Control System World

AUSTIN, Texas, January 24, 2012 – The Fieldbus Foundation today announced that its 2012 General Assembly would be held on March 6-8 in São Paulo, Brazil. Planned for the Sheraton São Paulo WTC Hotel, this key automation industry event will attract the world's leading suppliers and end users of FOUNDATION™ fieldbus.

The 2012 General Assembly, themed, "In a World of Choices, FOUNDATION™ Brings it all Together," will include a comprehensive, end user-oriented agenda consisting of fieldbus project case studies and tabletop exhibitions from leading automation vendors across the globe, as well as a demonstration of the new FOUNDATION for Remote Operations Management technology.

The Fieldbus Foundation's End User Advisory Council (EUAC) will meet Tuesday, March 6, to discuss and offer direction for FOUNDATION technology. Wednesday, March 7, will feature a keynote address by a prominent executive from the Brazilian industrial sector, FOUNDATION technology updates, and presentations by key process end users, followed by a networking reception. On Thursday, March 8, the Fieldbus Foundation will conduct its annual business meeting for members.

According to Fieldbus Foundation President and CEO Rich Timoney, São Paulo was selected as the site of this year's General Assembly due to its status as one of the world's fastest growing industrial regions, and the overwhelming demand for FOUNDATION technology within the area. He said, "Brazil has been experiencing rapid growth in automation projects utilizing FOUNDATION technology and is arguably the central hub of the process automation industry in all of Latin America. Petrobras, Brazil's largest oil producer, has been integrating FOUNDATION fieldbus into their plants for some time, and is in the midst of a large expansion project utilizing the technology."

When specifying valves for a given application, it is important to first determine the intended function. This may seem a rather obvious observation, but, unfortunately, a lack of functional understanding is often where valve performance issues begin. The user, rather than fully considering the application in which the valve will operate, moves forward on a purchase, only to find later on that the valve isn’t all that well suited to meet the needs of the job it is being asked to do.

'Considering Valve Specification & Installation' by ASCO Valves

PROTEK Series enclosures are designed to provide protection, support, thermal management and easy access to rack-mounted, 19-inch panel and other sensitive electronics. Available in a wide selection of sizes, materials and configurations, these versatile enclosures provide solutions for the emerging trend toward intermediate distribution frame (IDF) networks and point-of-operation industrial component applications.

PROTEK enclosures deliver solutions for applications where space constraints or aesthetics demand wall mounting to solve the application requirements. Standard models include a variety of sizes as well as single- and double-hinged door configurations. Single-door cabinets offer a cost-effective solution for protecting, securing and cooling a host of equipment, while double-hinged door cabinets facilitate front and rear access, reducing time to install and connect system components. Additionally, these models allow simple and speedy access for maintenance and upgrades. Models are UL and CSA Listed and available with solid or window doors, providing complete protection and a visual monitoring option.

For further reading please click 'Hoffman Expanded Line of PROTEK™ Series Wall-Mount Cabinets Offers Rugged Protection'

Data-Linc Group’s wireless, license-free SRM6030 Serial Modem offers superior reliability, versatility and performance for wireless serial transmission. It offers an unsurpassed rated range of up to 25 miles (40 km) and an installed range of up to 35 miles (56 km) with line-of-sight and omni directional antennas, farther with Repeaters and/ or higher gain antennas. The SRM6030 is the next generation of the proven SRM6000 serial modem, and is fully backward compatible.

Features

- License-free wireless— operates in the 902-928 MHz ISM (industrial/scientific/medical) band

- Din mount optional

- RS232/RS485 data port

- Range of up to 25 miles (40 km) and in- stalled range of up to 35 miles (56 km) with line-of-sight and an omni directional an- tenna—farther with Repeaters or higher gain antennas

- Full DB9 connector for disagnostics and data

- LincViewTM RF network diagnostic software included

- Up to 256 bit AES Encryption

- Employs Smart SpectrumTM frequency hop- ping technolaogy for maximum data integrity — even in high noise environments

- Factory or field configured for your applica- tion, ensuring trouble-free installation

- Operates as Master, Remote, Repeater or Repeater/Remote mode

- User adjustable hop patterns and frequency zones for refined operation of close proximity networks.

