• By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 5 minutes

What Is The Rotronic HygroClip?

Manufactured by Rotronic, a world-leader in the manufacture of precision accurate Temperature Measurement Instruments, their HygroClip provides measurement for both relative humidity and temperature – a family of digital measurement instruments with portable, benchtop and fixed transmitter products for commercial, industrial and hazardous area locations.

HygroClip digital probes are available in a wide range of configurations to cover most temperature and humidity measurement applications.

Why Is HygroClip The Best?

Basically, Rotronic HygroClip provides high measurement performance at low cost with 100% interchangeability with “plug and play” technology. HygroClip features a custom ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed specifically for measurement of temperature and humidity.

How Is HygroClip Used?

Rotronic HygroClip is used as a stand alone sensing module with both analogue and digital outputs – the measurement module is integrated into Rotronic instruments, data-loggers, transmitters and probes.

Tell Me More

HygroClip is a digitally based relative humidity and temperature measurement module, part of the Rotronic range of precise measurement instruments utilising digital technology to increase the precision of process instrumentation. The precision of %rh (relative humidity) measurement depends on several factors:

• Drift
• Hysteresis/Repeatability
• Operating Temperature
• Thermal Characteristics
• Calibration 

Small & Compact 

Rotronic HygroClip is a small module containing sensors and relating circuitry – the measured value is defined internally as a robust signal before connection to transmission equipment. Error correction is controlled more consistently while measurement and thermal characteristics are simpler to define.

Digital Measurement

The digital signal processing technology pioneered by Rotronic provides multiple options in the provision of error correction and also scope for increased flexibility than conventional analogue circuitry with much faster integration of future upgrades or integration into new developments.

MEASUREMENT of HUMIDITY, DEW POINT, FLOW, PROCESS PRESSURE, CARBON DIOXIDE & TEMPERATURE

T&D distribute Rotronic probes, instruments, transmitters, data loggers, indicators and sensors for the measurement of dew point, flow, air velocity, process pressure, carbon dioxide and temperature. Click an icon for further information.

Low Dew Point

Flow & Air Velocity

Process Pressure

Carbon Dioxide

Temperature

More Rotronic reading

Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX – Hazardous Area ATEX Certified Transmitters & Calibration Rigs For Self-contained Reliance

 

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ABOUT US

Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.

 

 

 

• By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 8 minutes

Thanks to David Wyshnia (Area Manager, Rotronic Instruments Ltd) for this Guest Blog about the need for hazardous area certified ATEX transmitters, including the Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX in potentially explosive environments.

The oil and gas industries are obvious examples of where potentially explosive environments exist, but other industries have their own set of hazardous area conditions that need to be monitored and controlled using ATEX transmitters – suitably certificated temperature and humidity measurement sensors.

Fine particulates from sugar beet processing, wood dust, pharmaceutical powders and vapours from paint spraying processes are also examples of where equipment, including products designed and manufactured for “own” use, are not excluded from the requirements of the ATEX Directive.

In the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) an explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire not burnt mixture.

Atmospheric conditions are commonly referred to as ambient temperatures and pressures.

That is to say temperatures of –20°C to 40°C and pressures of 0.8 to 1.1 bar.

The Swiss based company, Rotronic Instruments, have been manufacturing and supplying ATEX transmitters for hazardous area measurement of temperature and humidity levels for over 20 years.

The accuracy, durability and the reluctance of their probes to drift are seen as key attributes for companies who work in challenging conditions.

Rotronic’s new HygroFlex5-EX range of Wall and Duct mounted transmitters comply with all the current ATEX regulations. They have greatly simplified the installation and maintenance of ATEX equipment with galvanic separation and no need for an intrinsically safe power supply.  Their “Hot Swap” probes also significantly reduce line downtime when probes require calibration, enabling the user to attach a replacement sensor in seconds without having to unwire / rewire the transmitter.

ATEX EX II 2(1) G Ex eb mb [ia Ga] IIC T5 Gb

ATEX EX II 2(1) D Ex tb [ia Da] IIIC T80°C Db

Atex transmitters

Hazardous Area EX Certification – North America

• Class I, Div 1/2, Groups ABCD T5…T4,
  Class II, Div 1/2, Groups EFG T80°C…T110°C
  Ex e mb [ia Ga] IIC T5…T4 Ga/Gb
  Ex tb [ia Da] IIIC T80°C…T110°C Da/Db
  Class I, Zone 0/1, AEx e mb [ia Ga] IIC T5…T4 Ga/Gb
  Class II, Zone 20/21, AEx tb [ia Da] IIIC T80°C…T110°C Da/Db

All probes have a working range of -40°C…+85°C / 0…100 %rh. The aluminium housing of the transmitter (with display) -10°C…+60°C.

