Dual process panel meter with high-speed maths functions
June 2004
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Red Lion Controls is offering its PAXDP dual process input meter, an innovative two-in-one process control solution that lets users monitor, scale, and display two independent input sources, perform a high-speed math function on the input values, and displays the resulting value.
The PAXDP can be set up to display input values from both signal sources, calculate, and display a resultant value based upon the two input values. With optional plug-in cards, the meter can be equipped to generate desired outputs including alarm triggering, retransmission of analog output, or data to comms via a host of industrial communication protocols.
"The PAXDP adds sophisticated monitoring of tolerances and ranges to many process applications, including displaying and calculating of input/output and before/after differentials in pressure, voltage, flow, dimension and levels," said Jeff Thornton, product manager. "By adding a second input to our industry-standard PAX metering platform, PAXDP offers a flexible means of monitoring, comparing and calculating from two separate input sources."
Among the integrated maths functions in the PAXDP are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and complex calculations incorporating a defined constant value. Maths functions are performed at high speeds and results can be calculated at user-selectable rates from five to 105 updates per second. The meter incorporates 16-point scaling for nonlinear processes and a 9-digit totaliser (integrator) with batching capabilities.
The 1/8 DIN PAXDP meter is available in both AC and DC models that accept two 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10 V d.c. input signals. Features include a NEMA 4X/IP65 sealed front bezel, a 5-digit sunlight-readable 0,56" LED display with variable intensity, Flash programmable software upgrades, and programmable function keys/user inputs. Available for programming the PAXDP is the robust, intuitive Crimson 2 software - a flexible and powerful programming language that facilitates communication across a broad range of industrial controls and devices.
A series of optional drop-in cards expand the PAXDP's output capabilities. Four setpoint output cards are available including dual FORM-C relays, quad FORM-A relays, quad sinking or quad sourcing. A retransmitted analog output card offering 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10 V d.c. is also available. The PAXDP offers the Modbus communication protocol standard; additional communication/bus card offerings include RS232, RS485, DeviceNet and ProfiBus-DP. The company offers a free brochure detailing typical applications for the PAXDP. More information can also be found at the company's website www.redlion.net/panelmeters. Red Lion Controls is a leading manufacturer of industrial control solutions worldwide. Products include digital/analog control, monitoring and panel meters, PID control, human-machine interface panels, and signal conditioning.
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...