Signal Level Meter for CATV Signal Measurement
August 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
GAO Instrumentsrolled out its super signal level meter used in the CATV industry. This super level meter measures and displays the amplitude at a specific frequency or any carrier defined by the user. This super signal level meter tests analogue channels, digital channels (QAM) and FM channels efficiently and effectively. It also performs C/N measurement, voltmeter functions, spectrum analysis, auto testing, data logging and return path measurements.
This super signal level meter, model A0500003, operates within a broad frequency range of 45MHz to 870MHz or 5MHz to 870MHz. The peak-hold level measurement function in the LEVEL and SPECTRUM modes enables the meter to detect the occasional disturbance. The meter features a compact size, automatic timing measurements and quick charging. It is an ideal and invaluable tool for CATV signal testing.
Instrument Measures Flow Rate Of Electrically Conductive Liquids
August 27, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
Krohne will announce its innovative compact flow solution for full or open channel pipe featuring both the Tidalflux 4300 and Waterflux 3070 from Krohne’s tried and true line of electromagnetic flow meters.
The new Tidalflux 4300 is used to measure the volumetric flow rate of electrically conductive liquids in partially filled pipelines, which offers unsurpassed accuracy for wastewater measurement. The Tidalflux 4300 is combined with a capacitive flow-level measuring system, built into the wall of the measuring tube, providing accurate flow measurements in partially filled pipelines, with levels between 10 and 100% of the pipe cross-section. Its precise factory calibration ensures a level of measurement accuracy never before possible in partially filled pipelines. Featuring excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, the flowmeter’s steady display of measured values is achieved regardless of rough product surfaces and distorted flow profiles. Tidalflux 4300 provides a measuring error of <1% of the measured value, ensuring exact measurements with a low time constant even in cases of wave motion and heavy contamination.
For line sizes 1 to 24 inch, the Waterflux 3070’s 15 year battery life makes it ideally suited as an alternative to mechanical water meters where no power is available. The device also has the option of a GSM module for remote transmission of measurement data and status information. The Waterflux 3070 offers the user several unique benefits. Thanks to extremely short inlet and outlet installation requirements, the Waterflux 3070 can be installed in very narrow wells and chambers. As a magnetic-inductive meter it is highly accurate and stable, while also featuring a lower pressure drop than comparable mechanical water meters. For large diameters, the Waterflux3070 has a significant price advantage compared to the lifetime cost of mechanical meters which often require filters and rectifiers as well as significantly more maintenance and cleaning.
T1 BER Tester Performs At Rates From 50b/s to 2048kb/s
August 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
GAO Comm has announced the release of its newly developed T1 BER tester which is an invaluable tool for routine maintenance, repair and operation monitoring for communication systems. This T1 BER Tester incorporates a special remote monitoring function, which enables the user to perform convenient real time monitoring through its software running in Windows environment.
This T1 BER tester performs 2M online monitoring and error code testing at rates from 50b/s to 2048kb/s. It supported interfaces include G.703, V.24/RS232, V.35, V.36/RS449, X.21, EIA – 530/530A and RS485/RS422. The tester capabilities include E1/T1 BER testing, NX64K BER testing, histogram analysis, E1 jitter measurement, pulse mask measurement, and ITU-T G.821, G.826, M.2100 measurement. It features propagation delay and error injection/ alarm generation. This T1 BER tester can view received data/FAS/MFAS words and send frame words including Sa bit. It is equipped with a large back lit LCD screen and stores test results and configurations into its 256kb RAM memory. Its firmware is upgradable via RS232 interface.
Battery & System Tester Incorporates Thermal Printer
August 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
Clore Automotive introduces Model No. BA327, a digital battery and system tester with integrated printer, from SOLAR. This model offers a complete testing solution for 6 and 12 Volt batteries and 12 and 24 Volt charging systems. Compatible with a wide variety of battery types, it features easy, intuitive operation with quick, accurate assessment of battery condition and starting and charging system performance.
Testing is quick and easy and allows the operator to perform either a battery test, system test or both from the home screen. The tester walks through the test sequence, prompting for key pieces of information and guiding the operator from one step to the next. It will test 6 and 12 Volt batteries with an operating range of 40-2000 CCA and will provide an analysis of 12 and 24 Volt starting and charging systems. The BA327 is compatible with many different types of batteries, including Conventional, Maintenance Free, AGM, Gel Cell, and Marine Starting Deep Cycle batteries.
Its integrated printer provides easy service documentation, printing out clear and accurate readings in just seconds. The printer uses standard thermal paper that is readily available at any office supply store. In addition, the printing stage can be easily bypassed if a printout is not necessary. The tester features a counter to track the number of battery and system tests performed so shops can track tester usage.
The tester assigns a unique code for each battery test performed for warranty or service documentation. It also incorporates a number of features that improve convenience during testing, including reverse polarity protection, extra-long cable leads reaching 10′ and a rugged case for safe, secure storage.
