FDB's EMGUARD earth line continuity
monitor. Even for intrinsically safe systems!

FDB Electrical have once again addressed one of the major issues in electrical safety - that of earth continuity - with their EMGUARD series. This is a low priced series of very compact earth continuity monitors having a wide range of earth continuity impedance settings, but so designed that it is possible to set beyond the parameters specified by BS4444. The ultra-low power circulating in the pilot earth/loop (0.06W) means that it can be readily incorporated into intrinsically safe systems.

A major advantage of the EMGUARD is its high immunity against AC induced voltage in the earth conductor (even where relatively tight limits are required on earth continuity impedance increase) so making it possible to accurately monitor long cable runs (in excess of 1km) without nuisance tripping.

The EMGUARD system features an extra conductor (pilot is utilised and this is connected via an end of line terminator to the framework of the machine at a different point to that of the earth conductor). A circulating current is passed round the pilot/earth loop which, when interrupted due to impedance increase, short circuit or open circuit (loss of earth) causes the opening of the supply to the machine.

Specifications include 110V, 240V or 440V 30-120Hz with an adjustable impedance range of 1 to 20 ohms. Response times on impedance increase are ±3 seconds and short circuit or open circuit ±1 second.

As well as precise impedance increase detection, the EMGUARD will also detect a short circuit between pilot and earth or open circuit of the earth conductor. The EMGUARD is fail-safe in operation, i.e. will trip on loss of energising supply and features auto reset (when system correct), remote test facility and LED status indication.

The EMGUARD can be connected to any existing "active" end of line terminator (diode or zener diode) and can be supplied complete with this type of terminator. Also available is a unique passive resistor type end of line device which will give much higher levels of stability, especially where temperature variation can take place at the remote apparatus.

For further information on FDB Electrical products and services view website: www.fdb.uk.com  Refer to page 201

Flexible precision toolholder for tool grinding

Schunk's exciting Prismo tool grinding toolholder, with its variable clamping diameter, a threefold prism guidance,  inter-meshed chuck jaws, and all-purpose mounting, achieves high repeat accuracies of less than 0.005mm. This enables the innovative new Prismo to almost completely avoid tube unbalance, delivering ideal pre-conditions for automated manufacturing of small batch sizes.
 
A threefold prism clamping provides the basis for the toolholder to clamp shaft diameters from 5 to 20mm with remarkable precision. Each of the five chuck jaws is guided by an eroded double prism. A third prism is eroded on the clamping face and this directly contacts the tool shank. This ensures the toolholder always adjusts itself to the individual tool diameters. This is an important difference when compared to conventional solutions, where the clamping face is just circular ground. Even deep hole drills and tools with a twist, can be machined precisely with the Prismo.

Schunk's exciting new Prismo tool grinding toolholder achieves high repeat accuracies of less than 0.005mm.

During the clamping operation, the five hard and coated chuck jaws intermesh. The basic sleeve and the robust design provide a high level of stiffness and rigidity to the toolholder. Moreover, the stable guidances reduce a 'swing-out' of the grinding wheels. At an overhang length of 2.5 x D and a tool diameter of 20mm, the Prismo provides a repeat accuracy of less than 0.005mm. In order to avoid pollution and to offer permanently high precision, the Prismo is rinsed during the grinding operation with clean oil.
 
Regardless of the diameter to be machined, the X-axis of the grinding toolholder remains unchanged. All the chuck jaws maintain an identical axial position, so time-consuming additional programming and the danger of a crash due to incorrect axis offsets are eliminated.

Compatibility is assured as every machine interface is feasible. The Prismo mechanical prism toolholder meets all the requirements for very precise and economical tool grinding on the machines of many well-known manufacturers. It is considered to be flexible and effective with many machine manufacturers and OEMs specifying the system.

Conventional collet chucks and high-quality toolholders that cover a large clamping range are used for automated grinding, these systems lose their run-out accuracy after a certain time as the risk of tube imbalance occurs. The new Prismo toolholder generation from Schunk assures flexibility and the highest level of precision. Therefore long set-up times, regular quality controls, complicated re-grinding of jaws and spare part procurement are no longer necessary. Discover with Prismo, the new standard in automated tool grinding.

