Pressure transmitters and pressure gauges could be adapted to nearly every 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 of the disadvantages that users experience with the choice of doing the assembly themselves.
1. The logistical effort:
This is considerable. Measuring instruments, valves and other accessories, if they are brought together in-house, usually must be sourced from different manufacturers, frequently from more than two companies. The order processes need to be coordinated, which can be time-consuming. Furthermore, supplier management requires additional resources.
2. Fortune (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 mentioned, from different manufacturers. This increases the probability of complications during assembly.
The difference in these measuring arrangements with differential pressure gauges is obvious ? on the left, an example of an assembly created by the operator themselves, on the right, the hook-up solution from WIKA.
An example of this, shown here, may be the mix of a differential pressure gauge with a valve manifold. The bond of the measuring instrument includes a different centre distance than that of the selected valve manifold (picture left). When this happens, the connection may be accomplished through an assembly with two pipe pieces and four adapters. But this solution escalates the outlay in time and expense, and also 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 carries the risk of leakage. To experience the required compatibility, the qualification and delivery specification must be defined for each supplier with considerable effort.
Distracted 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. 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, a quality control is mandatory to check the functionality and reliability of the measuring arrangement, especially its leak tightness. That is especially important if, for example, 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 (on the basis of 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 also be combined with several instrumentation valves and accessories (see illustration left).
Note
Detailed info on valves and protective devices can be found on the WIKA website.