Author: Scott Hackett

Can you use heat trace on PVC pipe?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

Trace heating cable can be used on pipes made of plastic, but it’s important to take into account the plastic’s durability and thermal properties first. Plastic is 125 times more resistant to heat than steel, but it is also more vulnerable to damage from high temperatures. The key thing when heating plastic pipes is to use a lower temperature and spread it out as evenly as you can, so all the heat isn’t focused in one place.

It is always beneficial to use electric trace heating products that have an automatic thermostat and control, but this is particularly the case when using heat trace on PVC pipe. An automatic heat trace control can check and control the temperature of the system, alert you to any problems, and turn off the heat cable to avoid any damage.

There is heat cable on the market that is specifically designed for use with plastic pipes, thanks to it being self-regulating and having a limited wattage. Self-regulating heat cables include a conductive core in the middle of two bus wires that become increase in conductivity when they’re cold. This system adds more power to the cold spots and limits it in the warmer parts, which creates a more even heat source.

The manufacturer of the plastic pipe should be able to give you more information regarding the maximum temperature it can withstand and how close the heat cable can be spaced or wrapped onto the pipe to avoid any deterioration. Certain applications might need heat cable to be added to opposite ends of the pipe at a lower temperature to spread the heat more evenly, and to prevent one direct area of focused heat which could seriously impact the pipe.

It is recommended that you put in place a foil material between the pipe and heat cable to stop any direct contact and help to offer better distributed and even heating. If you go down this route, put the heat trace control thermostat directly onto the pipe with no foil over the top of it or between it and the pipe to help achieve a more accurate temperature reading.

To answer the overarching question of this article, yes you can use heat cable on plastic pipes as long as you take care and follow the precautions. These include understanding your pipe’s thermal capabilities, choosing a self-regulating, low wattage heat cable, and using an automatic heat trace control with safety functions. By following these guidelines, you can avoid damaging your heat trace system and extend its lifespan.

How can TRM help?

If you’re looking for help with trace heating UK, our team at TRM can help. As professional and experienced trace heating suppliers, we can explain how an effective trace heating system is used to compensate for heat loss, using an electrical heating part, which is put in physical contact with the surface of pipelines, vessel, tanks, etc.

This will help to ensure your manufacturing is working as it should be by maintaining or increasing temperatures where needed. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your trace heating and general temperature management in your operations.

What is an RTD sensor?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

If you need to know what an RTD sensor is to potentially use in your operations, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be covering not only what the sensor is, but also how it works, how to test it, and everything else you might need to be aware of when it comes to this type of sensor. 

So, what exactly is an RTD sensor? 

RTD stands for Resistance Temperature Detector, and it refers to a sensor that can change its resistance when the temperature of it changes, and it is used to measure temperature as well. The resistance of the RTD sensor goes up in line with when the temperature increases. A lot of RTDs are known as wire wound and they are made up of fine wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core. 

The wire itself is typically made of platinum. RTD elements sit inside a protective probe in order to protect them from the environment they are used in and to make them more durable. Cheaper RTDs are known as thin film RTDs. They have a ceramic base with a fine platinum track placed on it. 

How does a resistance thermometer work? 

As previously mentioned, an RTD includes a resistance element and insulated wires made from platinum. In some cases, RTDs can have three or four wires to make for high accuracy and allow any errors relating to connection lead resistance to be eliminated. The resistance element is made from platinum because it is very durable and stable for longer periods and it has a linear connection between temperature and resistance, a broad temperature range, and a chemical inertness. 

In terms of its function, the RTD works on a basic principle, measuring the resistance of a metal to the flow of electricity. The higher the temperature of the metal, the higher the resistance. An electrical current passes through the sensor and the resistance element measures the resistance of the current passing through it. As the temperature of the resistance of the resistance element goes up the electrical resistance increases too. 

Electrical resistance is measured in Ohms. So, when it is measured the resistance value can then be swapped into temperature depending on the characteristics of the element. Normally, the response time for an RTD is between 0.5 and 5 seconds, making them well-suited to a wide variety of applications. 

How to test an RTD sensor 

To test your RTD heat trace sensor you should first set your multimeter to a resistance mode. Next, check the readings across the terminals of the RTD, at room temperature the reading should be about 110 ohms. Remember that the reading value could be different, depending on the temperature of the room.  

Lastly, put the RTD temperature sensor into ice water, checking the readings again after it has been in the water for a few minutes. You should now have a lower number than the room temperature reading (it should be roughly 100 ohms). 

