There are a number of new products discussed in this issue of the Indicator, and I am excited by our continued innovations. Of course we continue to improve our displays to make them easier to read, larger, and full of more information. In addition, Precision Digital is offering fully-approved hazardous area products in stainless steel housings. This expands where our already rugged ProtEX line can be installed, and offers the ultimate in rugged housing options. Displays are also available that can be installed down to -55 °C while still maintaining hazardous area agency approvals, a very rare feature on any display.
We made significant improvements to our PDW30 and PDW90 wireless products including Loss of Signal (LoS) digital output, field installable relays module, CapTouch through-glass button programming, and three different size base stations that can hold 2, 6, or 16 I/O modules. The PDW field units now come in a larger enclosure available in aluminum or stainless steel and can operate in temperatures of -55 to 75°C.
Finally, we are expanding the functions of our ConsoliDator+ once again, adding PID control and switching functions for HOA and other switching needs.
All of this drives home the need to stay up to date on Precision Digital’s newest offerings. I hope you take the time to review this issue of Indicator, and check out the What’s New page on the Precision Digital website.
If you think of Precision Digital and all you know of are our 1/8 DIN panel meters, you would do yourself a favor to catch up with what’s new in 2023!
The total number of items on our backlog is down to 1/3 of what it was last summer and the number of items we have in stock has increased significantly. Critical parts are arriving daily, and we expect within the next few weeks to have most of our popular products in stock and the ability to ship less popular items in a week or so. You can check current stock levels of our most popular product, the PD6000 at www.predig.com/pd6000. Availability of long lead time items like the ConsoliDator+ and PDW wireless are also greatly improved.
Multivariable Controller
Precision Digital has expanded the capabilities of the ConsoliDator+ multivariable controller with new PID and HOA control features, and obtained UL approval for its use in General Safety and Hazardous locations.
- UL and C-UL Listed for General Safety and Hazardous Locations
- Auto-Tune PID Control for Multiple Control Loops
- PID Control with Analog, Digital, or Relay Outputs
- HOA and Other 2, 3, and 4-Way Switch Functions to Route Inputs & Outputs
in Stainless Steel Enclosures
Precision Digital’s most popular explosion-proof meters are now available in stainless steel. They are fully approved products certified by CSA as Explosion Proof / Dust Ignition Proof / Flame Proof and by ATEX and IECEx as Dust Ignition Proof / Flame Proof. These products are also agency certified to be installed in temperatures as low as -55 °C (-67 °F).
The following product lines are now available in stainless steel:
- ProtEX PD663 and PD6870 Loop-Powered Meters
- ProtEX-MAX Series (The same functionality as the ProVu, Trident X2, Super Snooper, or Vigilante II)
- ProtEX+ PD6900 Series Loop Powered Meters
- PDW30, PDWR, and PDW90 wireless field units
The stainless steel enclosures include all the same physical features as the aluminum enclosures such as the built-in mounting flanges for wall or pipe mounting, locking screw, built-in loop for stainless steel tag, and holes on the cover and base of the enclosure for a tamper-proof seal.
on the PDW30/90 Wireless Products
Precision Digital’s wireless products have been redesigned to add new features and improve the user experience. The field units are now housed in a larger enclosure to make field wiring easier and provide room for a two relays option module, a Loss of Signal (LoS) digital output is now available, and the units can be programmed with CapTouch Buttons. The base stations are now available to hold 2, 6, or 16 I/O modules and have Loss of Signal (LoS) capability as well as improved mechanical functionality.
