Datapaq® introduces a radio telemetry system that provides live temperature data transmission from inside industrial heating or cooling processes in all kinds of industries; from batch cooking/freezing in the food processing industry, to vacuum furnace surveying in the aerospace industry, to long duration firing processes in the ceramics industry with extremely high temperatures.

^{Designed for use with the Datapaq Q18 line of data loggers, the system is comprised of transmitters for installation inside the data logger, primary and secondary receivers, and Datapaq Insight™ analysis software.}

While the data logger collects temperature data inside the heating or cooling process, the radio telemetry system enables instant analysis and adjustment of process parameters, if necessary

Q18 data loggers measure temperatures between -392 and +2,498 F (-200 and +1,370 C). These versatile units combine fast readings, a superb ±32.9 F (0.5 C) accuracy, and a high resolution of 32.18 F (0.1 C). A large internal memory allows for the logging of up to 50,000 readings per channel ensuring no data is ever lost. With six different logger sizes and channel configurations of six, ten, or twelve, the Q18 series enables optimum solutions for every need. The telemetry system utilizes the latest radio-frequency technology for real-time transmission of product and process temperature data. Up to six dataloggers can simultaneously connect to one receiver providing the ability to measure from up to 72 thermocouples.

The system enables continuous temperature monitoring and analysis. Process parameters can be adjusted almost instantaneously to ensure high product quality, reduce scrap, and save energy. The number and position of the receivers can be easily optimized to ensure best data reception from within the harshest of industrial environments. Automatic frequency selection, multiple data transmission, and transmitter internal temperature compensation eliminate interference problems and ensure data integrity.

The radio telemetry system operates on license-exempt frequencies and is fully tested and approved for use in Europe and the USA.

Datapaq, a Fluke company, has joined Ircon and Raytek as Global Experts in Temperature Measurement & Profiling. Datapaq manufactures in-process temperature profiling systems that provide key information on the effectiveness of industrial heating processes.

Why and when should you use a drive bypass?

How to reset a tripped ACS550

How to operate a Danfoss FC102 VFD using the keypad

What are Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and why do they matter? NZEB guru Tim Wentz shares his ideas at a meeting of building technology experts. Meeting sponsored by ITT (Now Xylem) RCW.

Tim Wentz is a registered professional engineer, a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the faculty of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Construction Management program. He received MCAA’s 2009 Distinguished Service Award and is an ASHRAE fellow.

Danfoss VLT Drives has introduced a new line of Vertical Bypass Panel Assemblies for Danfoss VLT® HVAC Drives in HVAC applications, when and where customers prefer bypass controls and maximum flexibility to meet strict installation constraints.

“Vertical Bypass Panel Assemblies are constructed of the same high quality components and design to deliver the same high performance as our traditional panels, but with a sleek vertical layout and smaller footprint that requires half the horizontal width of traditional panels,” says Steve Gmeinder, Product Manager.

Vertical Bypass Panel Assemblies feature a UL Type 1 / NEMA 1 design, and are UL/CUL 508 listed and seismically certified. Inherent phase loss / imbalance and brown-out protection prevents product damage and downtime in adverse power quality installations. They are available in non-bypass or 3 contactor bypass configurations, and provide 24 VDC control power for all but the largest sizes.

“The engine driving the Danfoss panel dependability is a 24 VDC switch mode power supply that greatly improves performance and dependability beyond traditional CPT power designs. The panel power supply on P2, P3 and P4 frame sizes provides steady and dependable control power, even when the input voltage drops up to 30 percent, virtually eliminating contactor malfunction due to brown-out conditions or phase loss.  On P5 frame sizes, a voltage sensing relay provides similar protection,” explains Gmeinder.

Danfoss drives provide superior performance due to the robust DC link reactor that is standard in every VLT HVAC Drive. This device offers comparable harmonic performance to AC input reactors without detrimental input voltage reductions, and without the extra heat that would typically be removed by additional fans or other devices.

