Temperature measurement technology based on resistance thermometers or thermocouples is widely used in many applications. To integrate them into a digitalised environment, ifm now offers an IO-Link temperature measurement module.
In most cases, temperature measurement in industrial production environments is based on two physical effects: the temperature dependence of a resistor or the thermoelectric effect (Seebeck effect). ifm now offers new IO-Link temperature measurement modules for such resistance thermometers (Pt100 and Pt1000) and thermocouples (type J and type K). The measured temperature values are then made available digitally via IO-Link to higher-level controllers.
Parameter setting via IO-Link
The resistance thermometers and thermocouples are connected via four M12 connectors on the module. The resistance thermometers can be connected using 2-wire, 3-wire or 4-wire technology. The individual connections can be configured conveniently via IO-Link. The type of measuring element – Pt100, Pt100, thermocouple type J or type K – can be specified there.
Depending on the measuring line, the parameters ‘cold junction offset’ and ‘zero-point calibration’ can also be set for the thermocouples. The resolution of the temperature measurement with the new module is 0.01 °C, and the accuracy over the entire measuring range is 0.3 %. With a protection rating of IP67 or IP69K, the modules can also be used in harsh industrial environments.
The new IO-Link temperature measurement modules are suitable for all applications in which several temperatures need to be detected and in which measuring resistors or thermocouples are used. A typical example is thermoforming of components for vehicle interiors where precise temperature control over the entire component is important. The new modules can also be used in machine tools, packaging machines and ore processing in mining.