A range of heavy duty electrical protection units designed
to overcome inherent earth leakage or inrush currents

Heavy duty electrical protection is a speciality of FDB Electrical who have recently announced their IP65 rated FDB 19 series for applications throughout industry from construction sites, mines and quarries, to the protection of stage lighting systems where thyristor spikes can trip conventional RCD's.

FDB 19 series is a range of heavy duty electrical protection units designed to overcome inherent earth leakage or inrush currents. The units combine a variable sensitivity and time delay RCD, together with a 3 pole MCCB or On Load Switch + solid Neutral (minimum 15KA) to provide overcurrent and short circuit protection (4 pole option available).

A standard feature of the FDB 19 is its non-fail safe operation, ideal for primary breaker installations or those that are unmanned or prone to supply interruption. A fail-safe version requiring reset of MCCB on restoration of a supply interruption is also available. Specifications of the series cover 380/440V with tripping levels adjustable from 10mA to 640mA and 100mA to 6.4A as standard (1-64A also available). An Earth Fault Ammeter can also be fitted to front of enclosure to indicate levels of Earth Leakage. Load current ratings available cover 15A to 400A. The complete assembly is housed in a lockable IP65 Sheet metal or IP54 GRP enclosure to ensure resistance to rough treatment and environmental factors, often encountered in problem installations.

For further information, e-mail: gary.miles@fdb.uk.com or view website: www.fdb.uk.com

Ratio pyrometer sets new benchmark in low cost
measurement of difficult high temperature applications

Micro-Epsilon has expanded its range of non-contact infrared temperature sensors to include a new compact infrared ratio temperature sensor (ratio pyrometer).

The new thermoMETER CT ratio pyrometer is ideal for OEMs that need to measure the temperature of metals, metal oxides, ceramic or semiconductor materials in harsh, high temperature environments, including metal casting, welding, forming and sintering.

The thermoMETER CT ratio is a fibre optics ratio pyrometer that measures temperatures from 700°C up to 1,800°C. The sensor functions according to the ratio principle and is therefore insensitive to contaminants such as dust, smoke or steam that may partially obstruct the target. Even in cases where the infrared radiation beam is weakened to 95 per cent of its original intensity due to smoke or steam, the ratio pyrometer still provides faultless measurements.

The compactness and attractive price-performance ratio of the pyrometer set new standards for use in OEM applications and where application flexibility is required. Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon (UK) Ltd comments: "The CT ratio is another market leading product from Micro-Epsilon. Technically, the product meets and exceeds the performance of all ratio pyrometers in the marketplace today, with the flexibility of multiple output options and output signal flexibility, from simple analogue to digital and fieldbus interfaces. The low price level for the system is significantly below the price level of other ratio pyrometers and enables users to solve applications with this technology that previously were cost-prohibitive."

The fibre optics ratio pyrometer operates on the two-channel measurement principle. Two integrated infrared detection channels with relatively close spacing, but with mutually different measuring wavelengths, produce two independent electrical signals. These signals depend on the infrared radiation emitted from the target and signal components, which are influenced by the optical transmission path between the object and the pyrometer, or from changes of the object if for example, it is moving or changes its size.

By taking the ratio of the two signals, the ratio pyrometer principle eliminates (or averages out) any signal parts that are similar in both channels. The measured temperature of the object therefore only depends on the signal ratio and the emissivity ratio, or 'slope value'.

When it comes to measuring the temperature of objects with unknown or changing emissivity, the ratio thermometer principle provides extremely accurate results, assuming that the emissivity ratio is not changing over time or temperature.

The compact sensor head of the ratio pyrometer has a diameter of just 25mm and a length of 70mm, enabling it to be mounted into tight, restricted spaces in production lines and machines. A fibre optic cable connects the optical sensor head to the electronics. The optics and the cable can be used in ambient temperatures of up to 250°C without the need for additional cooling. By using a fibre optic cable, the device is insensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI) normally found in induction-based heat treatment processes.

Rapid temperature measurements with response times of 5ms can be achieved. An optical resolution of 80:1 with a selectable focus, in combination with built-in laser aiming, enables accurate measurements from a spot size of 1.3mm.