What’s the difference between an RTD sensor and a thermocouple? 

There are several differences between RTD sensors and thermocouples. We’re going to outline the most important ones for you below. 

  • Thermocouples are typically smaller than RTDs, making them easier to use. 
  • Thermocouples have a wider temperature range of operation than RTDs (-200 to 2000C), in comparison to -200 to 600C. Therefore, thermocouples are suited to a longer list of applications. 
  • Thermocouples have a response time of between 0.1 and 10 seconds, which is quicker than RTD response times. 
  • RTDs runs the risk of self-heating, whereas this is only a negligible problem with thermocouples. 
  • Thermocouples are more sensitive than RTD sensors due to their faster reactions with variation in temperature. 
  • The relationship between resistance and temperature isn’t linear with thermocouples like it is with RTDs. 

 Conclusion 

For certain applications, an RTD sensor can be extremely useful in temperature measurement, but for others a thermocouple might be the better option. Contact TRM today to discuss your needs and our specialist team will be able to advise and provide you with a bespoke solution that meets the exact requirements of your operation. 

How to improve temperature measurement response time

Posted on by Scott Hackett

When it comes to the four main process variables (flow, level, pressure, and temperature), temperature is the only one that can’t recognise and measure a sudden change relatively quickly. A quick movement in one of the other variables can be detected through instrumentation within a few seconds, but an increase or drop in temperature can take a while to completely quantify. 

For most, this is just a fact of life, we recognise and live with the characteristic, as temperature doesn’t typically change very fast anyway. However, there are some situations where the lag can cause big problems, such as industrial temperature measurement. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to improve the response time of temperature measurement, which we’ll be looking at in this article. 

First, why is there a lag in temperature measurement response times?

The two main methods of electronic temperature measurement are resistance (RTD sensor and thermistor) and voltage (thermocouple). In both approaches the value is shown at the top of the sensor, which might or might not be exactly equal to the process media temperature. Ensuring an accurate measurement depends on bringing the sensing element to the same temperature as the process media. This may sound like a fairly easy problem to solve, but it can actually be difficult in terms of actual applications. 

Using infrared to measure optically is pretty much instantaneous; however, it does come with serious limitations when measuring the temperature of gas or liquid (the most common types of process media). Infrared can be useful for several things, but for the majority of process temperature measurement applications, its applicability is limited, so we will be ignoring it for this article. 

A sensing element is normally enclosed in a stainless steel (sometimes platinum) sheath around 0.25 inches in diameter. The length can vary but the diameter is often this or smaller. The protective sheath is especially important for RTDs because of the delicacy of the sensing element. Thermocouples can come as naked wires without a sheath, but this is more of an exception than a rule. 

Heat from the process needs to be transferred through the sheath and packed inside it to reach the sensor, whatever the insulation might be, which causes the delay. Stainless steel is one of the most versatile alloys to be created, but it has one big drawback: it’s a poor conductor of heat. However, its many advantages outweigh this shortfall, making it the main material used for temperature sensor sheaths. 

The alloy determines the thermal conductivity value of a sheath, but the time it takes to reach the sensor is influenced by its size and thickness. The more material there is the longer it takes for the heat to move through the sheath wall to the sensor. As mentioned above, within the sheath the sensor is encased in an insulating material to protect it electrically and physically. So, the heat coming through the sheath also must heat the insulation before it gets to the sensor itself. 

Temperature difference is also a key factor as the greater the difference, the quicker the heat transfer. The rate of change slows when the measured and actual temperature gets closer to equilibrium. 

Getting past another layer 

There’s another big complication: a sensor is not usually inserted into the process by itself. In some real-world applications, it can happen, but for the most part, a sheathed sensor is inserted into a thermowell, which is then added into the process. The thermowell is part of the containment process and enables the sensor to be removed if needed without shutting it down. 

This has advantages, but it adds another layer of metal, through which the heat has to pass through to reach the sensor. 

Also, there is space between the inside of the thermowell and the sensor sheath, reducing the physical contact between the sensor and the process media. The inside of the thermowell effectively becomes and oven and a lot of the heat transfer needs to be by air instead of direct metal-to-metal contact. 

How to improve response time 

So far, we have looked at all the causes of slow response time, but what can you do to improve it? Firstly, you can improve the contact between the sensor sheath and thermowell. Check that the sensor is completely inserted into the thermowell, it’s quick and easy to fix if it isn’t. In some cases, sensors can be spring-loaded to keep the tip securely up against the end of the thermowell. 