Scanner System Integrates Multiple Point Measurement Data
August 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Sensing
BinMaster® Level Controls introduced the MVL multiple scanner system that integrates multiple point measurement data from two 3DLevelScanners to cover a very wide surface area and provide better inventory accuracy for large vessels than any other level measurement device. Designed specifically for the challenges of very large bins, the BinMaster MVL system displays a visual representation of the material surface that shows high and low points in the bin such as cone up, cone down, sidewall buildup or bridging. Reports generated by the 3D software provide data such as volume as a percentage, in bushels, or cubic feet or meters; maximum, minimum and average levels or distances to product; weight in US tons, pounds or metric tons; and historical logs of bin measurements.
An MVL system consists of two model MVL 3DLevelScanners, a controller that aggregates the data, 3D Vision software to be loaded onto a PC, and a 3DLinkPro modem for remote access to the scanners. The BinMaster MVL system works by integrating the measurement data from two scanners mounted on the top of the vessel in locations optimized to most effectively cover the entire surface area of the material. Generally, one scanner is mounted near the center and the other eight to ten feet from the outer perimeter. The scanners take multiple measurements of the material surface using dust-penetrating, acoustic-based technology. A controller then combines the data from the two scanners and generates a single merged visual representation of the topography of the material and displays the image on a PC loaded with the 3D Vision software that can be viewed as real-time 3D images or historic 3D image movies.
Wireless Air Quality Measurement Tool Uses Infrared For Accuracy
August 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Sensing
The Eltek GD47 is a self contained transmitter for air quality measurements. It collects temperature, humidity and CO2 measurements and sends them wirelessly to a receiver for storage, display and alarming. The GD47 has an LCD to provide local real-time display of measured values. It uses a self calibration NDIR (infrared) sensor for accurate CO2 measurements in the range of 0-5000 ppm. The GD47 is powered by an external 12V supply with an internal NiMH back-up battery that can provide up to 100 hours of operation. The GD47 is one of more than two dozen models of transmitters with versions for temperature, humidity, voltage, current, state/pulse, light and air pressure.
Measured data is transmitted via a proprietary wireless link to one of several receivers:
o RX250AL – Wireless receiver with local storage for up to 250,000 readings and alarm output
o RC250 – Wireless receiver with serial data output for connection to a computer
o WSR – Wireless receiver with analog output
Depending on the transmitter frequency and environment, the typical wireless range can be several hundred feet to almost a mile. Repeaters are available to extend the range.
Pressure Measurement Tools In Railway Applications
August 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
Reliable pressure measurement is essential in railway vehicles – especially in the various brake systems. However, the monitoring of pressure is also relevant for other transportation applications such as pantographs, cooling systems of power units, air conditions or dampers. Due to the vibrations during the operation, the pressure measuring devices have to be extremely robust. Baumer offers a wide range of measuring instruments which meet the standards for railway applications and have been homologated by numerous railway vehicles manufacturers.
Challenges for Measuring Instruments in Railway Applications
In order to be approved for the use in railway vehicles, measurement devices have to fulfil all important standards for railway applications: DIN EN 50155 (for electronic equipment used on rolling stock), DIN EN 61373 (tests regarding shocks and vibrations), DIN EN 50121-3-2 (electromagnetic compatibility) as well as the fire and smoke preventions specifications NF F 16-101 and NF F 16-102. All of Baumer’s measuring instruments for railway applications are developed according to those standards. If developed especially for a certain manufacturer, the product design also considers customers’ specifications. The creation of a compliance matrix guarantees that the customers’ requirements are fulfilled during the product development. At the end of the first production run, the customer’s quality management carries out a First Article Inspection (FAI), which has to be successful in order to continue with the production. This type test includes a series of tests ensuring that the products meet the usual standards for railway applications as well as the customer-specific requirements. The test series include a voltage analysis, several pressure load cycles, the operation at high temperatures and tests with shocks and vibrations. The accuracy respectively the total error band is checked within a defined temperature range. During long-term tests, a certain number of sensors have to be operated at a high temperature for 10.000 hours.
With the EF6, Baumer has developed a pressure transmitter suitable especially for the severe conditions in transport applications. In order to achieve the homologation of different manufacturers of railway vehicles and suppliers, the sensor had to pass through numerous test series, for example for accuracy. In order to meet the standard EN 60770-1, the total error band must not be be higher than 0.5% in a temperature range between -20°C and 60°C, and 1% in a range between -40°C and 80°C. Other tests – some of them taking up to twelve months time – exam the robustness, long-term stability and thermal resistance, the degree of self-heating, overpressure stability, burst pressure and leak tightness.
Application Examples
The EF6 controls the brake system pressure of several high speed trains. It is especially suitable for railway applications in which the pressure sensors are submitted to many pressure cycles. This happens in hydraulic and pneumatic brake controls or in cooling circuits. The transmitter is also used in high voltage areas. In several types of locomotives, the EF6 controls the pressure of the pantograph (a device collecting electric current with up to 2.500 Ampere from overhead lines) on the power supply line. The output signal is transmitted to a microcontroller for the pressure regulation.