In order to adapt the sensor to different measurement tasks, the pyrometer offers a choice of a one- or two-channel (ratio pyrometer mode) device, which enables the user to select the most appropriate one without having to purchase additional infrared sensors.

Typical applications for the ratio pyrometer include the temperature control of inductive heating coils, temperature measurement of the pouring stream on casting machines; during the reheating of steel ingots and steel billets in forging processes; in general soldering and welding processes; and in process steps in semiconductor production and in photovoltaics.

The electronics enable the programming of the sensor, display of temperature measurements and easy wiring of the analogue outputs 0/4-20mA and 0-5/10V for the transmission of signals into industrial control cabinets. To facilitate network integration, Micro-Epsilon offers an optional integrated Profibus DP interface or other plug-in digital interfaces including USB, RS232, RS485 or Ethernet. Programmable signal processing ensures complete flexibility for different production processes.

Micro-Epsilon also offers its user-friendly software that provides graphical interface and display, the logging of temperature readings of all output channels and signal characteristics over time. The user can also configure parameters and set up alarms such as 'dirty lens' alarms.

The standard focus of the lens is 60mm. However, an additional, variable focus lens can be provided, which enables the user to set the focal point of the lens between 65mm and 300mm.

For further information on Micro-Epsilon's expanded its range of non-contact infrared temperature sensors, email: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk   Refer to page 159   

Data logger selection guide now available from Dickson

Finding best-match technology for monitoring temperature, humidity, pressure, or electronic signal events can now use the online step-by-step resource guide available from Dickson Company, which offers the widest selection of data loggers and chart recorders for these monitoring purposes. The Dickson Data Logger Selection Guide can be accessed at: http://www.dicksondata.com/article/article_61.php .

Multiple selection factors are provided including instrument displays, remote probe availability, alarm options, wireless/Ethernet/battery-operated or outlet-powered, operating ranges and cost.  Users are able to drill down and mix and match various features until they identify the range of instruments that match their specifications.

Chris Sorensen, Dickson VP Sales and Marketing, comments, "We know that the data logger or chart recorder that is the best fit for one user's application may not work well for another, and we maintain the world's widest selection of top-quality instruments to ensure you'll never have to make do with a less than optimal instrument match to your application."

In addition, product inquiries can be directed to Dickson customer service, e-maiI: dicksoncsr@dicksondata.com or calling 800 - 757 - 3747 or +1-630-543-3747 outside the US, FAX +630 - 543 - 0498 or by writing Dickson, 930 South Westwood Avenue, Addison, IL 60101, USA.

Dickson Company and its web portal: www.dicksondata.com offer the world's widest selection of data loggers and chart recorders to monitor temperature, humidity, pressure, or electronic signals.  Refer to page 125

A practical guide to machinery safety

Available free to download is the newly re-written A practical guide to machinery safety sponsored by Laidler Associates, one of the UK's leading safety and compliance consultants and Safety Systems Technology, the independent electrical safety system product supplier and provider of remedial services and project management. The guide can be downloaded from: www.laidler.co.uk.

The easy to read guide covers legislation including the EMC and Low Voltage Directives, the ATEX Directive and the very latest information on the new Machinery Directive. It also covers risk assessment and hazard analysis; includes step-by-step advice on CE marking and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).

Commenting on the new guide Paul Laidler, of Laidler Associates said, "The guide is written to benefit both machine builders and end users. Both sides need a good understanding of the legislation and processes surrounding machinery safety and this guide will help bridge the gap in understanding between the two."

As well as featuring information about what to look for in a pre-purchase audit and a section on different types of electrical safety products the guide also features forms, charts and checklists that can be used to conduct a machinery safety inspection. An EN (ISO) 954-1 chart appears alongside an EN (ISO) 13849-1 equivalent as well as an EN (ISO) 14121-1 check list and CE and PUWER check lists.

Free to download and available to request as a hard copy via www.laidler.co.uk A practical guide to machinery safety provides suggestions and guidance for the best route to compliance.  Refer to page 163