Pressure transmitters and pressure gauges could be adapted to almost any process condition using valves, protective devices and/or fittings. WIKA offers such combinations by means of a ?hook-up?, an application-specific and ready-to-install solution. It eliminates all 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 need to be sourced from different manufacturers, frequently from more than two companies. The order processes should be coordinated, that 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 this assembly generally come, as mentioned, from different manufacturers. This escalates the odds of complications during assembly.
The difference in these measuring arrangements with differential pressure gauges is obvious ? on the left, an 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 combination 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 can be achieved via an assembly with two pipe pieces and four adapters. But this solution escalates 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 connection interfaces from different suppliers do not match exactly. This also carries the chance of leakage. In order to achieve the required compatibility, the qualification and delivery specification should be defined for every supplier with considerable effort.
Two types of hook-up solutions:
Left: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector, a valve to split up the measuring instrument from the process and a siphon tube that protects the entire measuring arrangement from excessive temperatures.
Right: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector and monoflange (this enables separation of measuring instrument and process regarding flange connections).
3. Bona :
On top of the requirements for the procurement of suitable components, are the assembly costs for measuring points with instrumentation valves and accessories also added. These add the development of special know-how and employee training to the provision of the right workplace, including tools and the required materials. Furthermore, a quality control is mandatory to check on the functionality and reliability of the measuring arrangement, especially its leak tightness. This is especially important if, for example, this can be 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 really is ready for installation along the way on delivery. If necessary, a measuring instrument can be coupled with several instrumentation valves and accessories (see illustration left).
Note
Detailed info on valves and protective devices are available on the WIKA website.