Industrial Factory Automation

Red Lion issued a press release today to announce that our Crimson® 3.0 software has reached a milestone with communication support for more than 300 industrial protocols. Protocol conversion is a key element needed to make the concept of the Connected Factory a reality, empowering plant managers to adapt existing equipment including drives, PLCs and HMIs to drive efficiency while reducing total cost of ownership in industrial environments. With just a few clicks, Crimson converts protocols for disparate industrial devices, allowing them to share work-in-process, machine status and other information. Deployed on our award-winning Graphite® HMI panels, ProducTVity Station™, Data Station Plus or other industrial automation offerings, Crimson gives organizations the ability to boost productivity, optimize material usage and troubleshoot systems in real time. Supporting the simultaneous conversion of multiple protocols, the use of Red Lion’s Crimson-enabled products allow companies t

NK Technologies solid-core case ATH Series Current Transducers with Time Integration now accommodate 120 VAC power supplies for use in heater monitoring applications. ATH current transducers are also available in solid-core or split-core 24 volt models. ATH current transducers are compatible with most automation systems and are ideal for monitoring burst fired time proportional control of heating systems. The ATH series also feature a simple two-screw panel mount and optional DIN rail brackets for quick and easy installation. These current transducers are factory calibrated and feature industry standard outputs. They provide an output signal directly proportional to the RMS amperage and are accurate even though there are periods of time when the heating circuit is intentionally off, using no power. Their design enables the sensor to remain installed over the conductor while the heating circuit is powered or when it is being serviced, regardless of what may be connected to the out

NK Technologies announces that ASL Series AC Current Operated Switches have been selected as a Golden Mousetrap Finalist in the Components, Hardware and Interconnects category for Electronics and Test. The Awards celebrate the companies, products, and people who are energizing North American design, engineering, and manufacturing. The Golden Mousetrap Awards were announced at the Golden Mousetraps Ceremony held February 11, 2014 at the Anaheim Marriott. Design News’ industry leading editors worked tirelessly to go through the many entries received to come up with the products most deserving to be on their list of finalists.  The finalist entries were then sent to the entire editorial team, as well as their distinguished Advisory Board who chose the winners. “Current monitoring helps ensure that applications operate at the desired current level, while enabling users to take corrective action before more significant and costly problems resulting from over- or under-load condition

NK Technologies introduces APT Series Power Transducers. The APT measures three phases of current and voltage and produces an industry standard analog signal proportional to the watts used. The monitor uses current transformers to measure the amperes, and the line voltage connects directly to the transducer, up to 600 VAC. By comparing the instantaneous current flow with the circuit voltage, the power factor, whether leading or lagging, allows the APT transducer to produce a signal directly proportional to the wattage used. The APT power transducer can be configured to accept 5 A secondary current transformers, or NK Technologies’ ProteCT™ low voltage output sensors. Either type of current sensing will produce an accurate output signal to help identify areas of excessive energy consumption and allow intervention to reduce demand. “In many applications, monitoring power usage produces a more accurate result than measuring current use alone,” explains Philip Gregory, President, NK

NK Technologies introduces ATPR “E-Out” Series AC Current Transducers. ATPR current transducers combine a current transformer with a true RMS signal conditioner in a single package. This enables the ATPR series to produce a 0-5 or 0-10VDC RMS output on distorted waveforms located in the output of variable frequency drives, phase angle fired heating controls, and on linear loads in “noisy” power environments. “The ATPR series provides true RMS sensing, meaning output is proportional to the current flowing in the circuit even with high distortion or harmonic loads,” says Philip Gregory, President, NK Technologies. “Field selectable ranges minimize inventory requirements and easily accomodate changes in load conditions, and a split core housing simplifies installation – users simply release the latch and snap it over the conductor. And the unit’s DC voltage output is ideal for data acquisition systems, panel meters or controllers with only voltage inputs available.” The ATPR serie

NK Technologies introduces the ATS Current Sensing Switch and Transducer. The ATS series is a one piece solution that combines a limit alarm with an analog output signal transducer to monitor produced or consumed AC current up to 1200 amps, while magnetically isolating outputs and inputs to maximize safety. An innovative and patent pending rotary switch makes it easy for users to set the trip point. DIN rail mounting simplifies installation and provides an extremely secure mount that is resistant to conductor movement. “The ATS series is an invaluable preventive maintenance tool for anyone responsible for monitoring high AC current loads. With the ATS series users can monitor air handling blowers, pumps, crushers and many other large loads with a single self-contained current switch, and the built-in analog signal helps users identify bearing wear and other mechanical problems before they result in unplanned and costly downtime,” says Philip Gregory, President, NK Technologies. “