Solenoid Valves

Solenoid Valves come in all shapes and sizes and all means of operation. For automation needs, the solenoid valve is the valve of choice.

This will be a brief discussion of the common solenoid valve used in industry today.

A solenoid valve is a combination of a valve body the allows a media to flow through it, water, air, oil and a coil that with a voltage applied energizes a magnetic coil to move a plunger that allows the valve to either open or close. Solenoid valves can be signaled by sensors within a plant via an electrical signal thus an operation can then be achieved.

Solenoid valves come in three basic styles, two way, three way and four way valves. The Two way valves have two ports, an inlet and outlet. The valves can be either normally open or normally closed.
Normally Closed is the more common style as it requires power to open and will close in a power failure.

Three way solenoid valves are designed for operating cylinders, air operated control valves and in some cases diverting flow between two directions. 3-way valves can come in normally open, normally closed and universal operation. Universal operation requires a direct acting valve, normally a small size valve, 1/8, 1/4 or 3/8 ports.

Four way valves are also designed for operating cylinders and valves and can have two solenoids on them, one for each of the two operations.

The valves can come in different body materials, stainless steel, brass, PVC, Teflon or other. The most common is brass and stainless steel. Seals can be Nitrile, viton, neoprene, or Teflon to name the most common. The different seals have different temperature properties and corrosion resistance.

Most solenoid valves come with a NEMA 4X coil, good for washdown and submersion in water. Also available are nema 7/9 or explosion proof and DIN style connections.

Anderson-Bolds stocks valves from Parker and ASCO. We can also provide specialty valves from Valcor.

www.anderson-bolds.com

216-360-9800

Electric Heating Elements

Electric Heating Elements make the industrial world Hot.

Anderson-Bolds has been selling electric Heating Elements since 1934.

Electric Heating elements are a very simple yet extremely effective way to heat in the industrial work place as well as commercially and in the home.

Electric heating elements can be applied in just about every facet of industrial heating and commercial heating, from surface heating, to tank heating, air heating, drying, heat treating, freeze protection, cooking, air conditioning and frost prevention.

The heating element itself is very simple, made of three main parts, a resistance wire, insulator and metallic sheath. The element then functions under Ohms Law with the relationships of Resistance (ohms), current (amperes), watts and volts. Which one of these can be the constant?

To make an element the three main parts mentioned above are brought together, the sheath material is usually in a tube form (except for plastic cable and strip heaters) and hung in a vertical fashion up to 30 or 40 feet and the resistance wire is then also hung through the center of the tube with spacers at each end (a plug on the bottom end) and stretched taught to keep it centered in the sheath tube. The insulator material is then entered into the tube gently, the material is usually magnesium oxide or MGO. [MGO has the two properties necessary to be very good at its job, to insulate the metal sheath from the electrically charged resistance wire AND be a very good heat transfer medium. MGO does this job very well, unless it gets wet.] The MGO is in a fine sand like consistency when poured and shaken into the tube. [The manufacturing plant has to be fairly tall to make the long elements.] The resistance wire is not straight but in a curl formation running up through the center of the sheath tube. The light shaking of the operation allows the MGO to get in between the curls of the wire to fill all the gaps. No air gaps can be present with the element.

After sufficient time on the vibrators or shakers the filled tubes are capped off and removed and taken to the rollers or presses. The elements are now pressed and squeezed to the desired diameter. There are two other results to this operation, the element is lengthened as it is squeezed and the MGO gets compressed into a solid and fills all remaining spaces within the element and resistance wire spaces.

The Heating element is now ready to be formed into the correct shape, be it straight, hairpin, "M" shaped or any other shape desired for the application. After the element is shaped it is repressed to consolidate any of the MGO that has separated and then terminations are added to the ends of the element.

Heating elements can have sheath materials of Iron, copper, stainless steel, incoloy, inconel, monel or any material needed for temperature ratings or corrosion resistance. The common material are copper for water heating, iron for oil heating, and stainless or incoloy for higher temperatures or corrosion.

Lets return to Ohm's law which is W=I²R or V=IR or I=W/V
are the common formula's used with heating with resistance heating elements. With W = watts, I = amps, v= volts and R=ohms.

When making a heating element, the resistance is the constant in the actual element. The wire diameter and length is chosen to meet the wattage requirement when a specific voltage is present on the element. However different wattages and amperes can be easily achieved with different applied voltages; this can be good and bad. In short, if the voltage is doubled the wattage is quadrupled and conversely if the voltage is halved, the wattage drops to 1/4 of what is was. Example; an element rated at 1000 watts on 240 volts will be 250 watts when 120 volts is applied or will be 4000 watts if 480 volts is applied. The resistance wire is the fixed constant in a heating element and is the key to manufacturing consistent product.

