ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY The new Accutech self-powered wireless instrumentation system is designed to reduce installation costs
Electrical equipment and industrial instrumentation supply and implementation company Magnet has extended its range to include energy management specialist Schneider Electric’s new Accutech self- powered wireless instrumentation system.
The Accutech range of instruments, which is designed for reducing installation costs, increasing productivity and enhancing safety, is low maintenance and provides solutions for telemetry and remote super- visory control and data acquisition in all industries, including hazardous environments, states Magnet MD Brian Howarth.
“The installation of a complete wireless instrument network, with instant connectivity, can now be installed in a few hours, with no need for cabling, trenching or conduits,” says Howarth.
The Accutech networks, which include push-button configuration, integrated link tests and a compact design, encompass a selection of versatile instruments and base radios, explains Howarth.
“This self-contained system – with integrated power, radio and sensor – overcomes the problems of distance, hazardous environments and the absence of power when measuring process variables that are normally difficult to reach and costly to support,” he says.
A wide range of instruments is available for measuring these process variables, which include temperature, pressure, flow and level data.
Other advantages of the system include its resistance to extreme environments, including diverse temperature and humidity levels, while Accutech field instruments can be used in upstream oil and gas applications, as well as in remote plant functions in water and wastewater works.
“The flexibility of this system enables efficient performance in applications like ‘wireless wellhead’ monitoring and control, gas pipeline leak detection with acoustic monitors, tank level measurement, where the system includes a dual float liquid interface option, and environmental monitoring, such as for storm water, irrigation and reservoirs,” Howarth adds.
Other applications include pressure measurement in any process, from 5 psi to 10 000 psi, monitoring remote sites with discrete input switches, as well as delivering 4 mA to 20 mA signals from third-party instruments, Howarth adds.
Further, he comments that a high performance, self-powered, spread-spectrum radio of 2.4 GHz, which provides effective network connectivity and long-term service using standard integrated antennas, is included in the system. Its extended reach options include external directional antennas and integrated Trio long-haul data radios that offer 256-bit advanced encryption standard encryption.
“These optional external sensor configurations allow installation in underground areas or on process equipment that is normally difficult to reach,” Howarth says, adding that external ‘hi-gain’ antennas are available for complex environments, such as those comprising obstructions where ultralong reach is required.
Moreover, each Accutech base radio can support 100 field instruments, with up to one- second sampling on instruments, he says, adding that the long-lasting lithium battery of the radio offers up to ten years’ service, reducing support costs and delivering valuable data, while advance notification gives warning before a new field-replaceable battery is required.
In addition, this Accutech range includes Division 1 Zone 1 base radios, where gas or mist may be present in the area for long periods; Division 2 Zone 2 base radios, where gas or mist may be present in abnormal conditions; gauge, submersible and float level field units; analogue and switch input and output units; as well as valve controls and output modules. Other products include gauge and differential pressure units and temperature controls, as well as turbine meter totalisers.
This self-powered wireless system supports industry-standard Modbus protocols to provide interoperability with a wide range of industrial equipment and host systems, Howarth says, noting that the Accutech manager configuration and mana- gement software provides a user-friendly commissioning interface for Accutech networks.