Humidity & Temperature Measurement

In Dust Hazard Zones 20, 21, 22

ATEX transmitters are certified for safe use in hazardous area industries affected by potentially explosive atmospheres – typical dust hazards include:

• Food Dust – colourings, chocolate, milk, flour, sugar, starch, cereal
• Plant Dust – wood, bark, cork cotton, paper
• Metal Dust – aluminium, magnesium, ferro alloys

Additional dust hazards from industrial processing include plastics, powder coatings, fertilisers, rubbers, elastomers, resins and synthetic adhesives – if in doubt about the specification or purchase of hazardous area transmitters or electrical products please contact T&D, we are Experts In Explosive Atmospheres.

Electrical Equipment For Hazardous Area Explosive Gas Atmospheres

IEC Standard	EN Standard	Contents
IEC 60079-0	EN 60079-0	General requirements for equipment for use in explosive atmospheres with the presence of gas and dust
IEC 60079-31	EN 60079-31	Explosion Protection by enclosures “t”
IEC 60079-2	EN 60079-2	Explosion Protection by pressurization “p”
IEC 60079-11	EN 60079-11	Explosion Protection by intrinsic safety “i”
IEC 60079-18	EN 60079-18	Explosion Protection by encapsulation “m”

 

Choice of SENSING Probes

There are a range of Rotronic probes available for the HygroFlex5-EX series to meet specific applications. Apart from the standard probe there are also cable probes with 2/5/10 metre cable lengths.

For processes that require humidity and temperature measurements under pressure the Rotronic HC2-IE-EX probe may be employed. Available with either ½”G or ½” NPT thread and with cable lengths of 2/5/10m the probe is pressure resistant to 100 bar / 1450 PSI.

 

 

 

 

Low Dew Point

To measure trace moisture in bodies such as gas pipes or compressed air systems the Rotronic HC2-LDP-EX provides highly accurate dew point and temperature measurement up to 100 bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagramatic layout for various hazardous area Zone applications

Islands of Self Sufficiency

Layered on top of the DSEAR regulations are a company’s individual practices and processes which determine how often process instrumentation needs to be calibrated.

In order to be self-sufficient, whether from a geographical or process driven perspective, many companies have also taken on board the Rotronic HygroGen2 humidity and temperature generator. The HygroGen2 sets a new standard in terms of portable calibration.

The generator is not exclusively for use with Rotronic probes. Many different manufacturers’ instruments can be calibrated by use of interchangeable diameter port sleeves, clear acrylic and even custom made doors. The user simply enters the required temperature and humidity set points to build a calibration profile.

The range of the Rotronic Hygrogen2 is:

0….60°C (-5….60°C with optional range extension)
5….95 %rh (2….99 %rh with optional range extension)

Temperature control stability at equilibrium is better than ± 0.02 °C whilst humidity control stability is better than 0.1 %RH. Full details are available on the Data Sheet.

Reducing Uncertainty in uncertain environments

At the very highest level of measurement such as National Standards Laboratories, MBW chilled mirror hygrometers are considered to be the most accurate, reliable and consistent humidity measurement technology available. They are a primary reference standard against which other sensors are calibrated.

As well as calibration laboratories, MBW chilled mirrors are used in oil and gas applications, chemistry laboratories and throughout meteorological, processing, manufacturing, engineering and storage industries across a dew/frost point range of -95°Cfp to +95°Cdp and pressures up to 200 bar.

Rotronic has worked closely with MBW, to integrate their products into the HygroGen2 portable temperature and humidity calibration system. Particularly well suited is the MBW 473 Dew Point Mirror, whose RP2 measuring head is designed to be directly inserted into the working volume of the Rotronic HygroGen2 chamber and work across its full range. Temperature and humidity probes from all manufacturers can be calibrated with typical expanded measurement uncertainty at ambient conditions of less than 0.7 %rh

More Rotronic Reading

 ➡ ATEX Certified Humidity & Temperature Sensors – Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX

 ➡ How Much Does It Cost If Your Production Capabilities Are Down For An Hour? 

 ➡ Rotronic HygroClip – Relative Humidity & Temperature Measurement Module Explained

Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX – Hazardous Area Temperature Measurement ATEX Zone 1.

Invitation – network, engage, promote

Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more. 

Rotronic sensors, instruments and transmitters measure humidity, moisture, CO2 and temperature sensors and transmitters.

Rotronic Sensors and instruments for used in diverse industries : transmitters, data loggers, indicators, probes, sensors and humidity generators for the measurement and calibration of relative humidity, dew point, carbon dioxide, water activity and other humidity parameters.

T&D, the leading Distributor of Process Heating, Instrumentation & Measurement products and distributor for Rotronic have produced this informative article for quality control, production and plant maintenance engineers.

In this Guest Blog Post by David Wyshnia (Area Manager, Rotronic Instruments (UK) Ltd), we discuss measures that can be employed to prevent the economic damage inflicted on production processes resultant from plant downtime caused by failure in-house to measure or control humidity levels.

But let us start by providing context to the issue of humidity measurement using the following Rotronic video.

Video by Rotronic : How is humidity created? What is relative humidity? How is relative humidity measured? Why is humidity measured?

Rotronic Sensors

Watch, Listen and Learn as Rotronic the leading manufacturer of humidity measurement sensors explain.

Rotronic Sensors – Humidity Calculator

So a little about my background which will serve to outline the context in which this Blog is written.

