Pressure switch on track to safeguard switched circuits

12th October 2015

Jordan Mulcare

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IMI Precision Engineering has introduced a electromechanically actuated all-fluid pressure switch designated 21D, designed to monitor pressure levels in a variety of rail system applications. The 21D pressure switch makes or breaks electrical circuits based on input pressure thresholds.

The switch provides an adjustable hysteresis which allows falling and rising switching set points to be set individually, providing safe and reliable switching for a wide range of applications, such as railway air brakes, pantographs, pneumatic tool turrets, marine drive control systems and many others.

Able to operate across a pressure range of 0.1 to 10.5bar and temperatures from -40 to +70°C, the 21D pressure switch has been designed to operate in harsh environments and has undergone extensive testing to exceed relevant industry standards. Testing included: shock and vibration according to EN 61373, Category 1, Class B; environmental testing according to EN 60068; and a 500 hour salt spray test to EN ISO 9227. The 21D has an IP65 rating to EN 60529 and offers a high number of switching cycles, with optimum accuracy and repeatability of +3% of the final pressure value which is maintained over the whole life of the product.

The modular design allows for different mounting options and electrical interfaces as well as a wide choice of single pole and double pole switching logics. The micro switches used provide a long life, high accuracy and have been approved by UL/CSA.

Kelvin Austin, Business Development Director Rail, IMI Precision Engineering, commented: “In designing the 21D pressure switch we have drawn on our considerable experience of creating fluid and motion control systems for the rail industry which comply with relevant legislation and provide an excellent degree of system performance even in extreme environments where safety, reliability and durability are paramount. The 21D pressure switch also offers an IP65 ingress protection rating to maintain the integrity of the system against contamination or damage from fluids and solids.

“We have carefully selected high-performance materials from which to manufacture the 21D pressure switch, including gold plated or silver alloy contacts, which address varying accuracy and current draw ratings up to 10A, as well as hardwearing silicon for the diaphragm, to maximise performance and component life-span.”

Norgren became IMI Precision Engineering in 2015, a brand which consists of a portfolio of flagship product brands including IMI Norgren, IMI Buschjost, IMI FAS, IMI Herion and IMI Maxseal.