Increasing Generator Set Starting Reliability

Genset monitoring application is ideal for use
of the A16000 Expansion Module

Standby electric generators, often powered by gas or diesel fuel, are critical to maintaining operations in the face of electric power outages. Generator sets for industrial or commercial use are often provided with onboard controls to automatically start the unit, activate a transfer switch, and take the unit back off-line when grid power is restored.

A generator set is a risk mitigation asset, intended to prevent loss of operations when certain adverse conditions occur. Power failures are generally infrequent, so the equipment remains idle most of the time. Automatic controls can test run the unit periodically, but continuous monitoring of a few points on the equipment can provide information that increases the assurance that the unit will start when commanded. Delivering the data to an operations center for monitoring and storage for analysis provides a supervisor a snapshot of unit readiness in real time, anytime.

Some items to monitor that can increase your assessment of startup reliability:

• Fuel Level - Clearly, knowing the current fuel level is useful. Being able to read the engine fuel level from your operations center saves technician time and provides a continuous means of estimating available generator runtime.
• Engine Block Heater - Measure the current flowing to the engine block heater to make sure the heater is functioning properly. 
• Battery - A voltage reading provides indication of battery health.
• Ambient Temperature - While not essential, logging temperature along with the other items can provide some useful data that may reveal some correlations.
• Generator Controller Fault Indicators - If the generator control system provides any outputs that will indicate detection of a fault, monitoring their status at the facilities office brings the data to where it can be acted upon immediately.

There may be other aspects of a generator set that can be monitored during standby to increase the assurance of a startup on command. A careful assessment of each system in place will reveal the possibilities.

Analynk manufactures all the transmitters and sensors necessary to deliver the data points needed. With many generators located remotely from the point where the data should be delivered, Analynk's wireless communications products can be employed to deliver all the data from the generator to the facilities or operations center without having to install any cabling between the locations.

Reach out to Analynk with your performance or process monitoring and data delivery challenges. Combing your process and facilities knowledge with their product application expertise will produce effective solutions. 

RTD or Thermocouple for Your Temperature Measurement Application?

Wireless transmission of temperature signals can be
easily accomplished with Analynk transmitters and receivers

Proper temperature sensor selection is key to getting useful and accurate data for maintaining control of a process. There are two main types of temperature sensors employed for industrial applications, thermocouple and resistance temperature detector (RTD). Each has its own set of features that might make it an advantageous choice for a particular application.

Thermocouples consist of a junction formed with dissimilar conductors. The contact point of the conductors generates a small voltage that is related to the temperature of the junction. There are a number of metals used for the conductors, with different combinations used to produce an array of temperature ranges and accuracy. A defining characteristic of thermocouples is the need to use extension wire of the same type as the junction wires, in order to assure proper function and accuracy.

Here are some generalized thermocouple characteristics.

• Various conductor combinations can provide a wide range of operable temperatures (-200°C to +2300°C).
• Sensor accuracy can deteriorate over time.
• Sensors are comparatively less expensive than RTD.
• Stability of sensor output is not as good as RTD.
• Sensor response is fast due to low mass.
• Assemblies are generally rugged and not prone to damage from vibration and moderate mechanical shock.
• Sensor tip is the measuring point.
• Reference junction is required for correct measurement.
• No external power is required.
• Matching extension wire is needed.
• Sensor design allows for small diameter assemblies.

RTD sensors are comprised of very fine wire from a range of specialty types, coiled within a protective probe. Temperature measurement is accomplished by measuring the resistance in the coil. The resistance will correspond to a known temperature. Some generalized RTD attributes:

• Sensor provides good measurement accuracy, superior to thermocouple.
• Operating temperature range (-200° to +850°C) is less than that of thermocouple.
• Sensor exhibits long term stability.
• Response to process change can be slow.
• Excitation current source is required for operation.
• Copper extension wire can be used to connect sensor to instruments.
• Sensors can exhibit a degree of self-heating error.
• Resistance coil makes assemblies less rugged than thermocouples.
• Cost is comparatively higher

Sensors are often part of a transmitter assembly that provides an output signal suitable for connection to controllers or monitoring instrumentation. Challenges of distance can be easily overcome using Analynk's wireless process control connection products. Whether the distance is meters or miles, Analynk has a solution that is effective and simple to apply.

Each industrial process control application will present its own set of challenges regarding vibration, temperature range, required response time, accuracy, and more. Share your process temperature measurement requirements and challenges with a process control instrumentation specialist, combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop the most effective solution.

Specialty Valve for Transmitter Isolation

Transmitter Isolation Valve
Courtesy PBM Valve Solutions

Fluid process control applications frequently employ tanks and vessels as part of the processing chain or for storage and holding. Level transmitters can be installed on the tank to provide indication of liquid level. While there are numerous combinations of fittings and valves that could be used to mount and connect the transmitter to the tank, one manufacturer, PBM Valve Solutions, has designed a specialized valve intended to mate a transmitter to a tank fitting with great advantage.

