HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA (ISA 2004 Exhibition) – October 5, 2004 – The Foxboro Measurements and Instruments division of Invensys Process Systems has announced that the Foxboro IMV25 multivariable transmitter is now available with Modbus® digital communications. Foxboro also announced an expanded offering for this transmitter, including a new process interface structure, extended measurement ranges, and PC-based software to easily configure the transmitter. “The IMV25 multivariable transmitter provides economy and flexibility by enabling customers to replace separate static pressure, differential pressure, and temperature transmitters with a single transmitter that digitally communicates all three measurements to the customer’s system.
This saves not only the cost of the separate transmitters, but also the costs and issues associated with separate transmitter installation, wiring, and setup. Now we are able to make these benefits available to customers who are using Modbus communications protocol,” said Ken Brown, vice president and general manager of Foxboro Measurements and Instruments.The IMV25 multivariable transmitter has been available with HART and FoxCom communications, as well as an assignable 4 to 20 mA output signal, and is now also available with Modbus digital output for remote monitoring, configuration, and calibration.
The Modbus version communicates with host processors using the Modbus RTU mode through a two-wire RS 485 multidrop serial connection, which provides high data throughput at common baud rates. A configurator software package for Foxboro Modbus multivariable transmitters, Model PCMM, has also been introduced to provide convenient transmitter setup. Communications are accomplished through either a serial or USB-to-RS485 converter.Multivariable transmitters are often used with RTDs and differential head primary flow elements to measure and transmit variables that are used to calculate standard volume or mass flow rate.
A typical application for Modbus multivariable transmitters is natural gas flow rate measurement and a common installation technique is to mount the transmitter directly to a three- or five-valve manifold assembly that is supported by the process piping. To make this direct mounting easier, a new Low Profile™ structure has been added to the IMV25 multivariable transmitter. The Low Profile structure uses a compact sensor body to reduce the overall height of the transmitter and to allow use of process covers with process connections facing downward. This allows customers to use a common installation design for both competitive Coplanar™ and Foxboro Low Profile transmitters.
Low Profile transmitters are available with compact three or five-valve manifolds and are offered with an optional adapter plate to allow installation directly onto existing Coplanar manifolds for easy retrofit.The IMV25 is configurable for DP spans as high as 840 inH2O (210 kPa, 2100 mbar) and AP spans as high as 1500 psi (10 MPa, 103 bar or kg/cm2).
To better handle small span applications, a new 10 inH2O (2.5 kPa, 25 mbar) maximum DP span sensor has been added to the line.For more information on the IMV25 with Modbus communications, readers can contact their local Foxboro representative, visit the Foxboro Measurements and Instruments Web Site at www.foxboro.com/instrumentation or call (866) 746-6477.
About Foxboro M&I Division
The Foxboro Measurements and Instruments (M&I) Division has a long-standing reputation for providing world-class, measurement solutions. With a legacy of accurate, reliable and innovative products, the company prides itself on working with customers to achieve industry-best total solutions for optimum measurement or analysis of temperature, pressure, flow, and electrochemical variables.
About Invensys Process Systems
Process Systems, a business unit of Invensys plc, provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimization of industrial process plants. Invensys Process Systems includes industry-leading brands such as Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, and Avantis, whose products are installed in more than 100,000 plants across the world.
These range from small hybrid and batch plants to the world’s largest refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, power plants, pulp and paper mills, and mineral processing plants.The Invensys Group ( www.invensys.com ) is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.