The following bullet lists contain the new features highlighted in yellow:
PDW30 Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge
- Signal Wire Replacement Bridge
- Matched Pair of Wireless Field Units
- Virtually Plug and Play Right out of Box
- Range: 1 Mile Line-of-Sight Outdoor, 500 Feet Indoor
- Repeaters Available to Extend Range
- Wireless Transmission Between Primary and Secondary Unit of
• 4-20 mA (Separate Signals Going Both Ways)
• Discrete (4 Digital I/O Signals Going Both Ways)
• RS-485 Modbus - Inputs: 4-20 mA or 0-10 V (1), Discrete/Digital (up to 4), Modbus
- Outputs: 4-20 mA (1), Discrete/Digital (up to 4), Relays (2), Modbus
- Isolated RS-485 Modbus Communications
- Loss of Signal (LoS) Digital Output
- PDA10 Signal Strength Survey Tool to "Try Before You Buy"
- Field Installable Relay Module with Two Form A (SPST) 5A Relays (Available for Both Units)
- Configure Using PDW Manager Software and On-Board USB
- Backlit Display Provides Helpful Input & Output Information
- CapTouch Through-Glass Button Programming
- IP68, NEMA 4X Aluminum & Stainless Steel Enclosures
- Plenty of Room for Field Wiring
- Operating Temperature Range: -55 to 75°C (-67 to 167°F)
- Conformal Coated PCBs for Dust & Humidity Protection
- 9-30 VDC Power
PDW90 Point to Multi-Point Wireless System
- System Consisting of Wireless Base Station and Field Units
- Signal Wire Replacement for up to 32 4-20 mA Signals
- Range: 1 Mile Line-of-Sight Outdoor, 500 Feet Indoor
- Repeaters Available to Extend Range
- Wireless Transmission Between Base Station and any Field Unit of
• 4-20 mA (Separate Signals Going Both Ways)
• Discrete (4 Digital I/O Signals Going Both Ways)
• RS-485 Modbus - Inputs: 4-20 mA or 0-10 V (1), Discrete/Digital (up to 4), Modbus
- Outputs: 4-20 mA (1), Discrete/Digital (up to 4), Relays (2), Modbus
- Base Station I/O Modules for 4-20 mA Inputs, 4-20 mA Outputs, Relay Outputs, Digital I/O
- Base Stations for 2, 6, or 16 Field Installable I/O Modules & Modbus
- Loss of Signal (LoS) Digital Output
- PDA10 Signal Strength Survey Tool to "Try Before You Buy"
- PDW Manager Programming Software and On-Board USB
- Field Units Available in NEMA 4X Aluminum & Stainless Steel
- Field Unit Operating Temperature Range: -55 to 75°C (-67 to 167°F)
- PCBs are Conformal Coated for Dust & Humidity Protection
- Power: 9-30 VDC, Base Station & Field Units
Updated Documentation Available Below
Running Fast and Reduce Waste
In an effort to both save the planet from wasted paper and to improve the user experience, we are creating 11 x 17 folded quick start guides that are included with most products. The CD that was included with the product has been eliminated and replaced by these quick start guides which cover all the common setup, programming, and wiring instructions.
Currently, we are shipping quick start guides with our most popular products, like the ProVu PD6000, Trident PD765 and the Loop Leader PD6600, and we are actively working to release more.
Furthermore, our bigger products that are shipped in larger size boxes like the PD8, PD2, PD4, and PD9000 include the entire manual printed 8½ x 11.
Smaller Shipping Boxes
Also, in an effort to reduce waste and save the environment, we have reduced the size of our shipping boxes for our panel meters. The new design reduces the amount of packaging materials needed to secure the product in the box and also reduces the dimensional weight – saving you money on freight costs.
We Have Plenty in Stock!
If you’re having trouble finding PID temperature and process controllers in stock, you're in the right place. Check out the stock levels on all our new SuperNova controllers at predig.com/pd500.
The SuperNova is a superior line of auto-tuning PID and on/off process & temperature controllers with a striking reverse polarity LCD screen displaying up to three lines of process information.
Features:
- 1/16, 1/8 (V), and 1/4 DIN Sizes
- Thermocouple, RTD, DC Voltage, DV Current Inputs
- 4-20 mA, SSR Drive, & Relay Outputs for Control, Alarm, & Retransmit
- High Accuracy Auto-Tuning PID
- High Durability, IP65 Front with Hard Plastic Pushbuttons
- Large Easy to Read 14-Segment PV Display up to 1.1" (29 mm)
- Easily Switch Between Auto and Manual Control Modes
- Remote Set Value 1-5 V or 4-20 mA Option
- USB Port Standard for FREE Programming & Monitoring Software
- UL & C-UL Recognized Process Control Equipment,
Electrical – Component
Need a NEMA 4X Enclosure for your 1/16, 1/4,
or 1/8 V DIN Controller?
Precision Digital offers a wide variety of enclosures for 1/16, 1/4, or 1/8 V DIN Controllers.
For more information, see the web page on SuperNova Controller Enclosures. Call us for an enclosure to hold more than 1 SuperNova controller.
A power plant facility that uses ammonia to reduce NOx emissions has recently replaced its old, degraded controller with a PD9000 ConsoliDator+ Multivariable Controller.
The facility receives ammonia in bulk from tanker trucks and is dispensed into a storage tank. The PD9000 controller was installed and configured to display and monitor the readings from two sensors that detect ammonia gas leaks at the fill points on top of the storage tank.
Ammonia can be very toxic at high concentrations. Given ammonia is not flammable, a water deluge system is needed to dilute the concentration of ammonia in the area. The water deluge system changes the chemical properties by bonding it with water, and therefore, keeps the ammonia gas exposure at safe levels.
Display Application!
Precision Digital has the most complete line of loop-powered indicators on the market! Explore all the great features of the Loop Leader, and the new Loop Leader+, ProtEX+, and VantageView+ series of loop-powered meters. Below are just a few key features listed for each series.
Loop Leader Features (Learn More)
- 1/8 DIN Panel Meters with a NEMA 4X, IP65 Front
- Intrinsically Safe and Nonincendive Models Available
Loop Leader+ Features (Learn More)
- Wall Mounted NEMA 4X, IP66 Large Display Meters
- 2.8" (71 mm) Top Display and 1.5" (39 mm) Bottom Display
- 20-Segment Bargraph with Numeric Percent Indication
- Intrinsically Safe Models Available
ProtEX+ Features (Learn More)
- Explosion-Proof Meters with NEMA 4X, IP68 Aluminum or Stainless Steel Enclosure
- Explosion-Proof and Intrinsically Safe
- CapTouch Through-Window Button Programming
- Easy Snap-in, Snap-out Electronics Module
- CSA and ATEX and IECEx Certified for Installations down to -55°C (-67°F)
VantageView+ Features (Learn More)
- Field Mounted Indicators for Safe Areas
- Housed in a Plastic NEMA 4X, IP66 Enclosure
- CapTouch Through-Window Button Programming
- Easy Snap-in, Snap-out Electronics Module
WHY USE LOOP-POWERED METERS?
The most basic decision a user wishing to display a 4-20 mA signal on a digital display has to make is: should the meter be powered by line voltage or should it be powered by the 4-20 mA loop? The meters in this data sheet are powered by the 4-20 mA loop. The three main benefits of this are:
- No additional power required
- Easy wiring
- Additional digital displays can easily be added in the same loop
The diagram below illustrates how a loop-powered meter is wired. Notice there are only two connections made to the meter.
For more information on loop-powered meters, check out these white papers:
of Loop-Powered Indicators
Introducing the Loop Leader+ large display, ProtEX+ explosion-proof, and VantageView+ field-mount lines of loop-powered indicators with advanced display and control features. Designed for use in safe or hazardous areas, all have the same functionality as our best-selling loop-powered panel meter, the Loop Leader series. Together they form the most comprehensive line of loop-powered indicators on the market. Watch the video to learn more.
with a Precision Digital Loop-Powered Meter
In this previously recorded webinar, Joe Ryan, VP of Sales & Marketing, discusses the advantages of Precision Digital’s Loop Leader, and the New Loop Leader+, ProtEX+, and VantageView+ loop-powered meters.
You will learn how any of the products in this comprehensive line of loop-powered meters can display a 4-20 mA signal virtually anywhere, how easy they are to connect them into an existing loop, and how they share all the same features, functionality, and programming. Download the presentation slides here.
