PCB Piezotronics, a world leader in vibration, acoustic, pressure, force and torque sensors, has announced that its unique 686B01 series vibration switch has been ATEX approved for use in hazardous environments.
The EX686B01 is ideal for 24/7 continuous protection of cooling tower fans and gearboxes, fin fans, motors and pumps, HVAC systems, wind turbines and other critical machinery operated in hazardous areas. Meeting ATEX Ex D IIC T3 Gb approval requirements for use in hazardous environments, the EX686B01 is hermetically sealed and mounts with a single stud like a sensor. This smart vibration switch includes an embedded piezoelectric accelerometer for accurate measurement and monitors vibration velocity for more consistent results. Delivering reliability that cannot be matched by mechanical switches, the EX686B01 also offers a remote reset capability and USB programmable alarm threshold and time delays to avoid false trips.
PCB Piezotronics’ EX686B01 is highly versatile, fully user-programmable via USB and is a low cost drop-in replacement for most popular mechanical vibration switches as it only requires two wires and can replace legacy switches without additional cable runs. In addition to being a more reliable device compared to mechanical vibration switches, the EX686B01 is also a significantly lower cost alternative for many electronic vibration switch applications requiring single relay operation.
Commenting on the approval, Graham Turgoose, PCB Piezotronics’ UK [Managing Director], said: “We are very pleased that the 686B01 has been ATEX approved for hazardous area use as many of the application enquiries we have received for this unique switch have required the certification. We are confident that this product will now become an industry standard for use in monitoring equipment used in hazardous environments.”
WIDE RANGE OF ACCELEROMETER CALIBRATION SOLUTIONS
PCB Piezotronics offers a wide range of accelerometer calibration solutions encompassing handheld, portable and workstation models.
Model 394C06 is a small, self-contained handheld shaker designed for the rapid checking of accelerometers, vibration monitoring systems and recording systems. It provides a known, controlled vibration for verification of accelerometers weighing up to 210 grams. Model 394C06 is battery-powered and provides 80 to 1600 calibration cycles depending on accelerometer weight. Operating at 159.2Hz, the model 394C06 features automatic shut-off after a 1.75 minute cycle with manual override switch for continuous operation while the internal suspension is protected from overload by mechanical stops.
Ideal for pre- and post-test verification of accelerometers, the model 394C06 features switchable RMS or 1g peak acceleration output and is fully CE compliant. A metric version giving an output of 10m/s2 is also available.
Model K9100D is a portable vibration calibrator that enables production of NIST traceable vibration sensor calibration reports complying with ISO 17025/A2LA requirements.
The 9100D is designed to calibrate most vibration sensors in a bandwidth from 7Hz to 10kHz using a true RMS multimeter to measure the unit under test (UUT).
In contrast to more elaborate laboratory style systems, the model 9100D is portable making it ideal for testing in the field or at a customer’s site. The self-contained 9100D calibrator unit can support sensors weighing up to 750 grams without the aid of an external support mechanism and is equipped with its own rechargeable power source making the system an excellent choice where power is not available in the field.
The 9100D portable calibration system allows users maximum flexibility when adjusting frequency ranges (35Hz to 10kHz) and amplitude settings (acceleration, velocity, displacement). The LCD readout of shaker amplitude and frequency can be displayed in metric or imperial units. To ensure accuracy and reliability, an integrated NIST traceable reference accelerometer is included. In addition, a transfer standard – model 9105D – allows for calibration and system verification of the 9100D in the field to save having to send it to the factory for calibration.
LOW COST EMBEDDABLE ACCELEROMETERS – 660 SERIES
This unique sensor, housed in a standard TO-5 or TO-8 transistor can that gives the end user the choice to install the sensor straight onto a circuit board or to use via flying leads to embed into a system. With a low initial cost and multiple price breaks for quantity they offer an ideal solution for manufacturers wishing to incorporate high specification vibration measurements into their devices. The range includes charge mode, ICP® ¬and voltage mode models and include optional temperature output.
Covering frequency ranges of 0.4 to 10kHz (±3dB) and amplitude levels upto 500g there is a solution for wide array of applications.
Designed originally for OEM applications they are also available for use as low cost array accelerometers in Test and Measurement applications. The low cost coupled with very low weight (~2gm) allow for high channel count measurements without the risk of mass loading.
Even at the low cost all 660 series sensors are supplied with a fully NIST traceable single point calibration giving you confidence in your measurements.
