Premier Electronic Vibration Switches
Electronic Vibration Switches: Enhancing Industrial Safety
Electronic vibration switches play a crucial role in industrial environments by swiftly responding to potential hazards and preventing machinery-related damages. These advanced devices can halt machinery before it poses a threat to its surroundings. Leveraging modern technology, today's vibration switches offer accurate settings and time delays to facilitate startup. When vibrations exceed a predefined threshold, they trigger machine responses that mitigate potential harm.
Metrix Digital Switches and Their Functionality
Metrix offers electronic vibration switches equipped with circuit board systems that monitor vibration amplitudes and mitigate malfunction risks. Notably, these switches feature time delay settings that enable machine startups without activating the vibration sensor immediately. This prevents false alarms caused by initial high vibrations during startup. Metrix's electronic switches provide both single and dual setpoints, adjustable time delays, and the ability to adjust setpoints.
Working Principles of Electronic Vibration Switches
Distinctive features of Metrix vibration sensor switches include their reliance on circuitry for accurate monitoring and enhanced reliability. Unlike traditional overly sensitive sensors that can lead to excessive false alarms, electronic vibration switches offer more dependable performance, triggering shutdowns only in genuine emergencies. Moreover, operators can choose from various switch types, solid state or electromechanical switches, to allow the user to matchup the current output with the shutdown device (e.g., Control System, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System, Motor Contactor, Emergency Shutdown System, etc.).
Variants of Electronic Switches and Their Applications
Choosing the right vibration switch depends on factors such as machinery setup and operator preferences. Some common options include:
● Compact Switch: Easily mounted on casing or bearing housing, it integrates various components like accelerometers, integrators, peak detectors, signal conditioners, and microcontrollers.
● Smart Vibration Switch: Outputs a 4-20 mA signal, compatible with a range of equipment such as accelerometers, probe systems, and sensors.
● Two-Wire Solid State Switch: Powered by AC or DC, it closes or interrupts the signal when the base vibration exceeds a set limit.
Importance of Vibration Monitoring and Choosing the Right Switch
Vibration issues in machinery can arise due to various malfunctions like misalignment or worn bearings. Vibration sensor switches, digital switches, and solid-state switches can be adapted to diverse industrial operations, providing a fail-safe method to maintain production integrity. Metrix's vibration switches effectively replace traditional mechanical switches, offering versatility and compatibility with a range of machinery setups.
Premier Electronic Vibration Switches for Enhanced Protection
At its core, an electronic vibration switch identifies vibrations and promptly halts machinery to prevent operational damage. The principle is simple: if vibration exceeds a preset level, the contacts within the switch can change state, providing an alert signal or a danger signal that can be used to shut the machine down. These switches effectively detect faults such as worn bearings, imbalance, and cracked gears. Their functionality, reliant on circuit board systems, varies depending on the application and operation. Metrix provides a variety of sensors tailored to specific operational needs.
Circuit Board System and Enhanced Reliability
Electronic vibration switches operate through circuit board systems, ensuring accurate vibration detection. This approach enhances reliability compared to traditional methods that might lead to false shutdowns. Circuit board-based electrical switches inspire more confidence due to their reliability.
Time Delay and Customizability
Basic vibration switches offer minimal flexibility. However, advanced options with time delay features are valuable for startup periods, where initial high vibrations are normal. After the startup cycle, the switch monitors the vibration as designed with limits set by the user.
Key Features and Benefits
Electronic vibration switches offer crucial features for industrial applications:
● Single/Dual Setpoints: Define trigger levels, differentiating between alarm alerts and danger alerts that can be used for machinery shutdowns.
● Adjustable Time Delays: Prevents false alarms during machine startups by incorporating time delays in the alert and danger contacts.
● Setpoint Adjustments: Enhanced configurability empowers staff to tailor switches to specific requirements, reducing the likelihood of neglecting critical conditions.
Choosing the Right Electronic Switch for Tailored Protection
While vibrations are common in industrial settings, they are not normal and can lead to substantial issues. Employing vibration switches mitigates potential problems, and selecting the appropriate tool for each application is paramount. Electronic switches are dependable and offer customizable features, ensuring adaptable and reliable results aligned with operational needs. Below are several switches that can be tailored to fit your needs. If you need help, please let us know.
SW5484E Compact Switch
The SW5484E is a loop powered seismic velocity transmitter and configurable switch. The compact vibration switch incorporates a piezoelectric accelerometer, signal integrator, RMS or peak detector, 4-20 mA signal conditioner and a digital microcontroller into a single package. It is mounted directly on a machine case or bearing housing without intervening signal conditioning equipment.
