Easy integration of Webtec CTA hydraulic flow monitor with new 4-20mA output
Hydraulic measurement and control specialist Webtec has added a flow monitor for hydraulic systems featuring a 4-20mA output to its heavy duty, compact Webtec CTA series.
The original CTA series monitor can already monitor and transmit oil flow and temperature data via a J1939 CAN-bus interface, the addition of a 4-20mA (3-wire loop) analogue output for flow reporting is said to facilitate easy permanent installation on industrial and on/off-highway machines.
The CTA hydraulic system flow monitor is suitable for closed-loop control, real-time diagnostics, safety interlocks and inclusion in predictive maintenance/IoT systems to reduce downtime or enable autonomous vehicle operation. CTA series flow monitors are fully EMC-compliant, resistant to water spray/steam cleaning (IP6K9K protection rating) and unaffected by heavy vibration, making them a valuable addition to numerous vehicle applications.
The new 4-20mA output monitor is easily integrated with existing systems. It requires less wiring and connections than other signals, making it simple to configure.
4-20mA outputs are in widespread use throughout the hydraulics industry, offering a high level of compatibility with many industrial devices and control systems. Further benefits include efficiency, as 4-20 mA loop current remains constant and does not degrade over distance. This characteristic also serves to reduce the impact of electrical noise/interference, while the low 4-20mA current means there is no electrical shock hazard.
The new output takes advantage of the popular M12 connector for the electrical port. This differs to the existing J1939 version, which uses a Deutsch automotive connector in-line with the inlet port to reduce height. A rugged enclosure protects the electronics and the connector in case the flow monitor is dropped.
The availability of both J1939 and 4-20 mA outputs is yet another attribute that sets this increasingly popular hydraulic flow monitor apart from many others. Further differentiation arrives courtesy of its IP6K9K ingress protection rating, as well as the device’s impressive turndown ratio, pressure rating and connector protection.
Applications extend from earthmoving and mining machines to municipal vehicles, cranes and autonomous vehicles, where the CTA flow monitor can continuously assess pump and system performance. When using variable displacement pumps, users are able to incorporate regular test routines into the vehicle’s operation so that monitoring occurs during consistent and known operating conditions. The device can also facilitate real-time system performance information like hydraulic power output or pump volumetric efficiency by combining flow and pressure data, or even engine efficiency by comparing hydraulic power and fuel consumption.
Webtec’s CTA flow monitors (both J1939 and 4-20mA output versions) offer a calibrated flow range up to 300 l/min (80 US gpm) at a maximum rated pressure of 420 bar (6000 psi).Reply
