Balluff has introduced its new Micropulse TA12, a non-contact linear position sensor with a compact, explosion proof housing. The TA12 is specifically designed for continuous feedback on hydraulically and pneumatically actuated valves for oil and gas refining, storage, transport, and handling.
The magnetostrictive sensor is designed for both extended duty and quick replacement – key attributes in the busy energy sector. To meet global approval requirements for use in hazardous locations, the Micropulse TA12 series offers the widest range of hazardous location explosion proof and flameproof certifications available including FM & CSA Class 1, Div. 1, Groups A, B, C, D and Class 1, Zone 1 AEx d IIC, plus CENELEC EEx d IIC and ATEX Ex II 1/2 GD. Extended high temperature ratings for all applications are classified up to T6 @ Ta=75°C and T5 @ Ta=85°C.
Non-contact, wear-free magnetostrictive technology ensures long life and MTBF for maximum production uptime. In the rare instance where the unit does require service, the TA12 incorporates its electronics and sensing hardware in a Rapid Replacement Module (RRM) that allows fast field repairs by the customer.
With the RRM, there is no need to break the hydraulic seal. This eliminates fluid spillage and the need to bleed air from the hydraulic system after repair. The Balluff Rapid Replacement Module allows a user to get production up and running quickly in the unlikely event repair is ever necessary.
The internal wiring space in the unit has been substantially increased so that the replacement module can be disconnected and removed without having to pull the power and signal cabling out of the transducer. This saves significant repair time by eliminating the need to disassemble the rigid or flexible conduit connections to pull back the wiring.
The TA12 maintains the circular six-bolt mounting pattern and overall housing dimensions of the previous generation product from Balluff, ensuring easy backward compatibility with existing installations.
Additionally, the new Micropulse TA12 offers a greatly expanded array of control signal interface options, including analogue voltage and current, start/stop pulse digital, synchronous serial digital, digital quadrature, and digital field buses such as Profibus and CANbus.
On all analogue voltage and current versions, the linear stroke range and the location of the zero and span points can be user-adjusted in the field using a simple, two-button, removable programming
This feature allows the unit, once installed, to be quickly fine-tuned to the exact requirements of the application without the need for delicate screwdriver-adjusted zero and span potentiometers.