquisition modules can provide data to multiple output devices and the new T24-AR can effectively double the radio range as the messages are repeated once. Without the use of the repeater, the T24 has a range of up to 200m (650ft) and although the use of multiple repeaters will not increase the range beyond 400m (1300ft), the area of coverage can be extended by combining multiple acquisition modules in strategic positions. The T24-AR acts as a transparent link between these modules and the base station or handheld display.

A number of acquisition modules are available. For strain gauges, there is a five-wire measurement device - the T24-SA, while the T24-VA voltage acquisition accepts 0-10V, and the T24-IA accepts 0-20mA, suitable for a wide range of sensors with a 4-20mA output. This means that a wide range of sensors can be wirelessly monitored including load cells, inclinometers, accelerometers, displacement LVDT, pressure, temperature, humidity, pH and shock.

The Repeater is powered either by alkaline ‘D’ cells or an external power supply and is rated to IP65 and NEMA4 protected. As with all modules in the T24 system, the T24-AR is easy to configure via a PC and the user-friendly Windows package T24 toolkit software.

LCM Systems can offer a fully integrated system solution comprising of load cells and wireless telemetry products, packaged into a fully functional bespoke solution to meet customers’ specific requirements.