Look for interior debris and internal deposits in the thermowell. Thermowells are not always made from stainless steel and more reactive alloys sometimes corrode, forming internal insulation, you need to clean out any debris. 

Confirm that the sensor sheath is the right size for the thermowell. The fit should be as close as possible to maximise contact, but if the thermowell bends or has debris inside, it can be tempting to compensate by using an undersized sensor. 

Add a little bit of silicone oil to the thermowell to help arrange heat transfer, as long as all the debris is cleared out and the installation is in the correct place to stop it leaking out. This reduces the effect of any internal air gap. Next, look at more involved solutions that are able to lower the amount of metal between the sensor and process. It’s not really possible to change the sheath itself, so this relates mostly to the thermowell. 

Use the thinnest thermowell you can. You need to be careful doing this as it’s part of the containment process, but if the thermowell isn’t in a moving fluid stream and is quite short, don’t make it any thicker than is required. Change the profile of the thermowell. If you’re worried about structural integrity because of fluid flow, a stepped or tapered thermowell could be an option. 

Conclusion 

If these alterations aren’t enough to reduce the response time, more severe measures could be needed. These might include changing the location of the sensor, adding more sensors, or rethinking the temperature strategy regulation overall. Thankfully, no matter the approach, the range of temperature measurement options can offer a workable solution. Contact TRM today to discuss your industrial temperature measurement needs. 

How accurate are infrared thermometers and how are they used?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

The main use of infrared (IR) thermometers is to measure temperature across various industrial and clinical environments. They are contact-free temperature measurement devices that perform especially well in situations where the object to be measured is fragile and dangerous to get close to, or when it’s not practical to use other types of thermometers. 

A key thing to note about infrared thermometers is that they use the concept of infrared radiation to gauge the surface temperature of objects without any physical contact. In this article, we’ll be looking in more depth at exactly how accurate infrared thermometers are and what you need to consider when selecting one. 

How does an infrared thermometer work? 

In a similar way to visible light, it is also possible to reflect, focus, or absorb infrared light. An infrared thermometer will use a lens to focus the infrared light coming from the object onto a detector called a thermopile. The thermopile is simply a few thermocouples connected in series or parallel. 

When the infrared radiation hits the thermopile surface it is absorbed and changed into heat. Voltage output is created in proportion to the incident infrared energy. The detector uses the output to work out the temperature, which is then shown on the screen. 

This might sound like a complex process but when put into practice, it only takes the thermometer a few seconds to record the temperature and display it in your chosen unit. 

How to get the most accurate results from an infrared thermometer 

There has been widespread discussion regarding the accuracy of infrared thermometers. To make sure that you get the most accurate results, we have put together some quick tips to help with your quality control. 

  • Check that you know your thermometer’s distance-to-spot ratio (D/S ratio) and get close enough to the target so that it only checks the area you want it to measure. 
  • Keep in mind that dust and steam can impact the accuracy of infrared thermometers. 
  • Ensure your thermometer lens is clean and free of any scratches that could alter the results. 
  • Look out and account for shiny, “low emissivity” objects when using your thermometer. 
  • Allow enough time for your thermometer to accurately adjust to the temperature of its surroundings. 

What do you need to consider when choosing an infrared thermometer? 

Accuracy 

As we’ve just been looking at above, the most important part of any thermometer is how accurate it is. The accuracy of infrared thermometers is based on the D/S ratio. This ratio shows the maximum distance from where the thermometer can measure a certain surface area. 

For instance, if you are measuring the surface temperature of a 4-inch area with an infrared thermometer that has a D/S ratio of 8:1, the furthest distance from where you could get an accurate reading of the temperature will be 32 inches (8:1 x 4). Therefore, the bigger the ratios the further the distance you can measure the temperature from. However, when the distance is increased so too will the surface area. 

Emissivity 

The emissivity of an infrared thermometer is how much energy it can put out at any given time. IR thermometers that have emissivity closer to 1.00 can measure more materials than those with a lower emissivity value. It will be beneficial to choose a thermometer that comes with an adjustable emissivity level to slightly alter the amount of energy emitted and make up for the energy reflected by the material in consideration for measuring temperature. 

 Temperature range 

An IR thermometer’s temperature range influences the work you can do with it. You might want to get a thermometer with a broad temperature range to capture different processes with different temperatures. On the other hand, a thermometer with a narrower temperature range is advantageous in cases where high resolutions are needed to ensure the proper temperature control of a specific process. 

