Tek-Trol Instrumentation
Tek-Trol’s measuring devices have a reputation for excellent performance in the most demanding and complex process environments, where other devices might fail. This special kind of instrumentation is within the wheelhouse of Tek-Trol, which has an engineering team and a modern manufacturing base trained and capable of making reliable devices. Tek-Trol is primarily a flow measurement company. Its product line includes a number of high-performance flow measuring devices based on different principles of operation. For example, the Tek-Trol line of flow measuring devices includes an ultrasonic flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, and several other kinds of flow meters that are designed for specific applications and kinds of fluids.
In engineering these flow measuring devices, and other related devices for level measurement, pressure measurement, and temperature measurement, Tek-Trol has incorporated a number of features and design principles that have become hallmarks of its modern, reliable instrumentation. They have established a reputation for making sturdy, user-friendly instruments and for providing responsive engineering support. Recent developments in modern manufacturability and smart instrumentation have Tek-Trol well-positioned to continue its establishment as a reliable go-to for accurate, efficient, and affordable process control.
FAQs
What does Tek-Trol specialize in?
Tek-Trol focuses on flow, level, pressure, and temperature measurement technologies for industrial process control.
What types of flow meters does Tek-Trol offer?
They offer ultrasonic, electromagnetic, Coriolis, vortex, and turbine flow meters for liquids, gases, and slurries.
What level measurement devices does Tek-Trol make?
Tek-Trol manufactures radar level transmitters, ultrasonic level sensors, guided-wave radar, and hydrostatic level transmitters.
Does Tek-Trol offer pressure instruments?
Yes. Tek-Trol provides differential pressure transmitters, gauge pressure transmitters, and other pressure sensors for industrial processes.
Do Tek-Trol devices support digital communication?
Many Tek-Trol instruments offer outputs such as 4–20 mA, HART, Modbus, and other digital protocols for automation systems.
Analog and Digital Control Signals: The Basics
Digital Signals
Digital signals are represented in either a true or false. There is no gray area with digital signals. An example of this might be a light switch. A light switch is either on or off. Another example of this might be a motor that is running or not running. Digital signals can be generated with both AC and DC circuits with varying voltages, currents and resistance. Some practical examples of using digital signals in an industrial environment might be if a pump is running or not running or a whether a valve is open or closed.
Analog Signals
Analog signals convey information in the form of a range. A light switch might be on or off as a digital signal, but a dimmer switch would be an analog signal. It can be on or off, but it can also be somewhere in between. A practical example of using analog signals in an industrial environment would be if there is a need to measure the level of a tank; whether it's full, empty or somewhere in between. Analog signals can take many different forms with some of the more common being a 4 to 20 milliamp signal or a 0 to 5 or 0 to 10 volt signal.
Communication
Communication in a device can either be sent or received. Whether that data is sent or received depends on the type of information. Is there a need to monitor the status of something? If so, an input needs to be received about that information. Is there a need to control something? If so, an output needs to be sent about what needs to occur. Receiving inputs and setting outputs are both things that can be accomplished by using both digital and analog signal types. Therefore, the signals are referred to as analog outputs (AO), analog inputs (AI), digital inputs (DI) or digital outputs (DO).