I served a Technical Apprenticeship at GKN – our part of the group made Prop Shafts and Constant Velocity Joints – basically the bits that join the car / lorry engine to the wheels to make them go round. Having been placed on the GKN Management Scheme, I spent protracted periods of time as a Projects Engineer, R&D Engineer, Laboratory Technician and Prototypes Engineer. Laterly, I held three posts with conflicting characteristics ; Quality Control Engineer, Maintenance Manager and Production Manager.

The common denominator between all three being the dreaded DOWNTIME!

Any Maintenance or Production Managers reading this will be only too aware of the World of Hurt in which they co-exist when public enemy number one DOWNTIME rears its costly head.

WOW! Industry experts estimate that downtime can cost a #manufacturer as much as $1 million per hour in lost revenue http://t.co/WEgp9GU6cs

— Remke Industries (@RemkeIndustries) March 10, 2013

Any Quality Control Managers reading this will no doubt grimace at the remembrance of a stopped line due to quality issues and also the expanded implications that can imply!

Pictured : Plant Engineers benefit from Rotronic Sensors. Key industries include Agrochemical, Chemical, Food, Paint, Paper, Plastics, Rubber and Autmotive.

So, winding the clock forward (many years!) I now find myself, often fascinated, on customer sites advising on solutions to their application needs. Whilst Rotronic can proudly boast the most accurate probes on the market today (a detail that is endorsed by the fact that the National Physical Laboratory – the people who maintain Standards – uses Rotronic instrumentation across the site) we often overlook the business practicalities of using Rotronic products in the ever increasing drive to reduce downtime and increase productivity.

Picking just two Rotronic products ; the hazardous location ATEX certified Rotronic HygroFlex5 and HygroFlex8 series of temperature, humidity and moisture measurement transmitters and the Rotronic HP23-A handheld instrument I can see a myriad of possibilities for improving quality and reducing plant down time.

Rotronic HygroFlex5 & HygroFlex8

Humidity Sensors – Benefits

• Rotronic HygroFlex transmitters need only be wired once
• Useful local display and digital and analogue output conduit for probes
• Analogue output is easily selectable and scalable using HW4 software

Rotronic HygroFlex5 Transmitter

Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX – Hazardous Area Temperature Measurement ATEX Zone 1.

Rotronic HP23-A handheld is an engineer’s box of magic tricks. With twin ports for interchangeable probes selected for the application, it can be used to measure humidity (or a moisture value like dew point) and temperature to a high degree of accuracy on either one port or maybe the ‘In’ and ‘Out’ conditions of a process using two attached probes on extension cables. In addition the Rotronic HygroPalm HP23-A can be used for ad-hoc logging of conditions, as a calibration device for probes and a data capture device both for continuous logging or to record spot measurements in up to eight areas saved in separate memory ‘bins’.

Typical users and applications : mobile applications in HVAC, pharmaceutical industry, building management systems(BMS), museums and warehouses.

Rotronic HP23-A is used routinely to measure humidity and temperature but also calculates all psychrometric parameters. The humidity and temperature measurement results can be recorded continuously and these separated simply using the batch function.

With my engineer’s hat on I think this is a cracking little tool that is often overlooked or under-utilised.

Rotronic HP23-A Humidity & Temperature Measurement Instrument

Rotronics – Benefits, Benefits, Benefits……………

Benefits for Quality Control Engineers

• Calibration and adjustment capability against a known %RH standard
• Reduce the need for the time consuming calibration using salts – simply calibrate one probe then compare and adjust (if necessary using the second probe port of the HP23-A
• Confirm confidence in measurement at critical control points
• The ability to have probes UKAS calibrated or adjusted (where required) without stopping the production flow
• Ad-hoc logging capability to monitor environmental conditions and download results in Excel for audit purposes
• Measure ‘In’ and ‘Out’ conditions of a process using Rotronic sensors

Benefits for Production Engineers

• Eliminate downtime and costs due to probe calibration/ servicing needs
• No need to wait for a suitably qualified maintenance engineer to un-wire / re-wire the transmitter, the probe can be swapped out in seconds by production personnel
• Easy to install with a range of probe options to suit each application
• Ability to set known %rh / °C values on probes to verify downstream measurements or tune controller outputs
• One transmitter type can be used with a wide range of application probes, securing your original investment for many years to come
• Each probe and transmitter comes with a two year warranty; an indication of the quality of our product range on which you will rely

Benefits for Maintenance Engineers

• No need to unwire / re-wire transmitters, just screw replacement probe on.  Saves valuable time enabling you to move onto other, more critical work
• Simple to use
• Flexible in application
• Range of probes available for ease of access to working areas
• Ability to record “as found” conditions at failure points

Oh, and did I mention the industry leading accuracy of Rotronic probes?
Engineers interested to learn and discover more information about the Rotronic sensors can read Rotronic Humidity News.

In a future Guest Blog post David Wyshnia (Area Manager, Rotronic) will discuss the precise levels of accurate humidity and temperature measurement provided by Rotronic humidity sensors.