Reading speed 

Reading speed is the time the thermometer takes to provide a clear and accurate reading after going through its reading process. This element is key when measuring the temperature of a moving object, or in situations where the objects are quick to warm up. 

Design 

When it comes to industrial temperature measurement, an IR thermometer should have a rugged design to get an accurate measurement. For example, no-lens and Fresnel lens thermometers are more durable thanks to their polymer structure, which is very effective in protecting them. By contrast, Mica lens thermometers require a more durable shell and a carrying case included in their design to stop the lens from cracking. 

Conclusion 

Infrared thermometers are invaluable for use whilst reading the temperature of a surface that is too difficult, dangerous, and practically impossible to reach. When positioned and used correctly they can be highly accurate and effective in their results as well as quick and easy to use. However, prior to choosing an infrared thermometer, it’s advisable to determine the temperature range of your application. If you need help with industrial temperature measurement in your operations, contact TRM today. 

  

Advantages of mineral wool insulation

Posted on by Scott Hackett

Mineral wool is often used as an insulation material because of its helpful properties, such as being affordable and easy to handle. There are two types of mineral wool, rock, and glass. They are made from slightly different materials and whilst they’re fairly similar and are often used interchangeably in certain applications, there are other situations where one will work better than the other.  

In this guide, we’ll be looking at the key advantages of mineral wool insulation in relation to high-temperature measurement, so you know how it can work for your operations. 

Firstly, what is mineral wool insulation? 

Mineral wool includes spun yarn that is made of melted glass or stone. The threads are combined in a specific way to create a woolly structure. Then the wool is pushed down into boards or mineral wool batts that function as insulation material.  

Loose wool can particularly be blown in hollow spaces like cavity walls. It is a popular product that can be used for: 

  • Insulating walls (with a timber frame construction) 
  • Insulating cavity walls and exterior walls 
  • Thermal and acoustic insulation of partition walls and storey floors 
  • Insulating attic floors 
  • Insulating pitched roofs and flat roofs 
  • Multiple industrial applications (such as machines, air conditioners, etc) 

What are the advantages of mineral wool insulation?

Good thermal insulation

Mineral wool has an open fibre structure which means it can hold a large amount of air, making it a great insulator for regulating heat. The lambda value of this type of insulation is 0.03 W/mK to 0.04 W/mK, so both rock and glass wool insulation is not susceptible to thermal degradation. Therefore, it will maintain the same level of insulation over the lifetime of the building. Also, mineral wool insulation is stable, meaning it doesn’t expand or shrink. This keeps the joints between the material closed and thermal bridges to a minimum. 

Fire safety

Mineral wool insulation is fully resistant to fire and doesn’t conduct heat, meaning it’s ideal for use in environments that put high demands on fire safety and industrial temperature measurement. Therefore, it is most commonly used in fire-retardant products such as partition walls, fireproof doors, ceilings, and protective clothing. 

High levels of fire safety are an essential requirement for insurance companies in any type of building, and the use of fireproof insulations can in some cases be compulsory. When it comes to fire safety, mineral wool insulation is classified under Euro Class A and has the best score of all insulation materials, which is great for high temperature applications. 

Impressive soundproofing

Mineral wool insulation is effective against noise pollution due to its structure and composition. There are also special acoustic tiles for ceilings, walls, and floors that absorb sound waves, making them very useful in both industrial and consumer applications. 

For the latter, rock wool blankets are typically used in walls, floors, and ceilings. In the case of false or partition walls, a combination of plasterboard and mineral wool is often a good idea for absorbing sound waves. The frames need to be acoustically separated as much as possible to prevent contact bridges between the boards. 

Other benefits of mineral wool insulation include it’s less expensive than other materials, it doesn’t absorb moisture, so it is immune to mould, it is fully recyclable, and it has a minimal ecological footprint. It also has a wide range of applications. 

What’s the difference between glass wool and rock wool? 

As previously mentioned, both glass and rock wool are very similar insulation materials. The main difference between them relates to the fibre structure. The fibres in rock (or stone) wool are shorter than glass wool, so as a result rock wool has a higher density.  

Rock wool can withstand a higher pressure than glass wool. You can see the key differences between the two types of wool in the table below. 

