Consider
this: You are adesigner for a bottler adding a new line.Frequent wash
downs bycleaning/disinfecting agentsrequire you to implement materials
and devices able to stand up to these conditions, while ensuring performance.
You are an engineer for an automotive
manufacturer. The sensors near your weld guns are failing at a rate
of one per week per machine. It’s your job to find a way to make
this stop. In both cases,management has entrusted the job of finding
the right components within a system that will cause the least amount
of downtime and maintenance, while standing up to the severity of these
harsh environments.
Demanding environments, like those
involving water, chemicals, extreme temperature, pressure, RFI/EMI,
weld fields, fire and explosion are a hindrance to the devices used
in these processes. Sensors designed and used in harsh duty applications
have been fitted with alterations to the circuitry, housing, connections
and inner components to effectively combat the various hazards of these
environments.
By implementing sensors specifically
designed for these applications, operations can experience less downtime
and maintenance. Incorporating specialty sensors into these applications
will often lengthen the time between replacements and offer an alternative
products where there was thought to be none. So how do you find the
right sensor? Washdown applications Damp or humid industrial environments,
like those commonly found in food and beverage industries, such as dairies,
breweries, frozen foods and packaging and filling applications provide
adverse conditions for the components operating within them.
Frequent washdowns by water, foam or
cleaning/disinfecting agents must be performed to adhere to sanitary
and hygienic regulations set forth by the FDA and other agencies. Sensors
are used in these environments on conveyors, bottling and canning lines,
packaging and filling functions or other types of machinery.
To withstand the rigours imposed by
these wet environments, sensors have been designed to resist the ingress
of water and vapours while retaining all technical abilities. This is
done by integrating design features into the sensor's front cap and
connector insert and incorporating durable housing materials such as
316 grade stainless steel.
Different manufacturers use different
methods to prevent access through the sensor’s front cap; some
use plastic or LCP caps, while others modify the inside of the cap by
inserting an o-ring. Manufactures have also potted these sensors with
different materials and modified the connector inserts to help prevent
moisture ingress.
Doing this, enables sensors specified
for washdown capabilities to resist high pressure, aggressive cleaning
agents and sudden temperature variations. Because these sensors are
able to function in these environments, they are also rated for IP68
and IP69K environmental protection.
IP Ratings IP67: Protected against
immersion effects from 15 centimetre to one meter for 30
....CONTD
