In industrial settings, electronic sensors are everywhere these days. They help monitor processes, production and the environment, especially in facilities leveraging Industry 4.0 and the industrial IoT (internet of things) technologies. Industrial IoT Sensors are deployed campus wide, on plant floors and in automation islands.
Because industrial IoT sensors are exposed to harsh conditions and harder use than standard office equipment, they must be made with rugged materials and superior connection methods. Some components in a campus-wide network might be located outdoors, exposed to the elements. Sensors and network elements on plant floors and automation islands might be subjected to liquids, fine particulates, corrosive materials and high levels of EMI/RFI.
This blog post explains the six main types of industrial IoT sensors and sensor cable assemblies L-com provides, and highlights some of the features that make them so effective in harsh conditions.
High Standards, Special Features
In business since 1982, L-com understands that our IoT sensors and other industrial solutions must be made with the strictest standards to prevent power and network outages that result in lost time, money and efficiency. We are well versed in ANSI/TIA-1005-A and the MICE designations of the four industrial areas. We believe it is particularly important to provide sensors and sensor cables that are impervious to the high levels of ingress present on factory floors and especially automation islands. That is why you will see, on many of our industrial products, special features such as the following:
- Fully sealed, submersible and rated IP67 or IP68 for ingress protection
- Housed in stainless steel
- Arc-welded for high strength and vibration resistance
- Operational under extreme temperatures
- Resistant to corrosion from both gas and liquids
- Shielded from the EMI and RFI that is so prevalent in factories
Sensor Types and Basic Functions
Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors detect, monitor and regulate the pressure of liquid or gas and convert the data into electrical signals. They can sense flow, levels/depths and even leaks. Such detections contribute to efficiency and cost savings. Pressure sensors are used extensively in industrial process control involving gas and liquids, in differential pressure measurement, pressure calibration, eddy-current flow metering, etc.
We offer close to 100 different pressure sensors in four types: gauge, sealed gauge, differential and absolute, with options of pressure ranges from 0 to 70 MPa, 0 to 700 kPa and 0 to 5,000 psi. Many of them have rugged, stainless steel 316L housings and use a highly stable silicon die to transform the pressure into an electrical signal.
Because the pressure in the liquid is highly proportional to the depth of the liquid, our IoT level transmitters, like the LT989W series, use pressure sensors as the sensing element. Made of steel, fully sealed and submersible, they are stable and reliable.
Current Sensors
With energy prices rising, it pays to know whether your electrical systems are operating at peak efficiency. Current sensors accomplish this by monitoring and regulating the flow of AC and DC electrical current in your network. They monitor for over-current, report irregularities, prevent short-circuiting and extend the life of your components. They are well suited for electric fans, pumps and motors as well as larger HVAC, building automation and facility management systems, where acquiring energy usage information can lead to increased efficiency and less maintenance.
L-com’s dozens of AC and DC current sensors offer current-detection ranges from 0 to 300 amps and response times as fast as 50 milliseconds. They are built for harsh industrial environments, withstanding temperature ranges from -10 degrees to +158 degrees Fahrenheit and preventing condensation where the humidity is up to 90%. Our current sensors mount to panels and DIN rails.
Temperature and Humidity Sensors
Temperature and humidity sensorsgive you precise, nonstop monitoring of equipment temperature and humidity levels and real-time communication so you can respond immediately to head off potential problems. They are useful in pipelines, ventilation systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, HVAC systems, water treatment, metallurgy, chemical production, petrochemicals, construction, etc.
L-com’s wide selection of infrared and digital temperature sensors can detect up to +2192 degrees Fahrenheit. Our compact models , such as the SRTH600-405-2803, are made for cramped areas. Their high sensitivity and fast response suit them well for use in automation and other industrial applications where contactless temperature-sensing is needed.
We also offer several wall-mount or duct-mount sensors that monitor both temperature and humidity, such as the SRTH100-2001D-6401. They are useful in storage facilities, greenhouses, pharmaceutical manufacturing, HVAC systems, chemical production and research environments.
Proximity Sensors
Fiber optic proximity sensors use light beams to detect the location of target objects, which usually involve small distances in a robotic system. The light is supplied and returned via fiber optic cables, which are ideal because they can fit in small spaces and are not susceptible to electrical noise that is so common in industrial environments. Such sensors are ideal for use in industrial automation, discrete manufacturing, high-volume production, automotive manufacturing, packaging, stamping and plastic injection molding, and more.
L-com offers a line of proximity sensors, also called fiber sensor amplifiers, that quickly detect small objects and simultaneously display both signal and threshold levels. The automatic light compensation feature contributes to precise readings. There are options for single or dual NPN or PNP outputs. They hold up under a wide operating temperature range of -13 to +131 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be mounted to a wall, a panel or DIN rails. One such model is the FOACAMPC1PH.
We also carry a line of fiber optic sensor cables to be used with our proximity sensors. They are available in either through-beam or diffuse reflection design, both are well suited for demanding industrial settings. The cables have durable, stainless steel heads and flexible, high-temperature jackets. One example is the FOACAMPDH42Y.
Water Quality Sensors
Monitoring water quality is sometimes essential in industrial settings. L-com offers sensors specifically designed to monitor water for the presence of dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH , residual chlorine and turbidity. Water quality sensors are used in water or sewage treatment, chemical production, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, desalination, cooling towers and boilers, agriculture, surface water monitoring and the petroleum industry.
Noise Sensors
Noise sensors detect and measure ambient noise on factory floors, in offices, near roadways, in residential areas, in construction zones and in other noise-sensitive environments. L-com’s noise sensor delivers accurate readings from 30 to 120 decibels.
Need help deciding on the industrial sensor you need? Connect with one of our L-com technical experts now. Call us toll-free at 1-866-506-2818, chat with us live, or email us at sales@l-com.com.