Rock wool  Glass wool 
Shorter fibres  Long fibres 
High density  Lower density 
Lambda value 0.032-0.044 W/mK  Lambda value 0.035-0.039 W/mK 
Slightly lower fire resistance  High fire resistance 
High elasticity  Low elasticity 
High tensile strength  Low tensile strength 
Melting temp 700C  Melting temp 1000C 

Conclusion 

Mineral wool insulation has many advantages that make it an important part of thermal resources management. Contact our team today to discuss your heat trace and temperature measurement needs. 

What are small modular reactors?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

What are small modular reactors?

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are part of today’s advanced nuclear technology that is made to be more environmentally friendly within the nuclear power sector. They are power generators with an output that is around one-third of what standard nuclear power reactors can produce (approximately 300 MW(e)). SMRs are designed to offer enhanced levels of safety and produce large amounts of low-carbon electricity. The key features of SMRs are:

  • Small- in terms of physical size, they’re a fraction of a traditional nuclear power reactor.
  • Modular- allows systems and elements to be factory-built and moved as a complete unit to a location ready to be installed. This minimises costs, improves quality, and reduces construction schedules.
  • Reactors- they use nuclear fission to create heat and produce energy.

Together with bigger, conventional reactors, and other advanced reactors, small modular reactors are growing nuclear energy portfolio options that are necessary to meet our national standards of energy safety and mitigating climate change.

What are the benefits of SMRs?

Several of the benefits of SMR technology are linked to the foundation of their small and modular design. Thanks to their smaller footprint, they can be installed in locations that wouldn’t be suitable for bigger nuclear power plants. Prefabricated units of small modular reactors can be made, shipped, and fitted on site, meaning they’re more affordable to construct than large power reactors and with the addition of mineral insulated cable, they’re safe from hazards.

Small modular reactors are typically custom designed for a specific location, which can sometimes cause delays in construction. SMRs ensure savings in both construction time and cost, and they can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand.

Some of the difficulties of getting access to energy are infrastructure, restricted grid coverage in rural areas, and the expense of connecting to the grid in rural locations. One power plant shouldn’t represent any more than 10% of the total installed grid capacity.

In locations that don’t have suitable transmission lines and grid capacity, SMRs can be fitted into a grid that’s already there or remotely off-grid, for smaller electrical output, ensuring there is low-carbon power for both industry and the general population. This is especially applicable for microreactors, which are a subset of SMRs and generate electrical power up to 10MW(e).

Small modular reactors are better for the environment in comparison to other SMRs are best suited to areas that don’t have access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. In addition, microreactors could work as an alternative power supply in emergencies or take the place of generators that are usually run on diesel.

Compared to other reactors, SMR designs are typically less complex, and the safety concept makes use of passive systems and the natural safety characteristics of the reactor, including low power and operating pressure. So, in these cases, no human intervention or external power or force is needed to shut down the systems.

This is due to the fact that passive systems depend on physical actions like circulation, gravity, convection, and self-pressurisation. The improved safety margins and mineral insulated cable, in some cases, eliminate or substantially reduce the potential for dangerous releases of radioactivity into the environment and the public in the event of an accident.

Another benefit of small modular reactors in the nuclear industry is they have reduced fuel requirements. Therefore, power plants that are based on SMRs might need refuelling less often, every 3 to 7 years compared to every 1 to 2 years for standard plants. Some SMRs are even designed to function for up to 30 years without any need for adding fuel.

Sustainable development and the role of SMRs

Small modular reactors and nuclear power plants can offer distinctive attributes relating to efficiency, economics, and flexibility. Whilst nuclear reactors can output electricity according to demand, certain renewables like wind and solar are variable sources of energy that rely on the weather and time of day.

SMRs could work in tandem with and boost the effectiveness of renewable sources in a hybrid energy system. These features enable SMRs to play an important part in the transition to clean energy.

How do we help small modular reactor developers?

At TRM, we provide solutions to modular reactor developers globally with the aim of making sure our clients have the knowledge to design and implement the most suitable, cost-effective, and long-lasting products.

As experienced mineral insulated cable manufacturers this is often what our core products centre around. However, if we feel that it’s not the right fit for the application, we will use other technologies to achieve the desired outcome. Contact us today to find out more.

 

 

What is pipe heat tracing?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

What is pipe heat tracing?

Having a pipe heat trace system is essential for cold weather conditions when the liquid that flows through pipes tend to freeze. If freezing occurs within pipes, it can cause damage to the piping system as a whole. In serious cases, the build-up of pressure in pipes can result in cracks, or the pipes could even blow up, causing serious injuries to anyone near to the system. In this article, we’ll be going into detail on what pipe heat tracing is and how it is used.