The specialized transmitter isolation valve minimizes dead space to prevent media residue buildup. It can be configured to accommodate CIP and drainage without process interruption. Calibration ports and industry standard mountings allow for broad application throughout the fluid process control industries.

Establishing a connection between the transmitter and its associated monitoring or control equipment is a specialty of Analynk Wireless. Analynk provides end to end solutions for delivering transmitter signals using wireless communications that can span across the room or around the globe. Reach out to Analynk for effective and easy to implement wireless solutions.

Analynk's Telmar Brand of Process Control Products

Telmar enclosed 2-wire transmitter

Analynk Wireless, in addition to wireless process signal transmitters, receivers, and repeaters, manufactures a broad line of industrial process control products under the Telmar brand.

• 2-Wire Transmitters with AC, DC, mA, slidewire, RTD, or tachometer inputs. General purpose enclosure is standard, with options for others to meet any rated environment.
• 4-Wire Transmitters with dozens of combinations of input and output signals. Alarm outputs available as option.
•  Signal Alarms that accommodate inputs from thermocouple, DC current, DC voltage, RTD, AC voltage, AC current, tachometer, slidewire, or strain gauge.
• Pneumatic Transmitters for pressure to current, current to pressure, pressure to voltage, and voltage to pressure applications.
• Tachometer Transmitters
• Explosion Proof Transmitters with or without local indicator for thermocouple or RTD input.



RTD transmitter with explosion proof enclosure and display

• Indicators and Meters with general purpose or explosion proof enclosures in loop powered or external powered versions.
• Sensor Assemblies for general, corrosive, or explosion proof applications. Thermocouple or RTD.

The Telmar brand provides complementary products for wired process control applications, or can be supplemented by Analynk's wireless products to provide wireless connectivity between point of measurement and point of control.

Reach out to Analynk with your process control challenges, combining your process knowledge with their product expertise to develop effective solutions.

Battery Powered Transmitter for Industrial Wireless Communication

Battery powered wireless process signal transmitter
in explosion proof enclosure

Industrial settings can present difficult or unique challenges to automation and control designers. Each new challenge seems to be met with a new, improved, or adapted product which fulfills the requirements.

Analynk's standard array of wireless transmitters operate on 24 Vdc. For installations without any appropriate power source, three models are configured to operate on power provided by batteries. The A753-BT transmitters operate on battery power, utilizing a real time clock to schedule transmission intervals appropriate for the application. The transmitter also provides an excitation voltage for external devices. Your sensor's 4-20 mA output provides input to the Analynk transmitter, along with two discrete switches. The transmitter communicates with all of Analynk's receivers.

The unit pictured is configured for use in a hazardous area, with explosion proof enclosure. Other models are suitable for DIN rail mounting in an enclosure of your selection, or provided preconfigured in a NEMA 4 enclosure.

Share your wireless process control connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk.

Battery powered wireless process signal transmitter with explosion proof enclosure from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Explosion Proof Antennas For Wireless Communications in Hazardous Industrial Settings

CTX Series Explosion Proof Antenna
Analynk

Wireless connections between process measuring and control devices brings several benefits to an industrial operation. The signal cable free installation saves valuable time and space, reduces damage exposure, and simplifies process equipment layout modifications.

Implementing wireless communications in hazardous areas, whether through WiFi or other radio frequency channels, poses a unique set of challenges to successful implementation. Points of network access and other transmission and receiving equipment will require a level of isolation and hardening appropriate for the hazardous industrial environment. Specialized explosion proof enclosures can house the needed equipment, but antennas must extend outside these metal enclosures and into the hazardous environment in order to transmit and receive process signals. This imposes rigorous requirements on antenna design and construction.

Analynk Wireless manufactures patented UL listed hazardous area explosion proof antennas for industrial installations.  Their CTX and CTM series antennas carry an array of third party approvals and are suitable for use in a broad range of hazardous environments. Models can accommodate WiFi and other RF communications across frequency bands commonly utilized in industrial settings, as well as cellular and satellite communications.

Data sheets for the CTX and CTM Series antennas are included below for more detail. Share your wireless communication challenges and application questions with the experts at Analynk and work together to produce the best solutions.

Industrial RF Antennas for Hazardous Areas from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Analynk Further Expands Line of Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosures

New AP608 Explosion Proof Access Point Enclosure
For Meru AP-1020e

Analynk Wireless has added three new entries to their line of wireless access point enclosures for use in hazardous areas. Each enclosure is shipped ready for installation of your access point device, with hazardous area antennas, antenna cables, and custom access point mounting bracket included.

Analynk access point enclosures are preconfigured to house a specific manufacturer and model number access point. Review the entire product offering and see the long list of accommodated access points. If you want to use an access point not shown on the list, contact  Analynk for a solution.

The new models and their matching access point.

• AP608 for the Meru AP-1020e Access Point
• AP610 for the Aruba AP-204 and IAP-204 Access Point
• AP616 for the Aruba AP-228 Access Point

The hyperlinks above will open data sheets for the respective units.

Analynk manufactures a diverse array of equipment utilized in establishing wireless connections between industrial process control devices. Share your wireless connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk and get effective solutions.