Monitran, a world leader in the development and manufacture of sensors for the measurement of vibration and displacement, has launched the VS0004, a complete condition monitoring and alarm module.
Fixed to a piece of plant machinery, the VS0004 can respond to a rise in vibration levels in a number of user-definable ways. The unit has two alarm levels, with the user able to set Alarm 1 between 1 and 50mm/s and with Alarm 2 capable of being set as a multiple of Alarm 1, either 1.5, 2, 3 or 5x.
Bob Pickard, Monitran
Also, the unit has a 4-20mA output scaled to Alarm 2, and so can be interfaced with PLCs or other control circuitry.
The VS0004 contains a double-pole double-throw relay for each Alarm Level, and the user effectively wires to the normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) contacts depending on what action is to be taken when an alarm limit is reached. The switching capability of each relay is 8A at 240V AC or 30V DC.
The switch module also features a 10 second Alarm ON time constant and a 30 second start-up delay. Pickard continues: “The start-up delay is of particular benefit if the unit is attached to machinery which naturally shakes during power-up. Without the delay, you’d be faced with either accepting a few false alarms or setting your Alarm Levels higher.”
The VS0004 is available with latching or non-latching indicators. Pickard adds: “Latching means the unit’s Alarm Level LEDs will remain illuminated even after vibration levels have fallen below their corresponding limits. This is particularly useful as, under certain circumstances, you may not otherwise be aware that alarm or shutdown conditions had been reached.” A reset button is present on the indicator latching version of the VS0004.
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Sealed in a die-cast aluminium enclosure, the VS0004 weighs approximately 0.8kg and measures 80 x 125 x 82mm (depth, width and height, including connectors, respectively). Its frequency response is 5Hz to 1kHz and its operational temperature range is -10 to 85oC.
Pickard concludes: “Whilst there are many vibration switches on the market, few if any offer comparable versatility, or represent such good value for money when one considers that this unit could be used to protect thousands of pounds worth of equipment – to say nothing of sparing a factory the horrific costs associated with unscheduled line or plant shutdowns.”
The VS0004 is available immediately and is a fit-for-purpose replacement for its predecessor, Monitran’s popular VS0003, and it is worth noting that the VS0004 will be retailing for less than the VS0003.
