Pressure transmitters and pressure gauges could 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 alternative of doing the assembly themselves.
1. The logistical effort:
That 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 must be coordinated, which can be time-consuming. Furthermore, supplier management requires additional resources.
2. Compatibility problems (threat of leakage):
Combinations of pressure measuring instruments with instrumentation valves and accessories are not standard solutions. Both elements of such an assembly generally come, as stated, from different manufacturers. This increases 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.
Ultimate of this, shown here, may be the combination of a differential pressure gauge with a valve manifold. The connection of the measuring instrument has a different centre distance than that of the selected valve manifold (picture left). When this happens, the connection can be achieved through 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). Success 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 desired compatibility, the qualification and delivery specification must be defined for each supplier with considerable effort.
Two types of hook-up solutions:
Left: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector, a valve to separate the measuring instrument from the process 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 in the case of flange connections).
3. The installation effort:
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 range from the development of special know-how and employee training to the provision of a suitable workplace, including tools and the required materials. Furthermore, All-inclusive 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 (based on the specified process parameters and the installation situation) from qualified individual parts and is tested for leaks. It is ready for installation along the way on delivery. If necessary, a measuring instrument can even be coupled with several instrumentation valves and accessories (see illustration left).
Note
Detailed information on valves and protective devices are available on the WIKA website.