Sensors & Transducers


Inductive proximity sensors detect generator speed

April 2014 Sensors & Transducers

For the Chinese Nari Company, inductive proximity sensors of SICK Automation’s IME product family are the optimum solution for detecting the speed of generators. The sensors meet all of Nari’s performance requirements; the IMEs were used for the first time in a power generation unit at the Xiangshuijian pumped storage hydroelectric power station.

The China based Nari Company is a leading provider of, among other things, power generation plants, water treatment plants, hydroelectric power technology and rail traffic monitoring systems. Featuring four Francis turbines, the pumped storage hydroelectric power station in Xiangshuijian generates one million kWh of power a year. For this plant, Nari needed a solution to detect the speed of the generator very precisely, and also the output of the power generation plant. Sensors made by various manufacturers underwent thorough testing. Eventually, the IME product family prevailed due to its accuracy and durability.

On the inside, the IME inductive proximity sensors feature innovative ASIC technology for better performance and reliability. Use of the compact chips enables digital adjustment of the sensing range at the end of the manufacturing process, thus increasing the accuracy. In addition, doing largely without discrete components minimises the risk of failures, which results in extended durability. The product family is available in M08 to M30 sizes, providing sensing ranges from 15 up to 20 mm. The portfolio includes all common electrical designs and a variety of connection options.

IME’s in the metal sheet cylindrical housing, meet the most stringent requirements. The IP67 enclosure rating, the operating temperature range from –25 to 75°C as well as a high level of resistance against shocks and vibrations proved decisive for Nari, as they guarantee long service life of the sensors. With their switching frequency of up to 4 kHz, the IMEs are also exceptionally well suited for counting impulses on the generator’s runner. In the meantime, their excellent performance and their first-rate economic efficiency have opened up a series of additional applications for the sensors at Nari.

For more information contact Jacque Dreyer, SICK Automation, +27 (0)11 472 3733, [email protected], www.sickautomation.co.za



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