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Measurement Instrumentation
Control Equipment and
Experience
for Indiana's Process
Control Needs
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Wireless
Data Acquisition
Basic
Description:
Conventional instrument
wiring carries variable current, voltage, discrete, or data highway information
between process sensors and control equipment. Wireless Data Acquisition
refers to an initiative within the process control industry, to replace
these physical wires with radio waves. The results when using some
early generation wireless equipment have been mixed. The chief advantages
are in the cost savings of having no wiring and conduit hardware, plus
the prevention of possible circuit interruption from wiring routes which
pass through hazardous or out-of-service areas within the plant.
Traditional disadvantages have included the costs of the FCC license and
relay towers, plant machinery interference with, or caused by the radio
equipment, and the need for line-of-sight positioning between the transmitters
and receivers. |
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At an average of $18 per foot for instrument wiring and conduit, wireless
sensor connections can provide considerable savings for the plant's project
budget.
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The
APEC
Solution:
Acme
Process
Equipment
Company,
together with FEDD Systems, offers
a unique family of wireless data acquisition equipment, based on a low
power 900 Mhz spread spectrum technology, which eliminates most of the
drawbacks found the earlier generation wireless equipment. Its standard
operating range is seven miles, with options available for extended ranges.
FEDD
Systems is most cost-effective for facilities which have, or anticipate
having multiple sensing points instead of just one or two. The initial cost, which includes the transmitter(s), receiver / control interface, and factory start up, can be as little as a few thousand dollars. Additional points are a few hundred dollars each, and only
require plant personnel to bolt on a self-powered radio transmitter
to the process sensor, and program the new address into the receiver.
Features:
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Patented low-power technology is neither affected
by, nor creates any plant interference.
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No FCC license required.
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No relay towers required.
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No exposed antennas susceptible to breaking
off.
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No line-of-sight
requirements, except for extreme mounting locations, such as within solid
metal buildings or enclosures.
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Can transmit most common process control and
data highway signals.
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Can work with existing process sensors; or,
can offer FEDD Systems' own combined process / radio transmitters
for pressure, temperature, vibration, or VOC emissions monitoring.
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Combined pressure / radio transmitter can
differentiate between a rupture disk leak and a burst.
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Optional on/off wireless relay control for
discrete input devices.
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Can work from within hazardous environments
or anywhere a battery-powered wristwatch can go.
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Can interface with most existing plant PLC,
DCS, or PC-based control systems.
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One receiver / control interface unit can
monitor approximately 2000 sensor inputs.
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Compatible with standard modem or satellite
uplink systems for extended ranges.
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Factory start-up, plant control system interface
programming, and training provided standard during the initial installation and available afterward upon request.
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PC-based plant monitoring software for facilities
without an existing monitoring system.
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3.2 volt lithium transmitter battery is typically
good for 1-3 years, with remaining battery life monitored by the receiver.
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Solar panels optional, to power both the radio
and process transmitters in some cases.
What
we typically need to know:
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Type and number of originating points to be
monitored.
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Hazardous area classifications and approximate
physical spacing of the originating points.
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Distance to the operator or system destination
area.
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Building design or obstructions the radio
signal will need to pass through.
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The destination monitoring equipment or type
of display desired.
Additional technical information is available
on our "Manufacturers" page. |
New Application? Engineering
Questions?
Process Measurement
Problems?
Talk
to an Applications Specialist
ACME Process Equipment Company, P.O. Box 856, Carmel, IN 46082
Phone (317) 846-3321, Fax (317) 846-3328, Email info@acmeprocess.com
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