Machinery Monitor

 Predictive Sensor Technology (PST) introduces its Wireless Type K Thermocouple Transmitter (PST-TCK), which alerts the user via text or email when pre-set targets are reached. Temperature is the most versatile and easy-to-interpret indicator of equipment health. A change in temperature without a change in operating conditions indicates a problem. Manufacturing operations which are sensitive to temperature changes and equipment with known optimal operating temperatures benefit from wireless monitoring since real-time notifications and alerts can allow modification and maintenance before catastrophic damage occurs. Temperature monitoring is especially valuable in evaluating conditions of motors, pumps, bearings, and gearboxes. Use of wireless thermocouple monitoring from PST in heat treat plants, commercial bakeries, industrial ovens and food storage operations helps control critical temperature parameters and eliminate surprise changes in conditions detrimental to the process. 

The PST (PST-TCK) also monitors and saves the condition history of the process to verify quality or enable adherence to manufacturing requirements or standards. Bob Fitzpatrick, the developer of the technology, notes, “Our customers value the freedom and peace of mind they gain from having instant text and e-mail feedback from the TC-K transmitters when pre-set, targeted conditions are reached. Predictive maintenance takes the guesswork out of the process and prevents problems inherent with traditional preventive maintenance methods. Our customers enjoy peace of mind with 24/7/365 monitoring.” The PST TC-K Thermocouple Transmitter can efficiently read and transmit up to 3 customer supplied thermocouple inputs.  A miniature flat 2 pin connector allows connection to a wide variety of thermo-couple sensors. The TC-K accurately detects a wide temperature range of -328°F to 2462°F, (-200°C to 1350°C.) The transmitter’s resolution is (1.8°F), 1°C with accuracy of +/- 1%. Two AA alkaline batteries with an approximate two-year battery life power the unit and allow portability. 4 magnetic mounting feet are provided for easy attachment to monitored equipment.  The 900 MHz transmitter uses a clear channel assessment approach which allows the system to function efficiently in noisy areas or heavy RF traffic areas without disrupting other communications. Data is typically transmitted once every 20 seconds, but custom update rates are available from the factory. Battery voltage and signal strength are reported with every transmission. The transmitter range will vary depending on the location. 

A reliable communication range of 600-1200 feet is possible. The Wireless Temperature Transmitter’s iStatus™ reporting software tracks temperature and operating conditions and notifies you about the change in status by email or text. PST’s proprietary iStatus™ software: is the heart of the PST system. Simple yet powerful, iStatus™ checks each data transmission against user-configured alarm thresholds. New alarms trigger e-mail or text notification. iStatus™ automatically logs data at user-configured intervals in a SQL database. Users can run convenient pre-configured reports to view trends or program their own in the SQL database. The iStatus™ software provides the ability to configure messaging, build reports, export data and scale and zero sensor outputs.