Sensor: at-a-glance display provides clear warnings

Paul Boughton

With the launch of the PAC50, SICK is introducing a specially-developed pneumatic pressure sensor for improved air pressure monitoring with an at-a-glance display to provide clear warnings of crossing pressure thresholds within a target range.

The PAC50’s multi-field on-board LCD display provides colour-coded visibility even at a distance and is configurable to meet the user’s preferences, so operators are able to monitor process conditions straight from the factory floor, as well as via the control PLC.

The sensor’s high level of functionality offers local and remote IO setting and diagnostic control, a choice of digital and analogue outputs, a wide range of easy mountings and connections, with IP65/67 protection in a rugged polycarbonate housing.

Among many options for the SICK PAC50 which enhance its versatility, the outputs are configurable.

The switch output can be user set to PNP or NPN configurable, and the analogue output to 0-10 volts or 4-20mA. There is a choice of outputs to suit the factory set-up: two digital; one digital plus one analogue; two digital plus one analogue, two digital including IO-Link, with measuring ranges of  -1 to 0bar, -1 to +1bar, 0 to +6bar and 0 to +10 bar at ±1.5% accuracy.

Simple to set up through a drop down menu or remotely via PLC, the PAC50 simultaneously displays current pressure, units, pressure set limits and switch output status.

The version with IO –Link Stack 1.1 remotely stores parameters to facilitate sensor replacement and instant replacement without recommissioning. Additionally, the SICK Memory Stick allows sensor parameters to be cloned, speeding multi-sensor installation.

The SICK PAC50 is constructed with polycarbonate housing with moulded in-display window and front-located setting buttons large enough to use with gloves on. The pressurised parts are also in glass-filled polycarbonate for long-term stability.

At 51mm by 35mm by 35mm, the lightweight (40g) PAC50 is easy to install in either panels, with wall mount fixings or in-built DIN rail mountings, for convenient location. Simple mounting is enhanced by the choice of female G1/4 threaded pressure connections on both the back and underside of the housing or a pushfit 4mm PIF hose connection on the underside.