Field Wireless Vibration Sensor with Fast Data Updates and Long Battery Life Released

Yokogawa Electric Corporation it has developed an ISA100 Wireless^TM-based field wireless vibration sensor with the ability to quickly update data as well as a long battery life.

ISA100 Wireless is a technology that is based on the ISA100.11a standard. It includes ISA100.11a-2011 communications, an application layer with process control industry standard objects, device descriptions and capabilities, a gateway interface, infrared provisioning, and a backbone router.

By providing real-time updates on vibration levels in plant facilities, the new sensor helps users quickly detect equipment anomalies and enables predictive maintenance.

Development background

With a field wireless system, plant field devices and analysers are able to communicate wirelessly with host-level monitoring and control systems. The rising need to improve productivity and enhance safety by collecting more data on plant operations is driving the demand for field wireless devices, which can be installed even in difficult to access locations. Field wireless devices have the added advantage of reducing installation costs.

Vibration sensors are useful for the condition monitoring and predictive maintenance of plant machinery such as compressors, pumps, and motors. Conventional methods for monitoring vibration include the use of vibration sensors that rely on wired communications with a host system, and patrols by maintenance staff to collect vibration data. With the widening use of field wireless systems and the need to reduce installation costs, there is an increasing demand for wireless vibration sensors.

Since releasing the world’s first ISA100 Wireless-based field wireless devices and wireless systems, Yokogawa has expanded its lineup of field wireless devices that measure temperature, pressure, flow rate, and the like. This new vibration sensor will meet the company’s customers’ needs for a device that can provide the quick updates on vibration levels needed to detect anomalies at an early stage.

Product features

The principal components of this field wireless vibration sensor are the FN510 field wireless multifunction module, the LN01 piezoelectric type acceleration sensor, and the FN110 field wireless communication module. Via a gateway device, the FN510 uses the ISA100 Wireless communications protocol to exchange data with a host-level system such as a DCS. The data collected with this vibration sensor enables plant operators and maintenance staff to monitor vibration levels in real time. Both explosion-proof and non-explosion-proof types are available. Key features of this sensor are as follows:

1. Fast data updates

The sensor can be set to update data as quickly as every 10 seconds. This update time is ideal for monitoring vibration levels in plant facilities.

2. Long battery life and easy maintenance

When the vibration sensor is set to update data once per minute, it can operate on a single set of batteries for up to 10 years. In addition to eliminating the cost of providing replacement batteries, this reduces maintenance workload.

3. Highly reliable and versatile system

Thanks to the features of ISA100 Wireless and Yokogawa’s technical know-how, the company has achieved a highly reliable wireless network with fully redundant communications that is capable of sending and receiving different types of sensor signals over long distances.

Main specifications

Major target markets

Industries such as oil, petrochemicals, chemicals, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, food, and iron and steel

Applications

Measurement of vibration levels of equipment such as compressors, pumps, motors, and fans

Yokogawa's approach to field wireless communications

Yokogawa released the world's first ISA100 Wireless system devices and wireless pressure and temperature transmitters in July 2010. In addition to enabling sophisticated control techniques in continuous processes, this gave customers a wider range of devices to choose from.

Yokogawa will continue to expand its lineup of ISA100 Wireless transmitters and other devices such as adaptors to develop best-in-class solutions that provide higher value to customers, and promote the use of field wireless technologies.

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