Unique fault indication system
November 2005
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
CHI Control is offering what it believes is a unique new fault indication system for conveyor belts, chairlifts, and a host of other applications.
The Intelligent Switch Indication System, or ISIS, was initially designed to continuously monitor all the switches in a belt or chairlift installation for open circuit or short circuit conditions, and provide an immediate fault indication - both the type of fault and the switch on which it has occurred. It can, however, be readily applied to any other application worth monitoring using field switches.
The ISIS can reduce downtime by up to 90%, obviating the need for a time-consuming search for faults, particularly on conveyor belts up to 6 km in length and longer. Such systems are especially prone to faults arising from a build-up of a corrosive film on the contacts of trip switches over time due to the fact that they are so seldom required to operate.
The ISIS is uniquely designed to connect to an existing two-wire system. A failsafe relay circuit is connected in series with all the switches in the field. Minimal additional wiring, no additional contacts, nor any screened or twisted pair cable are required. ISIS comprises a microprocessor module that controls the complete indication system and a Switch ID Transmitter (SIT), a programmable device to give each switch a unique address. Up to 255 devices can be connected and the address of each can be set by means of an eight-way DIP switch. The devices are wired to the normally-closed switches in the field and when an emergency condition causes a switch to open, the SIT transmits the address of the switch to the microprocessor module.
The standard indication panel on the microprocessor module is a mimic of the plant with all switch positions. Indication features are system utilisation, short or open circuit, fault position, rip detector, pull switch and misalignment.
Optically isolated communication takes place via the failsafe relay circuit. The microprocessor module facilitates an RS485 serial communication port, radio modem and GSM modem for remote status indication. ISIS has Modibus RTU as standard, with DeviceNet and Profibus option cards, permitting interfacing with upstream Scada or management systems.
In addition to monitoring conveyor belt and chairlift applications, devices for monitoring pressure, levels and other measurements and local mimic panels can also be incorporated into the fault indication system.
Further reading:
Modernising acid cooler protection without disrupting production
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex has supplied an advanced anodic protection control system to phosphate producer Foskor, replacing a legacy transformer rectifier system while maintaining uninterrupted production. The distributed PowerView CP solution provides remote monitoring and DCS integration.
Read more...
Engineering partnership delivers longer life for vibrating feeders in mining
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
: OST-Africa’s combination of VISAM vibrating motors and advanced rubber mounting technology has helped Euro Sales achieve a 30 to 40% increase in component life on vibrating feeders at several major mining operations, with zero mount failures in the first 12 months.
Read more...
When oil can’t take the heat
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Unlike the slow ageing of oxidation, thermal breakdown is the sudden chemical collapse of a lubricant under excessive heat. Steven Lumley of WearCheck explains how it happens, where it strikes, and how oil analysis detects it.
Read more...
Mini data loggers for temperature and humidity monitoring
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Testo’s range of four compact data loggers covers temperature and humidity monitoring for storage, refrigeration and transport applications, with USB-C or Bluetooth connectivity and capacity for up to 16 000 readings.
Read more...
Alternative fuels for cutting, brazing, soldering and heating
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Bolt and Engineering Distributors, as an authorised distributor for the Harris Products Group, is helping South African industries transition from acetylene to safer, more cost-effective alternative fuels for cutting, brazing, soldering and heating applications.
Read more...
Rethinking corrosion protection in process plants
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Remote monitoring is changing how cathodic and anodic protection systems are managed in process plants, giving operators continuous visibility of corrosion protection performance and enabling more proactive maintenance decisions.
Read more...
Installation safety tester
Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
A combination measuring device for testing electrical installations, offering safety tests including RCD, voltage, loop, low-resistance, earth resistance and insulation checks via a 3,5-inch TFT colour display.
Read more...
Bringing predictive maintenance to the next level in the pulp and paper industry
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
ennomotive has launched an international competition seeking innovative predictive maintenance solutions for conveyor belt systems, addressing a real operational challenge faced by pulp and paper company CMPC.
Read more...
Vibration sensor with CANopen interface for mobile machines
ifm - South Africa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
ifm’s 3-axis VMB301 condition monitoring sensor integrates into the vehicle network via CANopen, delivering real-time bearing, vibration and temperature data to help mobile machines avoid costly damage and downtime.
Read more...
Linear regulated 2-channel laboratory power supply
Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vepac Electronics offers a dual-channel laboratory power supply built for safe, precise testing in laboratories and workshops.
Read more...
printer friendly version