What is pipe heat tracing?

Pipe heat tracing (also referred to as heat tracing) is often used to make sure fluid, process, or material temperatures within pipes and piping systems are kept above ambient temperatures during static flow conditions as well as offering additional freeze protection in specific applications.

You can design a customised heat trace system for certain applications by choosing the right type of industrial heat trace cable. Also, it’s possible to control the level of heat generation through these wires by altering the wattage of the heat trace cable to work with particular requirements for processing fluid.

How is pipe heat tracing used?

One of the most commonly used applications for electric industrial heat trace products is to avoid the freezing of pipes. Using self-regulating electric heat trace alongside an ambient temperature sensing system is the most cost-effective and efficient way to protect your pipes from freezing.

The system design for electric pipe heat tracing applications will be affected by several factors. These include pipe size/diameter, liquid temperature/heat loss, number of thermal heat sinks in the run (flanges/valves), and type of insulation. This will help to determine the right amount of power necessary for the applications so an efficient heat trace system can be designed and supplied.

The controls in these types of systems can be very complicated, as often they are process critical. In order to manage this effectively, various features can be designed into your system such as real-time temperature data, backup operations (in the event of a failure), system failure notifications, wireless connectivity, and more. Specific allowances need to be made for tracing water for safety showers and fire protection systems. Also, electric heating cable systems are typically used as backup systems when steam is used as the main source of freeze protection.

Maintaining temperature

Heat tracing can be used to maintain a steady temperature in pipes and tanks of any size and in a lot of different applications. Pipes that have thermal protection can keep liquid at a regular temperature whilst being moved to a different process through the pipes. As well as this they can lower tank heating expenses due to the incoming material not forming a thermal drag on the process.

Removable and reusable insulation jackets and blankets

Removable insulation provides cover for valves, flanges, and other fittings in industrial buildings. They are an effective, convenient, and cheaper solution to lowering heat loss and making your overall operations more efficient. Standard pipe and valve insulation line products are designed to fit various sizes, and can be used on pretty much any application that needs thermal processing such as:

  • Valves
  • Pumps
  • Filters and regulators
  • Pressure reducing valves
  • Strainers

As the cold weather starts closing in, it’s important to make sure you’ve got suitable pipe heat tracing in place to avoid frustrating and expensive problems should your pipes freeze over. Contact TRM today to discuss your heat trace needs. Our specialists are on hand to make sure you get industrial heat trace cables and an overall system that works for your operations.

How often should fire alarms be tested?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

The Regulatory Reform (or Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that where it is necessary (whether it’s because of the features of the building, the activity that is completed there, any present hazards, or any other relevant circumstances) it is legally required that a responsible person must make sure the premises are, to the suitable extent, equipped with working fire detectors and alarms, to ensure the safety of all relevant individuals on the premises.

Subsection three of the order says that the chosen person to implement and maintain these measures must be competent. However, a responsible person (or someone appointed by the responsible individual) can conduct testing of the fire alarm system after being trained to do so properly.

What are the different types of fire alarm systems?

There are two main types of fire alarms for commercial buildings, manual and automatic.

The manual fire alarm system needs someone to activate the alarm by a manual call point (outstation), which will register on the panel of the fire alarm. Outstations need to be situated on escape routes and fire exits, with extra outstations in areas at greater risk like commercial kitchens, laundries, and plant rooms.

An automatic fire alarm system is automatically activated by either detecting heat or a certain amount of smoke. It will also have the ability for a user to manually start the alarm near an outstation, which will register on the master station.

Fire alarm systems within commercial or business premises can come in two variants, conventional or addressable. A conventional system will see a detected fire (whether via an automatic detection system or manual activation at a call point) registered on the fire alarm control panel in one of the highlighted zones, for example, the ground floor, warehouse, or plant room, depending on how the system was designed and installed.

An addressable fire alarm system, where a fire is detected and registered on the control panel as a specific location or address within a zone. For example, through an automatic smoke detector in a boiler room on the ground floor, or a manual call point by the rear fire exit.

The type of fire alarm system you need for your premises should be determined and recorded in a current fire risk assessment. Also, to help reduce the risk of a fire in your premises, you should ensure you have fire resistant cable.

How often should a fire alarm be tested?