The ease of which electric heating elements can be used to heat product makes them an excellent choice in all manners of heat, from manufacturing, to water heating, floor heating, pipe heating, coffee makers, heat treating and plastic injection molding.

Of course in a heating system, we need to control the temperature, sense the temperature and apply the voltage required, this items make up a heating system. Another blog will describe this system.

Some of our manufactures of heating elements and heaters include, Watlow, Danfoss, Q'Mark, Chromalox, Brisk Heat and Process Heating.

www.anderson-bolds.com

216-360-9800

Cleveland, Ohio USA

Photo Electric Switches

How do garage doors know when something is in the way?

How do elevators know where to stop?

How does the store keeper know when someone enters a store?

How does a car wash know where the car is?

How does a manufacture count the cans on an assemble line?

Answer: PHOTO ELECTRIC SWITCHES

Photoelectric switches use a light source to detect an object. The switch then changes it's logic or switch to make an action, like an alarm or movement of a device.

The photoelectric switch uses either visible light or infrared light as it's source. The object being sensed should be reflective for a diffuse switch or the use of a reflector is required and the object breaks "the beam" as in an elevator or garage door switch.

A thru beam system utilizes a transmitter and receiver. the Transmitter sends out the light beam and is directed at a receiver unit. Both units need to be powered and interconnected together for the system to work. Advantages are the longest field of view is achieved and the most secure sensing is realized via polarization. The main disadvantage is that each unit must be wired and interconnected together. A "thru beam" system can also be utilized using a reflector. this is called retro-reflective. The retro-reflective system has the advantage over a thru beam of all the logic and power supply being located in one box and one area. It is also more secure like the thru beam system by using polarizing filters that turn the light and only allow the correct "polarization" to be sensed by the receiver. The retro-reflective unit as the receiver and transmitter housed in a single unit. Thru Beam and Retro-reflective systems are used for counting, sorting and sensing the presence of an object or person for safety or security reasons.

The Diffuse system relies on the object being reflective, these are usually used in an industrial setting sensing a product or color code or marking on a product or box. Like the retro-reflective unit the transmitter and receiver are in the same unit. The distance is usually quite short so that the reflected light is able to be sensed. The target does not usually have the reflective qualities of a reflector. A diffuse system is used when a thru beam or retro-reflective cannot be used or when sensing color or a bar code.

All Photo Electric systems need an output to communicate with the PLC or system logic. Most use NPN or PNP logic but some have built in relays (1 amp usually) to give the output signal. The signal can go to a computer, PLC or directly to the system like a motor or contactor or alarm.

ANDERSON-BOLDS CAN HELP WITH ANY APPLICATION FOR PHOTO ELECTRIC SWITCHES.

www.anderson-bolds.com

ECO EXIT SIGNS by Jessup

Going green doesn't have to be expensive.

The Federal Energy Management Program says that the best available exit sign product uses photoluminescent technology. What’s more, the program directs all federal agencies to not purchase incandescent light bulb or tritium exit signs, and requires facility managers to replace them immediately.
There’s no doubt about it. Buildings today are going green, and you need an easy, economical solution to reduce your carbon footprint. Get the green light with the zero energy, zero maintenance solution – the new, photoluminescent Glo Brite® Ecō Exit™ Signs.
By replacing 100 incandescent exit signs in your building with eco-friendly, easy to install Glo Brite® Ecō Exit™ Signs, you will save over $3,500 a year in energy costs - while reducing air pollution by almost a half a million pounds of CO2 over the life of the product.

Going green doesn’t have to be expensive when you start with zero - the new zero energy Glo Brite® Ecō Exit™ Signs
Zero electricity to operate
Zero wiring to run
Zero bulbs or batteries to replace
Zero toxic/radioactive materials
Zero maintenance for 25+ years
Zero problems with safe disposal

GloBrite® Ecō Exit™ PM 100
Non-electric and easy to install, the GloBrite® Ecō Exit™ PM 100 is the only non-radioactive, zero energy and zero maintenance photoluminescent safety sign on the market that is visible at 100 feet.
You save on energy costs because the 100% reliable Ecō Exit™ PM 100 uses the latest photoluminescent technology to absorb and store ambient light. In the event of an emergency blackout or smoky conditions, this stored energy is immediately visible, creating a clearly recognizable, photoluminescent egress indicator.
Product Information:
Sign Options / Colors Mounting Options & Configurations Other Models Available
Mounting
Wall
Ceiling
Flag
Conduit Stub
Configurations
Single-sided
Double-sided
PM50
P50
S50

