Switches

New and robust radio switching system

New and robust radio switching system

By combining the ZS 92 SR belt misalignment switch and the RF I/O radio module, steute has developed a new and robust radio switching system that brings together two of the company's core competencies.

The ZS 92 SR belt misalignment switch is well known from the heavy-duty range of the "Extreme" business area. This extremely robust switching device with a multi-coated die-cast aluminum housing monitors the running of belt conveyors. Its actuating lever detects an off-center belt run, which can occur, for example, with uneven loading. In this case, the switch - depending on the type of integration into the control system - stops the belt system or corrects the belt run.

This signal is usually sent to the control system via cable. But this requires a certain amount of cabling work due to the adverse conditions and the long distances, and due to the harsh environment, malfunctions and failures can occur more quickly than in a "clean" production environment.

That is why the further development of the ZS 92 SR, which steute started together with an interested gravel works operator, was actually a logical step: the belt misalignment switch was upgraded so that it communicates wirelessly with the associated control system. This is also logical because both the necessary hardware and the wireless technology are already available: the steute Controltec business unit offers a wide range of industrial wireless switching devices such as position switches, foot switches and sensors and uses the sWave wireless protocol developed by steute and proven in numerous applications worldwide.

These two technologies have now been combined. The belt misalignment switch is connected to a separate RF I/O module. This transmitter unit forwards the signals coming from the switch via sWave to a wireless relay module as a receiver unit - reliably, without a cable, over distances of up to around 400 meters in the open field. For longer distances, the user can install additional repeaters.

Two belt misalignment switches can be connected to each RF I/O module. And each switching device transmits a two-stage signal wirelessly. The first can serve as a warning signal, for example, while the second causes the conveyor system to be switched off.

In the meantime, steute has put a pilot installation into operation in a gravel works together with the user - other mining and handling companies that use bulk material conveyor belts have already expressed interest in this solution.

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