Electricity + Control April 2017

ROUND UP

ELECTRICAL PROTECTION + SAFETY

Control Applications , which has set a high standard in precise electrical metering (1 600 samples per cycle), has recently unveiled an advanced multi-meter which allows the monitoring of earth leakage current in an electric panel, alongside all other standard measured parameters of voltage, current, frequency, power-factor, harmonics etc., all accessible through a user-friendly menu, in high resolution colour graphics. Leakage cur- rent is your best indicator as a safety check- up of your electric facility. A facility in which measured leakage current is greater than allowed in regulations requires a thorough inspection. Using the ELNet LT, it is possible to constantly monitor leakage current in an electric panel utilising the power-meter function, normally present in every electric panel, all locating the source andmagnitude of the leakage at relative ease.Earth leakage

monitoring is usually performed with port- able leakage current clamp meters through which all power lines involved are passed, which feature an infamously inaccurate out- put (inaccuracy up to 15%). These leakage current detectors do not provide any addi- tional measurements as those mentioned above (VIP, PF etc.). Conversely, leakage current detectors tend to be more expensive than the ELNet LT solution which includes in it all measure- able parameters, including earth leakage current. Rather than require external active periodic check-up, the ELNet meter enables your power-meter function, already located in your electric panel, to provide permanent leakage current monitoring as well. Along scores of features, full Modbus/ BACnet supported communication via RS485 andTCP/IP ports, the unit provides all

standard measurements, and includes a digital output (DO), enabling activation of command relays or the activation of an alarm when leakage current exceeds allowed limit. Due to the extraordinarily high sampling rate (1600 SPC), accuracy is maintained also in face of distortions caused by extreme harmonics. Enquiries: Control Applications Ltd., Israel.Tel +972-3-6474998 or email export1@ddc.co.il

Smart linear guide makes maintenance easy

With the smart plastics igus has developed intelligent machine components, which monitor themselves during the opera- tion. An early warning system consisting of sensors and digi- tal communication expands the world's largest modular system

ing of the smart plastics in the future while in real operation. Part of this comprehensive range is the intelligent drylin linear guide, which can be very easily retrofitted. To make the products ‘smart’, the dry operating drylin bearings are equipped with sensors and a special module, the isense DL.W. This constantly monitors the abrasion of the dirt-resistant and dust-repellent plain bearings and determines the wear limit by which a bearing must be replaced. The status data are passed on via wireless to the user, who is able to intervene at the right time from anywhere.The isense DL.W as a lightweight and robust plastic element is ideally suitable for retrofitting as well as for a variety of moving applications in which linear guides are used, from the packaging machine to the machine tool. Furthermore, the icom module, which collects, processes and relays the data, serves as a central communication unit.The user can take over the monitoring with the terminal device of his choice and can thus always carry out maintenance, repair and replacement at the optimummoment. Enquiries: Ian Hewat. Email ihewat@igus.de

for lubrication-free and maintenance-free linear guides. The smart drylin guide is easy to retrofit and increases the customer's safety against failure. Digitised and networked process sequences in drive technology promise a high potential for reducingmachine downtimes, particularly when combined with high-performance plastics for the motion.The smart plastics from igus combine both and expand the customer's ability to provide predictive maintenance.Through con- tinuous measurements and the calculations using the parameters of the system as well as the thousands of test data from the igus test laboratory, it is possible to also reliably predict the smooth function-

Server supports redundancy controllers The PCWorx UA server from Phoenix Contact enables you to access all variables of PCWorx program- mable controllers via the OPC UA (Unified Architecture) communication protocol. With the release of server version 1.10, redundancy controllers (RFC 460R) are now also supported. In the event of a redundancy switch-over, the server automatically accesses the new controller handling the process without variables being lost.The server is designed for high volumes: it can forward data from up to 200 controllers to a visualisation or production control system. Variables are mapped via the PLCopen profile.The OPC UA server uses the binary protocol for communication, resulting in high data transmission speeds. A security concept based on certificates protects against unauthorized access, tampering, and operating errors. In addition to authentication based on certificates, the server also offers the option of encrypting communication. Detailed diagnostics and easy to understand security configuration were a particular area of focus. Using the supplied configurator, users can easily configure the security settings and diagnose the current communication connections to the clients and the controllers, and they can also do this remotely. Enquiries:Tel. +27 (0) 11 793 4403 or email sbritz@phoenixcontact.co.za

Electricity+Control April ‘17

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