The digitisation of these products allows maintenance and operations to be streamlined thanks to remote monitoring capabilities, supporting process uptime in water quality or chemical applications.
Traditionally, in-line probes in pipework provide signals to controllers, which are then transmitted to PLCs. However, setting up this system requires lots of installation work such as wiring the panel. Another option is compact transmitters, which can offer multiple outputs: usually a switched output and a milliamp output to be used for the primary value such as pH or temperature. Some designs will feature an integrated display for ease of use, but this still requires operators to be physically at the device to see alarms, min-max values and other parameters.
However, the inclusion of IO-Link and Bürkert büS into the Element Neutrino versions of the Type 8222 and Type 8202 is said to provide a more capable solution. First, operators are no longer limited to a couple of outputs, instead gaining access to a range of diagnostic data regarding numerous other factors that affect the performance and condition of the sensors.
Furthermore, this can all be accessed remotely. Real-time data can be made available at the PLC, in SCADA systems, on the Cloud or in local storage, depending on the preference of the operator. This allows remote monitoring, unlocking a range of possibilities for OEMs, system integrators, contractors and end users.
According to Bürkert, a key benefit is that remote monitoring capabilities streamline maintenance. Diagnostics can be carried out to discern the condition of equipment and the nature of possible repairs before visiting site, allowing the right spares to be readied before leaving the workshop and avoiding multiple trips. This gives OEMs the opportunity to provide products that actively reduce maintenance requirements and cost.
For end users, having accurate real-time data on the sensors and process is claimed to enable a more proactive approach to maintaining equipment, which, combined with less maintenance, improves uptime and productivity.
System integrators are expected to benefit from the straightforward commissioning and setup of sensor parameters via a laptop, eliminating the time consuming and costly wiring of traditional systems. Additionally, the use of industrial protocols provides more integration opportunities with other equipment in a facility, like valves.
In water quality applications, the Type 8202 offers the ability to measure pH as well as the oxidation reduction potential (redox) of a fluid. Meanwhile, the Type 8222 assesses conductivity, detecting the levels of sodium chloride, hypochlorous acid or calcium carbonate (hardness) in water. It is also available for the Type 8228, an inductive conductivity meter that is popular in chemical applications.
Updates are handled via the communicator software used for setup. Download takes place when the laptop is online, so when it is next connected to the device, stored updates are automatically applied. The sensors are not required to be online to operate, giving end users options for system and security architecture.