In section 25.2 of the relevant British Standard regarding testing fire alarm systems confirms that all fire alarm systems in commercial buildings are required to be tested weekly. This is to ensure that there hasn’t been any significant failure and the system is fully in working order.

To test the system, firstly you should create a list of all outstations within the premises as each one will need to be tested in a rotational order, making sure all locations are regularly tested. In smaller buildings, it’s acceptable to test only one location each week.

For instance, in a premises where there aren’t many outstations, they could all be tested over a period of two months in rotational order. In bigger commercial businesses, it might be more suitable to test two or three outstations each week, to guarantee all devices are tested over the same length of time. In the event of a fire in your building, fire proof cable can help buy you more time to ensure everyone gets out safely and there is less damage and downtime to your operations.

Do I need to be trained to test fire alarms?

Section 25.1 says that testing a fire alarm doesn’t need any specialist knowledge and can normally be conducted fairly easily. However, it might be preferable for a competent person to offer initial instruction in testing the system in order for this to be diligently carried out in the future.

The British Standard also states that fire alarm testing can usually be carried out by the occupier of the building. This could be the responsible person, or someone assigned by the responsible person, like a property manager. However, both will need basic instructions in how to do correctly do so.

Summary

Generally speaking, fire alarm systems should be tested on a weekly basis in commercial properties. As well as regularly testing your fire alarm, there are many things you can do to make sure your premises is as safe from fire as possible, including having fire retardant cable.

At TRM, we provide engineered solutions and products that help many industries with their temperature measurement, trace heating, and fireproof wiring with high quality fire cable. Contact us today to see how we can help your business operations.

How beneficial are thermocouple sensors in the automotive industry?

Posted on by Scott Hackett

The automotive industry can benefit significantly from a wide range of temperature measurement solutions including a thermocouple sensor, infrared camera, pyrometers, and temperature controllers. This broad range of products can all provide the best solution for all type of automotive needs. In this article, we’ll explore how useful a thermocouple and temperature related solutions are within the automotive industry, so you can gain a better understanding of how they could help you if your operations are in this sector.

Thermocouples and general automotive testing

In the automotive testing process, measuring the temperature of various components is key. When it comes to measuring thermocouples in brakes, a thermocouple wire bundle can quickly get to a stage where the diameter starts to affect the structural integrity.

To effectively deal with this issue, you could get an extra thin and highly accurate type K thermocouple cable. Our thermocouple wires at TRM allow high performance temperature measurements that are consistent and reliable. These thermocouples are designed to handle rigorous conditions, which makes them ideal for use in automotives.

Brake block and disc temperature measurement

A major application for temperature measurement technology in the automotive industry includes measuring the temperature of brake system elements. The surface temperature of the disc has a direct impact on braking performance, which is why temperature measurement systems are essential in the manufacture of efficient braking systems as well as for regular monitoring in the finished product.

The measuring system needs to be able to record the wide range of temperatures that can be found on a brake disc and pad. This is typically done by fitting thermocouples to the disc and pad, and using collector rings in the circuit. Optical measurement systems like thermal cameras and scanners, are also used during brake tests. Thermocouple systems are useful in determining surface pressure distribution within brake pads too.

Exhaust gas temperature measuring

A high-quality thermocouple probe with wide temperature ranges and low response times are very beneficial for applications where surface contact is required, such as for monitoring automotive exhaust temperature. Probes can come in all the common thermocouple types for various applications (K, T, and J).

Turbo chargers are an important part of modern engines, with high rotational speeds and their versatility in coming in different shapes and sizes, a turbo charger is a complex subsystem in itself. Shielding the turbo from excessive temperatures is vital as it is regularly exposed to the high temperature exhaust stream.

This means a reliable thermocouple sensor with a fast response will play an essential role in the control loop. An example of this is a mineral insulated thermocouple cable. It’s thin, strong, and durable enough to last the full lifetime of the car, without compromising on mechanical strength.

Simulated exhaust temperature measurement

Manufacturers are required to test all components to their limits during automotive testing to see how they perform in conditions they are likely to encounter during the service life of the vehicle. Many polymer components that are found in modern automobiles have gone through heat stress tests if they are within close proximity to a heat source.

For example, the bumper is positioned close to the engine exhaust gas, where temperatures can get very high. This means the bumper material needs to be tested to make sure that it’s not negatively affected by the higher temperature of the exhaust, leading to thermal degradation of the polymer, or potentially even a fire, in the worst case.

