Control News You Can Use
Watt Stopper
This versatile panel provides simple control to indoor and outdoor lighting. Contractors are going to love the new WattStopper LC8 modular panel, which provides cost-effective lighting control solutions and is ideal for small stand-alone retail projects, libraries or bank buildings, controlling lobbies, corridors, public spaces, even exteriors of larger buildings. [Read more...]
The A/LP2 Series pressure transmitters incorporate a durable piezoresistive sensing element to enable low pressure measurements. Integrated temperature compensation with offset and span calibration extends the performance of these devices to provide excellent long term reliability.
Ok here is another video training from our friends at DG Logik. You will remember this is the main graphics package Stromquist & Company uses when our customers want a high end flexible graphical interface. This video is one of a series of tutorials we are posting to show how easy it is to use DG Logik. [Read more...]
Ok Hollywood step down, Stromquist and Company is going to show you what real Transformers are all about!
Wireless technology has advanced so much in the last few years and the acceptance and value of these controls is gaining immeasurably. All phases of the market have now been touched by wireless thermostats, controllers, and sensors including industrial, commercial and domestic applications.
Functional Devices, makers of the RIB (relay in a box), will be at Stromquist on Thursday, February 24 to conduct a lunch and learn. If you are in the Atlanta area, please join us for a free lunch and learn about various types of relays (including open protocol relays), power supplies, and their new Half-Light, an energy saving lighting device.
The Two Stage Half-Light is designed for a 2-ballast, 4 lamp fixture where each ballast controls two lamps. Within this configuration, an initial toggle “on” of the wall switch activates only one ballast to produce 50% light; by toggling the switch “off” then “on” again, both ballasts will be activated to deliver full light output. The sequence can be easily restarted by holding the switch in the “off” mode for at least 5 seconds. This is just one of the Half-Light models available. To learn more click here or come to our Lunch and Learn on the 24th.
In just about every application where the flow of air, water, oil, gas, or any other fluid needs to be stopped or started a solenoid valve is incorporated into the piping system.
Here is a list of common questions that need to be addressed to properly start the selection of your solenoid valve needs.
Valve Type 2-way, 3-way, 4-way
Operation Normally Open, Normally Closed, Universal
Pipe Size Pipe size or flow requirements
Media Fluid to be controlled (what’s going through valve)
Pressure Minimum and Maximum operating pressure
Temperature Minimum and Maximum fluid and ambient temperature
Voltage Voltage and frequency to be used
Extras Special seals, special seats, manual reset, explosion proof, etc.
Since most of the day by day uses of solenoid valves are 2-way/ 2-position let’s look at the above questions closer.
Operation This the most misunderstood question. Normally Open simply put means that when the valve is not energized (no power to coil) the valve is open allowing the media to pass through the valve. When the Normally Open valve is energized (power to coil) the Normally Open valve will shut down not allowing media to pass through the valve. The Normally Closed valve is of course opposite to the Normally Open valve. When the Normally Closed valve is not energized the valve will not allow media to flow through the valve. When the Normally Closed valve is energized the valve will open to allow media to flow.
Pipe Size Most all valves are listed by pipe size and Cv rating along with the valve’s orifice size. Notice that the smaller the orifice size is on a solenoid valve that the Cv rating is reduced. So what Cv do you need? Here is a “rule of thumb”. Cv = 50% of the gpm flow through a valve based on a 2-5 psi pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the valve. So by way of example if you need 10 gpm of water to supply your need to some equipment with a 2-5 psi pressure drop the solenoid’s Cv factor would be 5.
Media Most common of media type for solenoid valves is air, water, gas, steam, or oil.
Pressure Maximum Operating Pressure Differential (M.O.P.D.) The maximum operating pressure differential refers to the maximum difference in pressure between the inlet and the outlet, against which the solenoid can safely operate the valve. If the pressure at the valve OUTLET is not known, it is safest to regard SUPPLY pressure as the M.O.P.D. Minimum Operating Pressure Differential is that which is required to OPEN the valve and keep it open. 2-way way solenoids with a floating piston or diaphragm, the valve will start to close below the minimum operating differential pressure.
Temperature The normal limitation of 32 degrees F (O degrees C) is advisable for any valve that might contain moisture (water Vapor). Where freezing water is not a factor, minimum ambience as low as 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) can be tolerated. Special constructions are available for lower temperature ratings. Maximum ambient temperature is usually controlled by the UL listing for the coil insulation available for the valve.
Voltage There are various coil voltages available for solenoids to meet your needs. Please remember when asking for valves to state if the voltage is AC or DC and whether 50 or 60 cycles.
Stromquist and Company is proud to service your needs for solenoid valves by ASCO, GC Valve, and Honeywell. Let us help you pick the right solenoid valve for your needs by calling us at 1-800-241-9471 or 1-800-638-7828.
Everyone is looking for simple and inexpensive ways to save energy and money. Here’s a thought to consider: hot water heater timers. Intermatic’s WH Series time switches provide automatic control for electric water heaters. They provide to-the-minute accuracy in programming and time keeping, and they can be programmed for repeat daily scheduling, 5-day working week scheduling, weekend scheduling or any individual day scheduling. Timers can be scheduled for operation during the lowest time-of-day rates or to switch off the electric heater during periods of peak power usage. The time switch can be set to operate for up to 6 ON/OFF operations daily for a maximum of 42 on/off operations weekly. They provide a convenient external override switch and LED load indicator for ease in scheduling hot water as required for extra hot water demands.
If you are in Georgia or Florida, you can contact Stromquist for more information on Intermatic timers. All others can order this product from one of our affiliates at CGNA.
Over the years sequencing different stages for compressors, staged electric heat strips, actuators, pumps, and various lighting applications has not been the easiest job for the mechanic. Functional Devices, manufacturers of the famous Relay In a Box (RIB relays), has released the RIBMN24Q4C-PX programmable sequencer to make your job easier.
The RIBMN24Q4C-PX is used to control four integrated 15 amp SPDT relay contacts with one (0-10vdc) analog signal. Power input of this control is 24 VAC/DC. Unlike other models, the RIBMN24Q4C-PX has an on-board digital display to eliminate the need to attach a voltage meter. Just dial up your desired trip voltage and move on to the next relay set point!
Features:
Relay will activate when control signal voltage reaches or exceeds individual relay setpoint
Turn Off is set to 200mV less than setpoint
Factory relay setpoints: Can be changed by installer
Relay 1: 3V » Relay 3: 7V
Relay 2: 5V » Relay 4: 9V
Minimum setpoint: 0.5V
Maximum setpoint: 9.9V
Relay number will flash 3 times when voltage exceeds setpoint
Pressing UP or DN button in normal run mode will display the voltage present on Analog Input
*Sequencer can be piggy-backed, allowing more than 4 relay setpoints if sequencer 1 and sequencer 2 are using the same power control input and input signal source. At this point the relay setpoints on sequencer 2 can be different or the same as sequencer 1. Note: sequencer requires 5va power draw per sequencer from control transformer.
The RIBMN24Q4C-PX is also shipped with a MT212-6 din rail mounting strip.
If you are a Stromquist customer located in Georgia or Florida you can order this product at www.stromquist.com. All others can order this product from one of our affiliates at CGNA.
