GA21 - triple validation unit:  This back of panel instrument monitors three independent analog inputs from transducers and compares them against a tolerance band. The GA21 outputs an average signal only of those inputs within the tolerance and alarms on out of tolerance conditions.

Orange Instruments has always included servo positioners within its standard ranges. These instruments have been developed to service three areas of industry:

1. Quarter turn single phase electric actuators
2. Three phase servo actuators for dosing pump stroke control
3. Electro-hydraulic linear and rotary process valve actuators

Quarter turn and multi-turn electric actuator positioner 

Orange Instruments currently produces the following equipment: 

PB2003:  This printed circuit card is designed to control actuators with reversible single phase motors and potentiometer feedback. A version is available for dc motors. The instrument is calibrated via a simple two-step process and the card has a simple manual control station for commissioning purposes. The PB2003 provides a 4-20mA output proportional to the actual position of the actuator.

AP51:  This is a more compact version of the PB2003 and provides similar functions but has no manual station. The unit has inputs for volt-free end of travel limits. There is a 24Vdc drive version.

Orange Instruments can provide support and repair facilities for earlier equipment such as the PB50 and PB90 positioner cards.

Three phase servo actuators for dosing pump stroke control 

Orange Instruments currently produces the following equipment: 

GP30:  This is a back panel instrument that will operate a reversing contractor to control a three phase motor using potentiometer positional feedback. The GP30 provides a 4-20mA output proportional to the actual position of the actuator. A simple manual station is situated on the front of the instrument.

GS400:  This is a 72 x 72 front panel instrument. The unit has the same control capabilities as the GP30 but has a display of actuator position 0-100% and manual station on the front panel. The unit has inputs for volt-free end of travel limits. There is a 24Vdc version.

Electro-hydraulic linear and rotary process valve actuators 

Orange Instruments has a long history of producing positioners for electro-hydraulic actuator. Original applications were in power generation controlling furnace dampers and steam valves but there has been a steady progression to production and process control within the oil and gas industries. Many instruments were produced as custom devices for particular customers but the following units are available for general sale:

AP2000:  This is a back panel instrument for use with 115/230V 50/60Hz and 24Vdc supplies and solenoids. The instrument offers an isolated re-transmitted position signal, simple calibration and default action (drive up/down, freeze) in the event of a command signal failure. This unit accepts a potentiometer or 4-20mA current feedback and replaces the older analog AP500 that relied upon LVDT position feedback. Orange Instruments can still repair AP500 positioners and provide a limited number of new units for spares.

IRP200:  This is a fully functioned positioner designed for use within hazardous areas using Eexd as the protection method. Uniquely, the positioner can be configured and calibrated via an infra link from an Intrinsically Safe keypad (IR900) through a glazed window in an Eexd enclosure. The operator can read instrument parameters and performance from a two-line liquid crystal display visible though the glazed window in the enclosure. The instrument operates from 24Vdc and responds to a 4-20mA command signal with potentiometric, two-wire device or normal 4-20mA feedback. Normal continuous solenoid control is available or stepped control with fully adjustable on/off times to slow and precise valve control. The IRP200 can control a system hydraulic pump either on demand or to an operating band set by pressure switches. Contact closure interlocks can inhibit local control without permission from a remote site. The IRP200 is a replacement for the older ACS900. Orange Instruments can still service the ACS900 and provide limited new spares for existing installations.

EX200:  This positioner is designed for Eexd housings and will give solenoid control in response to a 4-20mA command signal with potentiometric or current feedback. The power supply is 24Vdc with a maximum operational supply current of 55mA making it ideal for solar/battery-powered installations. The instrument can control and monitor a self-contained hydraulic pump. Instrument configuration is by internal jumper links (solenoid sense and signal break fault mode) and by front panel switches for stepping operation. The positioner is a natural successor to the ACS603 for oil and gas applications.

IS200:  This unit is a variant of the EX200 and has an ATEX Type Certification II 1 G enabling operation within a hazardous area as an Intrinsically Safe device. It has the same facilities as the EX200 with the exception of the self-contained pump control.

EPC100:  This is a "stripped down" printed circuit card positioner designed to fit into the smallest Eexd enclosure thus cutting installation costs and weight. It is a 24Vdc supply unit with instrument configuration via printed circuit "blobs". Calibration is carried out with a plug-in calibrator - purged area use only.

SB2003:  This positioner is a variant of the PB2003 quarter turn actuator positioner re-designed for electro-hydraulic solenoid operation. It is a "halfway-house" between the EPC100 and the EX200, being a low cost unit with an integral manual station.

Orange Instruments have been involved with hazardous area applications for over 25 years. Most early work involved the packaging of instruments in explosion proof housings for use in hazardous areas or the design and wiring of barrier panels for intrinsically safe installations. In the early 1990's, Orange developed its own multi-turn EExd actuator for use with needle valves in high-pressure pipe-line injection. At the same time Orange produced the IR900 intrinsically safe keypad for use with the ACS900 positioner described above. Both these pieces of equipment were built under an EECS manufacturing licence gained following detailed auditing of our existing ISO9000 quality certification. Recently, Orange Instruments has renewed this manufacturing licence under ATEX following changes in our quality system to ISO9000-2000, now audited by Baseefa. 

Orange currently has Type Examination Certificates for the IR900 keypad and for the IS200 positioner. Orange can package instrumentation into explosion proof enclosures and obtain certification via INIEX. Past applications have included self contained electro-hydraulic valve actuator systems for wellhead choke valves and separator systems and pipe-line chemical dosing skids with multiple electric drives and actuators.

Most of Orange Instruments sales were initially driven from custom applications for a number of industrial partners. In their time, these applications were industry standards in their field. They include:

• