Pressure transmitters and pressure gauges can be adapted to nearly every process condition using valves, protective devices and/or fittings. WIKA offers such combinations in the form of a ?hook-up?, an application-specific and ready-to-install solution. It eliminates all of the disadvantages that users experience with the choice to do the assembly themselves.
1. The logistical effort:
This is considerable. Measuring instruments, valves along with other accessories, if they’re brought together in-house, usually have to be sourced from different manufacturers, frequently from more than two companies. The order processes ought to be coordinated, which may be time-consuming. Furthermore, supplier management requires additional resources.
2. Compatibility problems (risk of leakage):
Combinations of pressure measuring instruments with instrumentation valves and accessories are not standard solutions. Both components of such an assembly generally come, as stated, from different manufacturers. This escalates the odds of complications during assembly.
Guilt-free in these measuring arrangements with differential pressure gauges is obvious ? on the left, a good example of an assembly made by the operator themselves, on the right, the hook-up solution from WIKA.
An example of this, shown here, is the mix of a differential pressure gauge with a valve manifold. The bond of the measuring instrument has a different centre distance than that of the selected valve manifold (picture left). In such a case, the connection may be accomplished via an assembly with two pipe pieces and four adapters. But this solution increases the outlay with time and expense, as well as the risk of leakage, by doubling the sealing points (see arrow marks). Difficulties in assembly also arise if the tolerances of the bond interfaces from different suppliers usually do not match exactly. This carries the risk of leakage. In order to achieve the required compatibility, the qualification and delivery specification should be defined for every supplier with considerable effort.
Two examples of hook-up solutions:
Left: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector, a valve to split up the measuring instrument from the procedure and a siphon tube that protects the complete measuring arrangement from excessive temperatures.
Right: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector and monoflange (this permits separation of measuring instrument and process regarding flange connections).
3. The installation effort:
On top of the requirements for the procurement of suitable components, are the assembly charges for measuring points with instrumentation valves and accessories also added. These range from the development of special know-how and employee training to the provision of a suitable workplace, including tools and the necessary materials. Furthermore, Soaring is mandatory to check on the functionality and reliability of the measuring arrangement, especially its leak tightness. That is especially important if, for instance, this is a process with critical gases.
Avoidance of risks
With a hook-up solution, users circumvent the efforts and potential risks described here. The measuring arrangement is assembled at WIKA (based on the specified process parameters and the installation situation) from qualified individual parts and is tested for leaks. It is ready for installation in the process on delivery. If necessary, a measuring instrument can even be coupled with several instrumentation valves and accessories (see illustration left).
Note
Detailed info on valves and protective devices can be found on the WIKA website.