Rutronik Releases Temperature-Sensor IC Range

Rutronik has presented the TSci temperature-sensor IC range from ZMDI, containing fully tested and calibrated sensors with absolute measurement accuracy on delivery. Designed for high-performance, cost-effective solutions, the TSic series is used for sensing temperature in building automation, automotive, industrial, office automation, white goods and low-power/mobile applications.

The TSic series employs a high-precision bandgap reference with PTAT output; a low-power, precision ADC and an on-chip DSP core with EEPROM to precisely calibrate the output temperature signal. They include ICs with two linear analogue signal output options, such as standard 0-1V (supply voltage is 3.0 to 5.5V) or ratiometric (10-90 per cent of supply voltage); or the digital serial output signal for interfacing with microcontrollers.

The TSic 506 has a typical current consumption of 45uA, which leads to typically less than 0.07C temperature-reading error due to self heating of the device.

Able Temperature Controls Boost Heater Efficiency

One Series programmable temperature controls from Able have been used as part of a GBP22,000 upgrade of a natural draft utility heater. The heater was only achieving 64 per cent combustion efficiency and was having problems maintaining process temperature. Each of the two fire tubes was estimated to have approximately 3.5 million BTU per hour.

The eight-wire One Series maintained a process temperature of 272C, with only one fire tube running at 68 per cent combustion efficiency. Its two independent solid-state relays allow for the separation of the control points and precise setting for each dead band, which eliminated previous process temperature overshoot and undershoot issues. The second fire tube has a live pilot, which will turn on if the process temperature drops below 267C.

A 4-20mA auxiliary output is included, which can be tied into a PLC/DCS as a trending and monitoring function. The total volume of air is now being heated by one fire tube and is approximately 105,000 SCF per hour; this is a reduction in air volume and translates to more heat into the process and less wasted into the atmosphere. The efficiency gains with using the One Series temperature controls will pay for the system upgrade in as little as two months, with approximately GBP410 per day being saved in fuel costs.

DTS System Monitors Power Cable Temperature

Lios has supplied its DTS system to a renewable energy company for monitoring the temperature of two medium-voltage power cables coming from a wind turbine towards the substation. All asset condition-monitoring data from the controller is linked in real time by means of the Modbus communication protocol to the operator's Scada system.

The company said that by using DTS it has a better control over the thermal cable conditions, thus over the load of the power cables, meaning it can utilise its assets more economically.

Accelerometer Has Enhanced Temperature Capability

Inertial Aerosystems has introduced a small diameter, shock-resistant accelerometer with enhanced temperature capability. It has been designed primarily for down-hole measurement while drilling (MWD) applications in the gas and oil industries and also wireline environments that require a small form factor such as the new generation of directional and horizontal drilling tools.

Designated the Mini-Q accelerometer, it is manufactured by US-based Honeywell and uses the low-noise, Q-Flex-etched quartz-proof flexure seismic system, modified for harsh environments. Operating temperature is now -40 to 185C, with intermittent capability of 200C. The shock operating/non-operating performance is -40 to 85C at 1,000g, 0.5ms and 85 to 185C at 400g, 0.5ms.

Input voltage is +/-12V DC to +/-18V DC with input current (quiescent) 8mA max, 6mA typical. The device can be scaled to any full-scale range to 30g, has an analogue output with an internal temperature sensor, and fits into a 25.4mm tool diameter.

IFM Temperature Switch Has Longer Probe

The latest temperature switch from IFM Electronic has been developed with a longer probe. The setting rings on the TK temperature switch show where to set the output temperature. The desired switching temperature can be set on the bench or in the process.

The Pt1000 element is designed to provide lasting, reliable and accurate sensing of the temperature. Two LEDs indicate the switching status and readiness for operation. The TK is corrosion resistant as its wetted parts are high-grade stainless steel. It is available in five versions, with a temperature setting range between -25 and 140C ( -13 and 284F), with either two separate switch points with fixed hysteresis, or adjustable set and reset points. Operating voltage is 10 to 30V DC and both the outputs can handle 500mA.

Threebond Develops Low-Temperature Chip Bonder

The TB2217H low-temperature cure chip bonder from Threebond offers curing at 80C and addresses an array of chip bonding issues for manufacturers and rework facilities. This single component epoxy offers ease of handling by syringe and full compatibility with automated dispensing systems to enable chip retention on PCBs going through multi-station lines and wave soldering equipment.

By offering a low cure temperature of 80C with a 220s cure time, TB2217H can eliminate possible damage to heat-sensitive components while at the same time offering a high-speed snap cure of 60s at 150C where needed. Whether applied by syringe or print system the TB2217H offers an air-bubble-free solution to component retention with dispensing speeds in excess of 30K dph, good dot shape and without stringing and tailing.

Prior to curing it provides excellent tack strength ensuring no component movement or loss during population and handling, while after curing it exhibits exceptional bond strength with various types of component materials, claims Threebond. TB2217H is compatible with the DEK Proflow Direkt imaging system and is available in DEK Proflow cassettes.

Other packaging available includes a range of syringe styles, Fuji, EFD, Iwashita, Panasonic, as well as cartridges. It is suitable for either pneumatic, (time/pressure system), or positive displacement dispensing systems (helical screw system), or dispense jet systems. Similarly it may be used in a wide range of print type systems.

Optotherm HP20 Offers Precise Temperature Control

The Optotherm HP20 provides precise temperature control (+/-0.01C) of thermoelectric modules and heating/cooling stages within a temperature range of -40C to +250C. The HP20 operates in a bi-directional, H-bridge configuration for smooth transitions between heating and cooling cycles and provides output current of up to 20A at 12VDC. The HP20's PID capabilities are claimed to enable rapid response to changes in operating conditions and provide tight control over a broad temperature range.

TE View, the included PC-based software, provides an interface for configuring and operating the controller via the controller's serial (RS-232) interface. Once the controller is configured, the computer can be disconnected and the controller can be operated manually using the front-panel push-button interface. When the controller is connected to a PC, the set-point and actual temperatures can be plotted in real time, providing a temperature history that can be saved in ASCII text format and imported into data analysis programs. It features plotted temperature data and step-by-step instructions, facilitating the process of setting correct PID control parameters.