To read completely about this product please click 'SRM6030 Wireless Serial Radio Modem 902-928 MHz'

SAN ANTONIO — Jan. 24, 2012 — The Microsoft/OSIsoft Worldwide Utility Industry Survey 2012, released today at the DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition, shows a 25 percent increase over last year in the number of utilities companies that have implemented smart-grid technology. The survey also shows that 28 percent of companies surveyed are in the planning phase, but 24 percent still have not started adopting any smart-grid technology. However, 63 percent of participants expect their budgets for these technologies to increase over the next two or three years.

The survey, which was a collaboration between Microsoft Corp. and OSIsoft LLC, polled 216 professionals within electric, gas and water utility industries around the world and highlights the challenges utilities face as they move from planning to actual smart-grid implementation. Nearly 20 percent of those surveyed said technical issues kept them from moving forward, which was a larger group than in last year’s survey.

“This year’s survey shows that more and more utilities companies are adding new devices to the grid and incorporating new data sets into their operational capabilities,” said Jon C. Arnold, managing director for the Worldwide Power and Utilities Industry at Microsoft and a member of the Smart Grid Advisory Committee to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. “However, many of these same organizations are encountering significant interoperability and integration challenges. Leveraging technology and architectures that are adaptable removes many of the technology risks. Fortunately, the Microsoft Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA) provides an infrastructure that protects current technology investments while enabling the implementation of forward-thinking smart-grid solutions.”

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a great cost-saving alternative to traditional telephone service that enables voice data to be transported over IP networks, like the Internet, instead of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a cellular network.

Because VoIP is inexpensive, has a worldwide reach, and operates on a few simple principles, it’s exploded in popularity in recent years—especially among both small and large businesses that incur significant long-distance telephone expenses. However, it’s not all fun and free calls. Below are six things to consider when you’re deciding whether or not to invest in VoIP.

Continue reading this technical guide by Black Box

De-tronics: When used in harsh outdoor conditions, devices that promote life safety and continuous operations should have an ingress protection IP66/67 rating. Gas detectors should have such a rating — especially for onshore and offshore applications in the petrochemical, oil and gas industry.

An IP66 or IP67 rating is achieved as a result of robust design that protects the gas detector against dust and forceful water during operation. Specifically, IP66 means the device is dust proof and protected from strong water jets. IP67 means the device is dust proof and continues proper operation after temporary immersion in water one meter deep for 30 minutes.

Det-Tronics NTMOS hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas detector has earned global approval for use in locations that require an ingress protection rating of IP66/67.

The new certification joins the list of other previously obtained approvals and certifications for the NTMOS H2S gas detector, including CE, CSA, ATEX, IECEx, FM tested and certified to ISA-92.0.01.

In addition to multiple certifications, the NTMOS boasts a life-saving, speed-of-response performance that detects H2S in six seconds (T20) and delivers a proper detection solution in challenging environments where electrochemical sensing technologies are not preferred.

Tokyo, January 23, 2012 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced that it has acquired the Messung Group, a manufacturer of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human machine interfaces (HMIs) and one of Mitsubishi Electric's sales and distribution partners in India. The acquisition will allow Mitsubishi Electric to accelerate its industrial automation systems business in India and strengthen local sales and solutions, aiming at sales of JPY 15 billion by the fiscal year ending March 2016.

The Messung Group, which has partnered Mitsubishi Electric for some 15 years, will be merged with Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd. A business transfer agreement signed by Mitsubishi Electric and the Messung Group in December 2011 is expected to be completed by the end of March 2012 to finalize the acquisition. Operations of the consolidated business will commence in April.

The industrial automation market in India is expected to grow by more than 10% annually, driven by increasing demand in the automotive, textile, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries. The Messung Group has built strong relationships in these industries by providing technical support and solutions to industrial automation equipment manufacturers.