Wireless supervision

September 2008 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Hazard analysis critical control point system (HACCP).

During production and quality assurance, particularly in the food industry, exact temperatures and humidity are critical factors, and documented reports for evaluation and proof are required, for example, HACCP compliance or to meet ISO 9000 and 14000 standards.

Saveris is a combined wireless and Ethernet monitoring system for temperatures and humidity which incorporates a base logging alarm unit with extensive memory for storage of data of up to 40 000 records per channel. The central station logs and stores the data, manages reports and alarms, and initiates messaging via SMS. Data is presented on the systemLAN which makes it accessible from multiple PCs.

Remote data transmission

Data transfer is reliable due to bi-directional communication at a radio frequency (ICASA approved) that ensures good penetration through buildings and obstructions. The benefit is that information can be reliably gathered from remote or inaccessible locations at conveniently preset intervals by a central server. The benefits are the savings in time expended by the operators and a reduction in human error.

In free field, the transmission path is approximately 100-300 m at a frequency of 868 MHz. The radio link can by incorporating a wireless router, while memory in the probe ensures that measurement data is not lost in the event of interference in the radio link.

Subsystems can be established through a combination of wireless probes converting to Ethernet, which in turn use existing LAN infrastructure to communicate with the Saveris base. An integral display shows current measurement data as providing an indication of probe status.

The Saveris base

The base is the heart of the Testo system and can save 40 000 readings per measurement channel – independent of the PC. Data can be downloaded as and when required, or in conjunction with a PC server making the data accessible via the Internet.

An emergency battery back-up data integrity in the event of a power failure.

In the event of limit values being violated, the base issues a visual alarm, electronic notification can be sent via SMS or e-mail, a relay output is provided for connection to an alarm transmitter. In total, a base can incorporate 150 radio and Ethernet probes or 254 measurement channels.

All measurements are saved centrally in the system database and can be recalled at any time in tabular or graphical format for inclusion in quality reports and other documentation.

For more information contact Chris Tomanek, Unitemp, +27 (0)11 392 5989, [email protected], www.unitemp.com

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