In this modern testing process, the exhaust system is exposed to simulated heat from a custom electrical heater. A number of thermocouples are recommended for this to measure the temperature at different heat-vulnerable stress points.

Usually, complete accuracy is not important to this application, so thermocouple wires are chosen to ensure the application is cost-effective. This will be helpful in saving money as these heat tests often involve monitoring a large quantity of thermocouples in the entire route of the exhaust system.

 

Contact TRM today for an expertly engineered solution to all your temperature measuring and thermocouple needs within the automotive industry.

Benefits of MI Cable

Posted on by Scott Hackett

What is mineral insulated cable?

Mineral insulated cable (MI) is a specialist type of cable that is designed to be used in high temperatures and severe environmental conditions because it’s not flammable, so it won’t be damaged by heat.

MI cable is generally made up of copper conductor wires inside a sheath that can be made of copper, stainless steel, or Inconel, (other materials are available on request). It is insulated by packed minerals specifically magnesium oxide (MgO). Magnesium oxide is the perfect electrical insulation material because it is resistant to oxidation, ionizing radiation, and it’s stable at high temperatures both, physically and chemically.

When the MI cable has been packed with MgO, the mineral insulated cable is annealed and drawdown in size to reach the required diameter. The outer sheath works to protect the conductors, for example thermocouple wires inside from heat, chemicals, or other damage from the environment. For fire proof wiring cables the copper sheath can be covered with an extra, coloured low smoke and fume (LSF) sheath to add in both identification and an additional layer of protection from corrosion.

An MI cable can have a number of wires depending on the application, the configurations that are used most often in temperature measurement are 1, 2, or 3 pairs of conductors. Specifically designed mineral insulated cables might include extra thermocouples in customised configurations. MI cable can come in a range of diameters and lengths, depending on the unique requirements for their use. All TRM MI cables are extensively tested before shipping on to our clients.

What is MI cable used for?

Mineral insulated fire survival cables where created with critical and essential circuit protection in mind. They are ideal for use in protecting buildings and structures for example, high-rises, tunnels, airports, healthcare facilities, and industrial or petrochemical plants.

Additionally, temperature sensors made from MI cable like RTDs and thermocouples, are commonly used in corrosive and high temperature environments such as heat treatment, solid waste incinerators, sintering powdered metals, firing ceramic metals, fuel fired heat exchangers, and nuclear or hydrocarbon-based energy plants.

What are the benefits of MI cable?

Corrosion and oxidisation resistant

The metal sheath that covers MI cable works to protect the conductor wires from oxidising when used in chemically active or damp environments. A high level of corrosion resistance means mineral insulated cable is great for use in areas where failure and replacement could be extremely dangerous or even impossible to do.

For instance, MI cable is used in nuclear plants to monitor core temperatures. It would be incredibly dangerous if the temperature controllers were not getting accurate readings, and it would be challenging to attempt to repair or replace the cables in this type of environment.

Non-reactive insulation

The MgO within MI cables offers unparalleled non-reactive insulation, which prevents the conductor wires from coming into contact with either each other or caustic substances like oils, solvents, or water. This is to make sure for example that the thermocouple probes always stay accurate, which is vital in applications like heat treating or sintering where the quality of the product could be negatively affected by fluctuations in temperature.

The insulation doesn’t burn

The insulation inside MI cables does not burn, meaning it is ideal for fire protection applications where it could be disastrous if a fire broke out. MI cables are ideal for critical applications such as medical devices, power plants, and oil rigs. Simply put any essential circuits would be safer with the installation of mineral insulated cables.

High levels of precise accuracy

Since the metal sheath and MgO insulation also protects thermocouple and RTD probes, they’re not easily subject to malfunction or inaccurate temperature measurements. MI cables are carefully calibrated to achieve international standards, meaning they provide accurate and precise temperature measurements across long duty cycles with very little to no loss of accuracy at all.

Also, thanks to the mineral insulation, MI cables can effectively function in high temperature conditions without their accuracy levels being affected. This makes them very useful for kilns, firing ceramics or heat-treating metals, or any other high temperature process.

These cables retain their accuracy during and after exposure to high temperatures, making them ideal as a temperature probe in these kinds of operations. Additionally, for industries like medical devices or aerospace where safety standards are enforced strictly and deviations from processes could lead to serious or even life-threatening quality issues.

Contact TRM today for find out how we can help you with our fireproof wiring, temperature measurement, and trace heating expertise. We can create tailored solutions for business in many industries to ensure the safety of their processes.

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