Key Features
Consistent High Visibility Green illumination at 100 feet
100% reliable
Non-electric, no wiring or batteries, zero energy costs
Non-toxic, non-radioactive
Low-cost, easy installation
1-to-1 electrical sign replacement
Maintenance-free for 25+ years
Both high-level and low-level applications
Easy landfill disposal
Designed for either new construction or retrofits in any application
Architects Benefits
LEED points qualified
Reduces cooling and emergency generator loads
Aesthetically-pleasing designs
Multiple product solutions for every application
Contractor Benefits
Lower labor and material cost
No electrical to run or battery backup
Standard bracket options for easy mounting
Building Owner Benefits
Zero energy consumption - zero energy costs
Zero maintenance, zero replacement parts
Non-toxic, non-radioactive
No disposal cost, 100% Recyclable
Movable if egress paths change
Listings & Certifications
Listed to UL 924
Meets current building codes: IBC, NFPA 5000
Meets NFPA Life Safety Code 101 and OSHA requirements
CCMC Evaluation Report CCMC 13211-R (National Research Council of Canada)

View Signs at http://www.anderson-bolds.com/

ATC Timers and Counters

Anderson-Bolds has been involved with Automatic Timing and Controls and their timers, counters and photoelectric controls for over 40 years and have followed them on their moves from King of Prussia and Lancaster Pennslyvania to Newell West Virginia and their ownership by Marsh Bellofram.

For over 80 years, process engineers and machine designers have turned to Automatic Timing and Controls  (ATC)  first for reliable control products. These high-performance products are engineered to provide accurate and repeatable operation in all types of industrial environments. Our products play an integral part in countless industries; including food processing, plastics, packaging, water treatment and many OEM applications. The ATC product family has expanded to include 1/16 DIN timers, panel-mounted timers, electromechanical timers, counters, solid state cube and plug-in timers, photoelectric laser sensors, and time delay relays (TDR).

ATC manufacturers percentage timers, electromechanical timers, cam timers, repeat cycle timers, 1/16th DIN timers, weekly timers, time delay relays, and panel mount digital timers.
As the industry standard for timers in the USA, ATC will also custom design their timers to fit unique applications. Their timers are UL, CSA and FM approved. The FM approved timers are required in combustion control for purge cycles. (See 339 and 328 timers).

The ATC timers come in all the different modes, on-delay ( delay on make ), off-delay
(delay on break ), interval, repeat cycle, flicker, flasher, percentage, recycle, single shot, and multi-mode.

Below are some defintions of timing modes:

Delay On Make (On Delay)
Has also been referred to as delay-on-operate, delay-on-pickup, and delay-on-energize. This mode of operation indicates that the timing period follows the application of operating voltage, control voltage, or the closure of an separate initiate switch. After the timing period expires, the output is energized. Delay-on-make models are available in both solid state and relay contact output.

ATC On-Dealy Timers include the 305E, 355C, 365C, 405AR, 407A, 319E, 328D, 339A200Q2X, 339A359Q2X

Delay On Break (Off Delay)
Delay-On-Break . . . as also been referred to as delay-off, delay-on-release, and delay-on-dropout. This mode of operation indicates that the output energizes first and remains energized until after the timing period which does not begin until operating voltage, control voltage, or the opening of an separate initiate switch. After the timing period expires, the output is de-energized. This mode of operation requires standby voltage during the timing period. Delay-on-Break models are available in both solid state and relay contact output.

An ATC off Delay Timer is the Series 417

TRUE Delay-On-Break . . . Has also been referred to as true delay-off, true delay-on-release, and true delay-on-dropout. This mode of operation is identical to the delay-on-break operation above, but the major difference is that this mode of operation does not require standby voltage during the timing period. True Delay-on-Break models are available only in relay contact output.

Interval  (Like an Oven or fan timer)
This mode of operation indicates that the output is energized when the operating voltage is applied, or an initiate switch is closed. The timing period (interval) also begins when the output is energized. At the end of the timing period (interval) the output de-energizes, even though the operating voltage or the initiate switch is still active.
Characteristic of an interval mode is that the operating voltage must be applied longer than the interval timing period, or the initiate switch, if required by model, must be closed longer than the timing period.

The ATC 409 Series is a Push Button Interval Timer

Single Shot
Single Shot ... Similar to interval, but where the interval had to have the operating voltage, or the initiate switch closed longer than the timing interval, the single-shot requires only a momentary closure of an initiate switch to provide the interval mode of timing.

