Another important consideration for service and maintenance staff is the availability and flexibility of power supply. Technicians require cord reels and socket distributors that comply with the European ATEX Directives, enabling repairs and servicing to be carried out in hazardous zones. For example, portable Ex socket distributors and cable drums are available for providing a flexible power supply to portable electrical equipment located in zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. The objective is to minimise the time and effort required by the engineer, whilst guaranteeing the safety of personnel at all times. 

One area in which Cooper Crouse-Hinds has seen continued growth in recent years is in mobile power distributors. Often custom engineered for specific projects, these typically comprise a trolley, Ex plugs and eXLink plug connectors.

The ergonomically designed trolley is used to safely transport distribution boxes and other explosion-proof electrical equipment around a plant. The Ex plugs have a flexible mounting plate with wired Ex plugs for providing electrical power to various types of equipment.

Cooper Crouse-Hinds' own eXLink plug connections can then be used to enable electrical equipment - including actuators, motors, submerged pumps, liquid level sensors, floating switches - to be connected and disconnected quickly and safely, without compromising the safety or integrity of the installation.

Enabling users to maintain apparatus on a proactive or predictive basis, the eXLink range of Ex-approved plug-and-socket connectors from Cooper Crouse-Hinds UK Ltd, enables the connection and disconnection of electrical apparatus in potentially explosive environments, without the use of tools and without the engineer having to isolate the apparatus from the mains or disconnect the terminals.

The eXLink range, which includes connectors, plugs, receptacles, inlets and elbows, can be used for any instrumentation device or electrical apparatus.

For further information on Cooper Crouse-Hinds' comprehensive range of servicing and maintenance products for hazardous areas, including custom-designed options, or for a copy of the 'Servicing & Maintenance in Hazardous Areas' brochure, contact the UK sales office, e-mail: sales@ceag-crouse-hinds.co.uk or view website: www.ceag.de

New JLT Industrial PC powers up with
Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor with Windows 7

JLT Mobile Computers AB, a leading manufacturer and developer of rugged computer solutions for the toughest environments, is shipping the latest version of its JLT1214 touch screen PC for in-vehicle and other fixed-mount applications. Featuring a new Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM and Microsoft Windows 7, the Swedish designed and made computer offers outstanding performance and energy efficiency in all environments, even in temperatures as low as -30C. The new computer is now shipping for immediate delivery in standard configuration and it is also available with Windows XP if preferred.

The latest version of its JLT1214 touch screen PC for in-vehicle and other fixed-mount applications. Featuring a new Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM and Microsoft Windows 7.

The IP65-rated JLT1214 is ready to go right out of the box with all the features needed for demanding forklift trucks, cranes, industrial vehicles, production lines and plant applications. The computer provides built-in wireless connectivity (WLAN, high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), an uninterruptible power supply and power stabilisation for voltages ranging from 9 to 72V DC. With these features, the computer provides a unique one-for-all mobile solution for rugged industrial environments.

The computer runs all standard MS Windows programs and connects to any Windows-supported hardware using a range of interfaces - Bluetooth, USB and RJ45 10/100-TP Ethernet. 

With a chassis engineered from aircraft grade aluminium, the JLT1214 is one of the toughest fixed-mount PCs available. It is designed specifically to withstand extreme working conditions in hot, cold and damp or wet environments. Its IP65 water-tight and dust ingress rating and resilience to shock and vibration (tested at 5-500 Hz/4.5 g RMS 3 hours XYZ), enables trouble-free use shift after shift. In addition, the easy-to-use 12-inch touch screen display allows use in bright and poor light conditions. 

"With this latest upgrade, the JLT1214 offers even greater value for money with its combination of Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM and Windows 7 computing power, energy efficiency and high-speed communications. These features will revolutionise real-time in-vehicle mobile computing to provide a fully rugged solution for any demanding industrial application where only the toughest equipment will do. This advanced fixed-mount JLT PC undoubtedly sets a new benchmark for the fixed-mount computer market for innovation and return on investment," says Christian Funk, Product & Marketing Manager for JLT Mobile Computers.

JLT Mobile Computers in profile
JLT Mobile Computers is a leading developer of rugged computer solutions for the toughest environments. The computers of PC type is developed and manufactured in Sweden for professional users and is characterized by very high reliability in spite of moisture, dust, vibration, electromagnetic fields or temperature extremes - functions required for use in segments such as transport, warehousing, logistics, forestry, mining, automation , military and rescue vehicles. JLT operating worldwide with sales partners, mainly in Europe and the USA, and has delivered over 65 000 computers. JLT sales of approximately SEK 80 million and has more than 20 employees in Sweden and three employees at the affiliated company in England. The headquarter is situated in Växjö, Sweden. The company was founded in 1994 and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX First North, under the symbol JLT with E. Öhman J:or Fondkommission as certified advisor, since 2002.