The EF6, protected by a stainless steel case, is available with a piezoresisitive or a capacitive ceramic sensor. The measuring range can be chosen individually according to customer needs between -1…100 mbar and 0…200 bar. The response time is less than 15ms. With a MTTF (mean time to failures) of 10 million hours, the EF6 has en excellent long-term stability. Due to its high reliability, the device can also be used in harsh transportation applications like tank and fire trucks or underground construction vehicles.
The pressure control in pantographs can also be carried out by the pressure gauge MEX3 with a Bourdon tube. It measures a pressure range between 0 and 250 bar with an accuracy class of 1.6. For heavy duty applications, Baumer offers the MEX3 in a particularly robust version, where the device made of stainless steel is mounted in an aluminium housing equipped with a polycarbonate window. In that reinforced version, the MEX3 controls the pressure in hydraulic parking brakes in trains.
The MFE series was also developed especially for railway applications. The pressure gauge is mainly used for on-board applications. Offered as simple or duplex gauge, each measuring channel can measure from 0…6 bar gauge up to 0…16 bar gauge. The measuring device is mounted in an aluminium case and available with 80, 100 or 150 mm diameter. Due to the dial illumination (internal or external), the visibility in the cab is excellent. The internal backlight works with a power supply from 24V to 130V (AC or DC). The MFE3 version with a two-coloured dial is used to control the brake or suspension systems of the bogies.
The pressure switch CPX was developed for a temperature range from
-40 °C up to 150 °C. The compact, cost-effective device is applied particularly in the cooling system of power control systems (thyristors) as well as in tramway braking systems. Its pressure range lies between 0 and 160 bar. The measuring instrument can be adapted to customers’ specifications, as it happened in a version for an increased operating voltage of up to 130V.
Pressure Microphone Designed For High Frequencies
August 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
The global market introduction of the Endevco model EM46BD, a combined quarter-inch ISOTRON pressure microphone and TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) enabled preamplifier, has been announced by Meggitt Sensing Systems. It is designed for precision sound pressure measurements and high-level, high-frequency measurements in a variety of larger channel count aerospace, automotive and general laboratory testing applications.
The fully repairable Endevco model EM46BD comes in a preassembled kit, consisting of both a high-precision condenser microphone and preamplifier, constructed of stainless steel for high durability. Units are assembled in a clean room environment to minimize contamination in the contacts, and are calibrated together to form a reliable acoustic measurement system. Offered with a wide audio frequency range from 10Hz to 70kHz and a wide dynamic range, the Endevco model EM46BD microphone is designed according to guidelines set forth by the IEC 61094 Class 1 standard, fulfilling highest industry standards for acoustic product reliability and precision. Incorporation of TEDS technology allows for the microphone and preamplifier to be recognized by any smart-transducer compatible input module. When connected, the analyzer will derive information such as microphone type, serial number and sensitivity, which is able to be read by the application software.
Recommended accessories include the Endevco model EM42AA handheld pistonphone calibrator, which facilitates field checks of complete acoustic measurement systems and may be used to conduct level calibrations of laboratory measurement microphones, as well as the Endevco model 4416B ISOTRON power supply (2-20mA) and the model 133 three-channel signal conditioner, says the company.
Handheld ADSL2+ Tester Measures Distances Up To 6.5km
August 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
GAO Instruments has announced the release of its easy-to-use ADSL2+ tester which tests ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+ and RE-ADSL2 lines. This multi-function tester quickly determines the type of line under test and loads the applicable ADSL line standard automatically. It performs TX and RX data packet accounting, PING testing and ISP login simulation.
This compact ADSL2+ tester, model A0300010, automatically transmits VPI, VCI, user name and password according to embedded configuration parameters input via accompanying software. It supports a maximum measurement distance of 6.5km and stores one hundred groups of test results, along with configurations and margins, which can be uploaded to a computer for analysis. Test results are clearly displayed on the high resolution backlit LCD screen which also indicates alert conditions and the connectivity of WAN or LAN. In addition, the operator only needs to enter the configuration, set the measurement margin and parameters, and with the press of a single key, ADSL2+ line parameter testing, modem simulation and ISP login are conveniently completed.
Intelligent Handheld Power Meter Has 10-60kHz Range
August 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
GAO Fiber Optics released its intelligent handheld power meter with an identification frequency range of 10Hz to 60kHz. It is used in telecommunications and CATV maintenance and fiber optics facilities. This handheld power meter measures absolute power and relative loss of fiber optic cables. It is characterized by its wide range of power measurement, fast speed, high test precision and auto frequency identification which provides great convenience and excellent performance in measurement.
This full featured power meter, model 08121, tests optical power within a wavelength range from 800nm to 1650nm over a measurement range of -70dBm to 6dBm. Pre-calibrated wavelengths include 850, 980, 1300, 1310, 1490, and 1550nm; additional optional calibrated wavelengths are available. The power meter displays tested power output in mW, dB and dBm on its large high definition LCD screen. It has a memory capacity of 240 records and a RS232 communication port for data transmission. The easy-to-use power meter is resistant to dust and water and features quick response without requiring warm-up. It has an FC universal 2.5mm adaptor and offers FC, SC and ST interchangeable connectors for selection. An auto-off function kicks within ten minutes of inactivity for power saving.