SW5580 Smart Vibration Switch
The SW5580 accepts signals from machine casing mounted velocity sensors, accelerometers or shaft observing proximity probe systems and produce a 4-20 mA output proportional to the measured variable. Using the free Metrix software, the user may configure signal input types for one or two independent channels. For each channel, a green LED indicates sensor and cable integrity. In the event of sensor failure, the LED changes to red and the output current is driven below 3.6 mA, thereby signaling a malfunction. In the SW5580, each channel comes with two optional relays, either solid state or dry contacts, that can be configured for alarm level and time delay. The alarm status is indicated by the LED flashing yellow for Alert and flashing red for Danger. A BNC connector gives access to the raw input signal prior to any filtering for local analysis. A built-in 4-line alpha-numeric LCD display is used to display both dynamic input and 4-20 mA output signals. Isolation is provided between input, outputs and supply.
440 Economical Switch
The 440 switch is suitable for use in non-hazardous as well as Class I Div 2 hazardous areas. Options are available for electronic (triac or FET) or electromechanical relay outputs, allowing the switch to be used in an auto-shutdown circuit that trips the machine under high vibration conditions. SR versions provide a single alarm setpoint and corresponding discrete output. DR versions provide two independent alarm setpoints and corresponding discrete outputs, allowing implementation of Alert (pre-shutdown) and Danger (shutdown) levels. A separate 4-20 mA proportional output is also provided on all switch models, allowing connection to PLCs, DCSs, strip chart recorders, or other process control systems where vibration levels can be trended.
450 Economical Switch
The 450 switch utilizes the same internal electronics as the 440 but features explosion-proof enclosure styles suitable for Class I Div 1, Class II Div II, and Class III hazardous areas. Options are available for electronic (triac or FET) or electromechanical relay outputs, allowing the switch to be used in an auto-shutdown circuit that trips the machine under high vibration conditions. SR versions provide a single alarm setpoint and corresponding discrete output. DR versions provide two independent alarm setpoints and corresponding discrete outputs, allowing implementation of Alert (pre-shutdown) and Danger (shutdown) levels. A separate 4-20 mA proportional output is also provided on all switch models, allowing connection to PLCs, DCSs, strip chart recorders, or other process control systems where vibration levels can be trended.
SW6000 EP Switch w/internal source
This electronic switch is an economical single channel vibration protection instrument. The input to this switch is an internal accelerometer. The SW6000 is a single or dual setpoint vibration switch loaded with standard features and packaged in an explosion-proof housing.
Fully configured, the SW6000 provides for local machine protection with optional LCD readout, real time remote operator interface via 4-20 mA output and an external BNC (weather-proof only) for easy analyst access to the buffered dynamic vibration signal. Optional hazardous area certifications are available.
SM6100 EP Switch w/external source
The SM6100 electronic switch is an economical single channel vibration protection instrument. The input to this switch is an external accelerometer. The SM6100 is a single or dual setpoint vibration switch loaded with standard features and packaged in an explosion-proof housing.
Fully configured, the SM6100 provides for local machine protection with optional LCD readout, real time remote operator interface via 4-20 mA output and an external BNC (weather-proof only) for easy analyst access to the buffered dynamic vibration signal. Optional hazardous area certifications are available.
5477B Two-Wire Solid State Switch
The 5477B explosion-proof vibration switch is accelerometer based with a velocity response. This electronic switch has a low cost, unitized protection system. This switch features two-wire hookup and solid-state reliability. This makes it an ideal replacement for mechanical vibration switches when increased accuracy and repeatability are required. The removeable electronics module plugs into the weathertight, explosion-proof aluminum housing. The wire entry is sealed against moisture. An NPT stud provides a rigid, single hole mount to machinery.
PRO 440, 450 & 6000 Switch Family
The Programmable Electronic Vibration Switch family consists of the PRO440, the PRO450, and the PRO6000. These switches have nearly identical functionality and differ only by the enclosure mounting style and rating, allowing placement on or near the machine in the environmental conditions and hazardous area classifications typical of industrial plants.
Each switch in the PRO family is programmable via a USB port and PRO configuration software, or via the switch’s integral keypad/display. Advanced capabilities allow PRO switches to deliver self‐contained, single‐channel vibration protection with one or (optional) two fully adjustable alarm levels and corresponding electro‐mechanical relays. Alarm and startup delays are independently programmable, local reset capabilities are provided, and terminals are available for remotely invoking switch bypass and switch reset.