For further information, view website: ca.schunk.com  Refer to page 200

New Installation Tester speeds up testing of domestic, commercial and industrial fixed wiring installations

The new SureTest® installation tester from IDEAL INDUSTRIES NETWORKS DIVISION is easy to use, very compact and ergonomically designed. Through clever use of new, lighter components and materials, as well as fewer (four) batteries, the device weighs just 675g, around 50 per cent lighter than most competing testers on the market - a genuine advantage if an electrician is testing for long periods.

In order to deal with new technology developments and stricter legislation, electrical contractors have had to acquire increased knowledge and skills. New technologies such as renewable energy generation, combined heat and power  (CHP) systems, small scale embedded generators and solar photovoltaic power supply systems require additional regulations. Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are increasingly being utilised in wiring installations, which means electricians require accurate, rapid non-trip loop testing devices.
 
SureTest® complies with BS7671: 2008 (17th Edition) IEE Wiring Regulations and is EN61557 compliant. In a matter of seconds, the device can take accurate loop impedance measurements that won't trip RCDs. The device is able to measure frequency and phase rotation in three-phase installations and includes a calibration certificate.
 
Peter Halloway, Channel Manager at IDEAL INDUSTRIES NETWORKS DIVISION comments: "Most electricians, particularly sole traders and the self-employed, don't have enormous purchasing budgets and so ideally they want to buy one installation tester that provides all the functionality in one device, including non-trip loop testing and phase sequencing to comply with the latest 17th Edition wiring regulations. SureTest® gives them all this functionality in an easy-to-use, affordable package."
 
An Auto-RCD feature helps save time on the job, eliminating the need for an electrician to go back and forth to the distribution board. The device also calculates and displays both Prospective Short Circuit Current (PSCC) and Prospective Earth Fault Current (PEFC), providing fast, error-free reporting.
 
A separate Ramp Test enables the user to quickly identify RCDs that are prone to nuisance tripping. The tester ramps up the applied current until the RCD trips and then displays the reading on screen. When testing continuity, a smart 'null' feature zeros out any test lead resistance, reducing measurement errors.
 
Insulation test voltages of 250, 500 and 1,000V are provided, as well as a remote test probe that helps electricians perform tests in awkward, hard-to-reach locations. SureTest® has a simple, uncluttered front panel and menu structure, making it easy to use. The device also benefits from an ultra-lightweight, rugged OLED display (similar to the latest mobile phones).
 
"SureTest® is able to perform non-trip loop testing and is one of the fastest devices currently available," adds Peter Halloway.
 
The SureTest® kit comes with a complete set of detachable test leads, a switched remote test probe, crocodile clips, traceable calibration certificates, hard copy user guide, and a padded carrying case that stores the tester and all its accessories safely inside. SureTest® comes with a two-year warranty, upgraded to three years if the user registers online.
 
For further information, visit the "What's New" section: website: www.idealindustries.co.uk or e-mail: uksales@idealnwd.com

Fulfilling customer needs!

DACO Solutions, the UK based manufacturer of finishing machinery for the converting industry, has a clear machine development philosophy: keep it simple and adhere exactly to the customer´s specified needs. Employing this direct approach enables DACO to provide cost-effective and very easy-to-use solutions, essential components of which are the MEROBEL range of web tension control equipment. From the simplest to most advanced machine MEROBEL products are integral to the machines success.

Daco Solutions are a leading UK manufacturer of innovative slitter rewinder machinery, inspection rewinders, rotary die cutters and converting equipment to the narrow web, label printing and converting industries.  Its offering of slitter rewinder machinery and rotary die cutting equipment ranges from entry level machinery to high speed, high volume equipment as well as providing customised solutions.

Boasting in house teams of designers, project managers, machine shop, electronic technicians, assembly and installation, Daco Solutions has been using MEROBEL Electromagnetic Brakes for 10 years.

"Analysing the different options, on the market, I would say that it is the best solution," explains Dave Beynon of Daco Solutions. "Pneumatic brakes may be an option, but are less linear with a lot more wearing parts. Furthermore, there is the additional risk of leakage». Pneumatic brakes feature a torque ratio from 1 to 30max, compared to an Electromagnetic Brake offering a braking range from 1 to 100. For this reason, several pneumatic braking disks may be necessary.

"Other suppliers of electromagnetic brakes are not acceptable to me Either their reliability is not good enough, they are too complex to implement or are overly expensive.  Of the 200 machines we have delivered over the last 10 years, we have had less than 5 problems. The best thing about MEROBEL brakes, is you install them and forget about them. .../ Continued on the next page.