For further information, view website: www.jltmobile.com or e-mail: mark.muslek@cmc.org.uk

'Lift and Shift' leak monitoring reduces water loss and costs

Veolia Water, the major water and wastewater management company, has been making use of recent developments in water leak detection technology to effectively manage water networks at an increased efficiency and lower cost. Halma Water Management's (HWM's) Permalog+ noise loggers have been employed by the company in a 'lift and shift' method to quickly, easily and accurately find and repair leaks.

The Permalog+ Technology
Permalog+ noise loggers are small devices deployed at points around the water network, where they monitor the noise levels on the pipes themselves. Changes and distinctive patterns in sound indicate the presence of leaks, often including ones that would otherwise go completely undetected. Mounted directly onto the pipes by a strong magnet, and battery-powered, the Permalog+ units can continuously monitor the section of piping around them for tell-tale signs of a leak. Once found, various telemetry and communication methods are available to alert leak detection operatives either immediately or at a specified time.

Pictures show; (Top) A noise logger technician installs a Permalog+. (Bellow) The logger's location is recorded with GPS tracking.

In a typical usage scenario, the data will either be collected or sent back to a central database, where each logger's location is displayed on a map with either a green flag for 'all clear' or a red flag to indicate a leak. Each logger's serial number, noise level and noise spread (the leak 'signature') is displayed alongside them on the map.

'Lift and Shift'
Veolia Water has 9 Noise Logger Technicians to carry out 'lift and shift' operations, with an average of over 80 individual Permalog+ units deployed and retrieved by each technician every day. The 'lift and shift' temporary installation method allows the use of a smaller number of units to cover a large area, effectively 'auditing' the network for leaks. As an alternative to a permanent installation, where the loggers would sit waiting and monitoring for new leaks in order to address them immediately, 'lift and shift' deployment actively searches for leaks throughout the network in a 'sweeping' pattern.

Leakage Teams will deploy loggers throughout the next targeted area (typically divided by DMA*), where they will remain overnight. The following day, the loggers are collected by the team, with a centralised record being made of where there are leaks and where the system is clear. These loggers can then be deployed to a new area, and so a rolling, sweeping search for leaks quickly progresses throughout the network.

In contrast to a 'permanent' deployment pattern, Permalog+s for use in a 'lift and shift' operation will be either pre-programmed at the factory or by the user with specially designed software to only transmit their recorded data when an operative swipes them with a magnet. There is no radio interference from other loggers nearby (stored in the car, for example), and the data is kept both secure and easily compartmentalised. This is obviously useful when the same loggers will eventually be deployed in many different locations - the fundamental point of the 'lift and shift' method.

Ease of Use
The Permalog+ units and system incorporate several recent technological innovations by HWM to make them more efficient and easier to use than ever before. The loggers can be pre-programmed, and can automatically record each deployed unit's serial number and location by GPS tracking. This means that deployment is very quick, and there is no longer a danger of misplacing loggers - or the maps of where they are - which of course means that retrieval is easy too.

The new Permalog+ version can also utilise the extended logging functionality of Aqualog. This records noise levels at set intervals over a longer time period of up to 29 days. This allows easy trending analysis and graphical representation of the data, providing for more detailed leak analysis and definite confirmation. User-configured or preset alarm threshold settings can be applied for different pipe types and diameters.

Results
Veolia Water has had excellent results from this operation, finding leaks with great speed and ease, leading to reduced costs from resources. The new GPS mapping technology tracks and makes visible the effort being applied by the one-man teams, and has resulted in a higher deployment rate than previously seen. It also gave the company an audit trail of loggers, ensuring accountability and precise location tracking.

With over 80 loggers per technician per day being deployed and collected, the speed of the activity means that detection time can be reduced when compared to other, more traditional leak-finding technologies and methods. A recent Veolia project that involved targeting 15 DMAs, covering some 28,000 properties, took only 32 days to sweep, and 96 leaks were detected. Because time lost is water lost, the speed of the search and therefore the swiftness of the response is key to minimising waste and reducing NRW** levels. Certainly, given the right application, noise loggers in the 'Lift and Shift' mode provide an excellent return on the investments of both time and funds. The fact that the Permalog+ system is very accurate in terms of both location and detection, as well as sensitive enough to find even 'hidden' leaks, makes it a powerful and effective tool in the ever more important fight against water loss.

For further information, view website: www.halma-water.com  Refer to page 261