Repeat Cycle (Flip / Flop )
Repeat Cycle . . . Sometimes referred to as ON / OFF timers, cycling timers, or percentage timers, the repeat cycle mode of operation turns a circuit ON and OFF continuously on a repeating basis for as long as the operating voltage, or an initiate switch is applied. While the repeat cycle timer, and the ON/OFF timer are grouped together here as repeat cycle timers, there is one major difference between the two which may prove critical for your application. With any of Artisan Controls' repeat cycle timers you can vary the ON portion of the repeat cycle and not effect the overall repeat cycle time. With any of Artisan Controls' ON/OFF timers you vary the repeat cycle time when you change either the ON or the OFF timing periods. Available in repeat cycle mode are percentage timers, as well as programmable multiple output repeat cycle timers.

ATC REPEAT CYCLE timers are the 342B200F10PX and the ATC 422AR Series TDR's.
Diversified repeat cycle timers : 
TBF24ADA  TBF120ADA TBF24AEA TBF120AEA 
TBG24ADA  TBG120ADA TBG24AEA TBG120AEA   


Flasher
Flashers are a special kind of repeat cycle time. The only difference is the user can control the flash rate (flashes per sec etc.) only. The ON and OFF portion of the cycle are equal (50% duty cycle).


Anderson-Bolds stocks ATC timers and the sockets to go with them. If you are in need of time or in a time of need, please give us a call. 216-360-9800

Anderson-Bolds has an industrial Timer design Form.  Please fill it out and we can help pick out a TIMER for you.

www.anderson-bolds.com

Fire Shield Cords

THESE ARE NOW OBSOLETE AND NO LONGER MADE.

Anderson-Bolds Sells Fire Shield Cords and strips.

Fire Shield is the safest cord on the market.


Fire Shield products are ideal for home, office, and campus environments such as residence halls, labs, classrooms, libraries and other facilities. Fire Shield cords, with specially designed shielded conductors, are able to detect series faults and line-to-neutral faults, significantly reducing fire hazards. Available as power strips, surge protectors, appliance cords and extension cords.

Fire Shield is a next generation extension cord with built-in intelligence to sense cord damage and shut off the power before a fire can start. No other extension cord has this capability.

Industry statistics indicate there is a cord fire approximately every 6 minutes. The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.

Cords with grounded conductors only provide a path to ground. GFCI’s detect ground faults. Neither detects the breakdown in the insulation of a standard extension cord, which can lead to an arcing condition that may start a fire. By utilizing a sensing shield around the insulated Fire Shield conductors combined with intelligent electronics in the plug head, Fire Shield can detect damage in the cord such as series faults (broken and frayed conductors) and parallel faults (insulation damage between the live conductors), and shut off the power before a fire can start.

Causes of cord fires are unintentional misuse of extension cords. Cords may be crimped, pinched, frayed, overloaded, overheated, or just worn out. Any of these conditions can lead to an extension cord fire. Fire Shield can detect any leakage currents from these conditions and shut off power before a fire can occur.

Fire Shield should be used anywhere you use standard extension cords or power strips; in children’s rooms, pet areas, with space heaters, electric blankets, waterbeds, etc. Children and pets have been known to bite or chew electrical cords. Fire Shield, with its built-in intelligence may provide protection in these circumstances. Fire Shield Safety Extension Cords should also be used during the holidays with Christmas trees and other holiday decorations because of the tendency to overload extension cords.


Standard surge protectors only provide protection against power surges, which is important. However, standard surge protectors do not provide cord fire prevention. TRC has recently introduced a next generation line of Fire Shield Surge Protectors that not only protects against power surges, but also provides cord fire prevention. Please check our website to find the Fire Shield Surge Protector best suited for your requirements.


Many colleges and Universities, including the University of Richmond in Virginia, now require that only the Fire Shield cord and strips be used in dorm rooms. Cord fires are the leading cause of fire in dorm rooms. Please review the "Can you Prevent University Dorm Room Fires" brochure.

Fire Shield products are UL and CSA approved and can be purchased at Anderson-Bolds .

Horner APG ~ HMI/ OCS Systems

HORNER OPERATOR CONTROL STATIONS All-in-one Controllers for Industrial Applications By combining a controller, operator interface, I/O, and networking into a single compact unit, OCS (Operator Control Station) provides a better solution for original equipment manufacturers, integrators, and end-users alike. More and more, there is a move to all-in-one controllers because of ease-of-use, cost-savings, and flexibility. Since 1998, OCS has led the way in this emerging market with the largest installed base, and product selection. OCS has been used successfully in a variety of applications, including:
Custom OEM products Power Management and Backup Generation Semiconductor Applications Packaging Machinery Water Treatment Compressor Control		Pump Control Food Processing Motion Control Distributed Conveyor Control HVAC/Environmental Control Mobile Machinery Automotive Parts Manufacturing Horner OCS Brochure