Intelligent frequency-to-current converter

April 2003 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

The FA-1 monitor from IFM Electronic, is a programmable frequency-to-current converter which converts any frequency range into either a current or voltage analog output signal. It offers a high input frequency up to 15 kHz and a choice of either a 0 to 10 V or 0/4 to 20 mA analog output.

The unit measures the frequency of the pulse train at the input, on the basis of period measurement and calculates the values of the respective output signal, taking the set parameters into account. The initial analog value, such as zero voltage can be assigned any frequency value and not necessarily 'zero'.

With its compact design, the FA-1 monitor is ideal for DIN rail mounting and provides the scaleable initial and final values of the analog signal. The maximum 15 kHz input frequency corresponds to a pulse length of 0,01 ms, while the 12-bit resolution has a maximum 500 Ω load.

Housed in plastic meeting IP 50 requirements, the unit has a 7/14-segment display and a relay and transistor switching output. Setting is easy with three pushbuttons, while parameter setting is simple by means of a display, and indication of input frequencies and analog values. IFM Electronic's special 'teach' function allows the current frequency value to be measured and directly assigned to the final analog value.

For more information contact Chris Huxham, Shorrock Automation, 012 345 4449, [email protected], www.shorrock.co.za

Further reading:

Infrared thermometers for electrical, industrial and HVAC applications
Comtest Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
: Comtest, distributor of Fluke test and measurement equipment, explains how handheld infrared thermometers are transforming maintenance in electrical, industrial and HVAC environments, with three measurement strategies and a wide range of practical applications.

Read more...

---

Reverse-engineering legacy industrial gearbox parts
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WEG Africa’s turbine workshop uses 3D scanning technology to reverse-engineer components for legacy gearboxes, turbines and compressors, enabling equipment to run for decades after OEM support and spare parts have dried up.

Read more...

---

Unlocking ICCP remote monitoring
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Cathodic protection keeps buried and submerged pipelines safe from corrosion, but verifying it traditionally means costly, hazardous manual site visits. Omniflex explains how a retrofit module brings remote monitoring to ageing transformer rectifiers without replacing functional infrastructure.

Read more...

---

Microdieseling – the explosions you never hear
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Microdieseling is a pressure-induced thermal degradation mechanism in which entrained air bubbles are compressed so rapidly that the surrounding oil ignites, producing soot, varnish and sludge. WearCheck explains how it happens, why the damage varies, and how oil analysis detects it.

Read more...

---

Electrostatic spark discharge – when static strikes back
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck technical manager, Steven Lumley explains how static electricity accumulates in modern low-conductivity lubricants, why compact system designs and fine filtration make ESD more likely, and how to recognise the degradation it leaves behind.

Read more...

---

High-speed cameras for crash testing
Horne Technologies Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vision Research has expanded its Phantom C-series with two cameras optimised for crash and safety testing, offering 4 and 8 megapixel sensors rated to 170G, up to 1180 frames per second, and Phantom Academy application training planned for South Africa next year.

Read more...

---

SKF extends remanufacturing expertise to bearing clearance modification
SKF South Africa Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Using its clearance modification expertise, SKF helped a mining equipment OEM salvage spherical roller bearing inventory that would otherwise have been scrapped, confirming a new capability within its remanufacturing services and avoiding redundant procurement.

Read more...

---

When maintenance-system compliance starts replacing plant reliability
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck ARC division manager, Annemie Willer argues that the greatest threat to effective maintenance is no longer a lack of technology, but the gradual replacement of technical judgement by CMMS compliance, leaving no one owning the machine.

Read more...

---

Automatic lubrication systems drive mobile mine machine reliability and uptime
SKF South Africa Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
SKF’s Lincoln P203 progressive lubrication systems are improving reliability and uptime on mobile machines at a Zambian gold mine, with installation of 45 units completing by October 2026.

Read more...

---

Nitration: the acid you didn’t see coming
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Nitration is as destructive as oxidation in many engines but far less understood. WearCheck technical manager, Steven Lumley explains how nitrogen oxide gases degrade lubricants, why the process is difficult to detect, and what oil analysis can reveal before damage occurs.

Read more...

---