Universal power cell for motor load control
Latest product from Vydas International uses high-performance ‘Hall Effect’ power sensors
SENSING equipment specialists Vydas International have announced a new range of universal power cells (from Load Controls Inc.) designed specifically for precision process monitoring/control and where variable-frequency drives are fitted.
The high-performance ‘Hall Effect’ power sensors have been developed to cope with the most difficult of motor load sensing tasks when other power sensors are unable to function reliably.
According to Vydas, the control of many process machines (eg grinders, mills, mixers, rollers, pumps, compressors, conveyers etc) may improve significantly by sensing true power instead of just current.
Applications include: mixture viscosity; tool condition; optimum feed rate; pump or fan flow; beginning or end of processes; detecting obstructions/overloads; and loss of load (prime).
The universal power cell range uses the original standard UPC with analogue outputs, as well as UPC-FR (fast response) for machine tool or quick applications and UPC-E (Ethernet) which features Ethernet connection and an analogue output. There is also UPC-LC for applications where large cable holes are required.
The standard UPC is suited to mixer ‘process end-point detection’ whereby measuring the power drawn by stirrer or paddle drives, the power cell is sensitive enough to detect minute viscosity changes on machines ranging from laboratory sizes to large production units.
In combination with an associated KWH3 energy meter and DM100 load meter, the UPC-KWH is suitable for many applications such as batch mixing, where the sensor accumulates the total power absorbed in the mixing process for consistent production batches.
The universal power cell range is suitable for any single-phase/three-phase AC or DC motors. It does not use current transformers or external voltage transformers where power measurement errors may occur.
