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How WirelessHART makes it possible to consider monitoring applications, previously too expensive to implement with wired instruments.

Moazzam Shamsi, Emerson Installing new instruments in an existing process plant can provide information and improve the performance of steam traps, heat exchangers, pumps and other equipment. Moazzam Shamsi, Global Solutions Architect at Emerson Automation Solutions, explains why it can be difficult to justify these projects with conventional wired instrumentation. He says WirelessHART is the answer in his article, The Benefits of Going Wireless, page 3 of the October 2017 issue of the AFPM Show Daily:

 

Traditional wired control networks using 4-20 mA, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus PA or other solutions require power and signal wiring. The conduit, cable tray and other infrastructure needed for this wiring are a major cost component. This wiring infrastructure is not needed for battery-powered WirelessHART installations, as it is replaced by a wireless mesh network consisting of a gateway base station and repeaters.

 

The WirelessHART communications protocol is officially designated by the IEC 62591 standard, so it’s widely accepted across process industries. Moazzam says a WirelessHART project typically involves two or three parties: the end user, the systems integrator designing the system and installing the equipment, and the equipment vendor supplying the wireless instruments and communications infrastructure.

 

The systems integrator and wireless equipment vendor may be the same company. The end user typically produces a functional requirement specification that describes applications, wireless instrumentation and the necessary infrastructure for the wireless network. The end user must determine what points are to be measured, and then work with the wireless instrument vendor to ensure that appropriate devices are selected for both process and diagnostic measurement functions.

 

Because each WirelessHART instrument does not require wires for signals or communication, and often neither for power, the financial calculations determining whether a measurement should be made are very different than with wired instruments.

 

The significantly reduced cost for a wireless measurement should be taken into account when deciding whether or not a particular parameter should be monitored. In addition to flow, pressure, level and temperature measurements in conventional applications—such as on tanks, vessels, reactors, pipes and similar process equipment—WirelessHART makes it possible to consider applications previously too expensive to implement with wired instruments.

 

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