Options available with Vertical Bypass Panel Assemblies include 208V – 240V through 60 HP, and 460V and 600V through 125HP.  Additional options to satisfy specific application needs include:

• Fused disconnect or circuit breaker disconnect
• Electronic or electromechanical bypass
• 100,000 Amps Short Circuit Current Rating (100KA SCCR)
• Embedded fieldbus communication protocols
• Various fieldbus and I/O option cards

This from a new release from Pike Research:

"Because commercial buildings consume roughly 23% of all electricity globally, the automation systems that ensure efficient performance are a critical part of energy management.  Until the mid-1990s, modern building automation consisted of little more than individual systems with simple control panels for switches, timers, and alarms.  Today, the market for commercial building automation systems is in the midst of revolutionary change in terms of technology and utility.  In the last several years, the focus has shifted from an individual system view to a more holistic view so that the “building system” can be defined to include virtually any device or data source within the building.  The amount of data created by automation systems can be overwhelming, but real competitive and economic value exists in using the data to monitor performance and uncover trends.  According to a new report from Pike Research, the market for commercial building automation systems will double over the next decade, increasing from $72.5 billion in 2011 to $146.4 billion by 2021."

The complete release is here: http://www.pikeresearch.com/newsroom/global-revenues-for-commercial-building-automation-systems-will-reach-146-billion-by-2021

Timing the announcement with the AHR show this week in Chicago, Danfoss has introduced the VLT® HVAC Basic Drive - a small, full-featured variable speed drive that promises reliable, low-cost HVAC performance for basic fan and pump operations.

“In some fan and pump operations advanced drive features are unnecessary and, because they are superfluous, simply add to overall costs.  The VLT HVAC Basic Drive is an ideal solution that strikes the optimum balance between price and variable speed drive performance in these straightforward HVAC installations,” says Ed Smith, a company representative.

VLT HVAC Basic Drives minimize wear on HVAC equipment and maximize system up-time, while reducing HVAC system operating costs up to 15%. 

The company says that the VLT HVAC Basic Drive is the most compact drive in its class and with its specifications to reduce panel space requirements. Numerous built-in features reduce, and in some applications may even eliminate, the need for additional external equipment such as gateways, PI controllers and PLCs.  An Automatic Energy Optimizer function reduces energy consumption by up to 15%, while “sleep mode” functionality can help further reduce operating costs and extend drive life.  Bypass frequencies minimize operating noise, vibration and resonance issues.

VLT HVAC Basic Drives also feature a “start up wizard” that makes drive set-up fast and simple, and easy tool access further aids fast and effective commissioning and operation.  A robust single-piece enclosure provides reliable, maintenance-free operation in ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees C, with no external cooling required.  A unique cooling concept provides problem-free performance, even in harsh environments, without forced air flowing over the electronics.

An electrician explains the basic operation of an ABB VFD.

Drives are coupled with motor systems for one of two basic reasons: 1.) affinity laws promise greater energy efficiency when full speed operation isn’t required, or 2.) something about the process demands variable operation and control. Sometimes the needs are combined and the drive, or drives, become very important elements in a machine, building, water or factory system. This article will focus on energy efficiency.

Since the drive came into view as a green technology -- a tool to lower consumption and costs associated with energy -- the economics of drives have improved. For example, since 2001, the base costs of a drive, purchased, installed and operating, are flat or slightly down, while the electricity price paid by businesses is up.

As long as these two numbers move in the directions that they have been moving, more businesses will become drive owners, whether the people in them know what a drive is or not. It would seem to be a matter of necessity.

However, as competition increases, project budgets tighten, and economic trends remain volatile, small differences in energy performance matter. More importantly, service advantages among drive suppliers can be the difference between a selecting a smart, green system to start with, or regressing to full throttle operation in the interest of stretching limited construction funds. Drives are not ubiquitous, yet. In the U.S., 84% of motors are not yet drive controlled and in the E.U., 76% of motors are not drive controlled.

To try to understand why, we asked energy consultants to explain the challenges that they face specifying drives. The top two reasons: effort to predict energy ROI, and complex or custom application work.

Interestingly, those same energy consultants tell us that they struggle to prove energy payback concretely. While it is common practice among consultants to rely on drive suppliers to offer pre-sale predictions of energy performance and payback, it is rare that an installed drive is proven, through audit or performance testing, to be delivering on its economic promise.

More than 50% of consultants say that they have no idea if their projects payback and another 20% say that the payback estimate is proxy for compliance (but it shouldn’t be.)

So we think that 2012 will be the year of the audit. Watch as suppliers visit job-sites, parametric data, calculators and kW meters in hand, to show why drives are, and will be, crucial to reducing energy consumption, costs, and to lowering carbon footprint. And watch as consultants begin to demand that such services are included by, even required of, accepted suppliers in winning contracts.

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*We interviewed more than 190 mechanical and HVAC consultants and users of DASH Energy ROI Software in North America for this data.