Measuring Instruments

When the natural build up of static electricity causes production line or machine function problems, its early detection and eradication can often be the difference between success and failure. Today, engineers and production staff can now simply check the electrostatic potential of an object and establish an immediate reading thanks to the new handheld electrostatic sensor Series IZH10 from world automation experts SMC.Powered by two standard AA batteries, the lightweight IZH10 is extremely portable and its sensor and separate compact display unit can be used in even the tightest of spaces. Being both precise and accurate the IZH10 can effectively measure electrostatic potential in various situations and, as an example, a charge potential of ±20kV can be detected in a circular areas with a diameter of only 180mm at a distance of 50mm. When used in continuous mode, the sensor and display can also operate for over 15 hours before its low battery warning light confirms that replacement batteries are required.Further functions of the IZH10 include an automatic battery saver which effectively turns the sensor off after 5 minutes of non-operation, a back light display to ensure that readings can be seen even in the darkest of locations, the option to adjust the sensor display to zero and the ability of the display to indicate and store both maximum and minimum potential readings.

A build up of static electricity during the manufacturing process often results in poor final production quality and substantially lower output. To help detect and monitor this naturally occurring phenomenon engineers from SMC, the world's leading automation experts, have now provided the solution with the launch of their new IZD10 and IZE11 Electrostatic Sensor and Electrostatic Sensor Monitor.Originally developed to work alongside SMC's IZS31 Ioniser, the new electrostatic sensor and sensor monitor can accurately measure the potential levels of static before the introduction of any countermeasures and importantly confirm the effective performance of any countermeasures which have been introduced. The IZD10 sensor is currently available in two options depending on the magnitude of the charged object - ±0.4 kV at 25 mm, ±20 kV at 50 mm - with a detection distance between 10 to 50 mm and 25 to 75 mm respectively.Readings from the sensor are converted into a 1 – 5 V output which can be viewed on the extremely compact 30 mm square, IZE11 digital sensor monitor or other instrumentation for downstream analysis.With its red and green colour digital display, the sensor monitor can be adjusted to one of four different display patterns and it can be ordered with either NPN or PNP switch outputs and either 1 – 5 V or 4 – 20 mA analogue output specifications.