PRESSURE GAUGE The pressure to move to a more technology orientated company has seen the introduction of the Internet of Things to its devices
Measuring instruments supplier Wika Instruments has aligned the global launch of its Bourdon tube pressure gauge, the company’s most advanced gauge to date, with its new business strategy.
Although the new gauge uses the old gauge’s design, it includes Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology. The IIoT technology allows for a better, safer monitoring and assessment tool for the various processes where the gauge is used.
The gauge offers numerous features and is IIoT-ready, with the mechanical on-site display offering benefits to all process pressure applications.
The gauge functions on a battery-operated long range – commonly known as LoRa – radio transmission based on low-power, wide area network (WAN) technology.
The gauge, therefore, boasts a high transmission range of up to 10 km for the measured values, as well as a long battery life of up to five years.
The “all welded” and robust Bourdon gauge and IoT system produce a pointer rotation proportional to the pressure being measured.
The process pressure is indicated continuously by the pointer on the dial. The measuring electronics convert the pointer rotation into an electronic signal, which is further transmitted through the radio module and the antenna.
The Bourdon gauge fulfils all the safety-related requirements of the relevant standards and regulations for the on-site display of the working pressure of pressure vessels. The radio equipment also meets the electromagnetic compatibility directive and radio directive for data communication.
Further technologies such as LoRaWAN allow for complete end-to-end encryption, with bidirectional communication for safe IoT applications.
“The introduction of technology and IIoT to its services moves the company from operating as merely a sensor supplier or manufacturer to a technology solution provider,” says Wika Instruments product specialist Lloyd Townsend.
Consequently, Wika Instruments will provide not only sensor but also the connectivity, cloud services and solution offerings.
“Being able to introduce IIoT to our offerings facilitates and encapsulates more than a device – it is about being able to retrieve data and use the data to interpret solutions or identify problems, ideally even before they occur,” he adds.
“Wika’s solution will, in some instances, decrease the capital expenditure needed by clients when considering rental or leasing models,” enthuses Townsend.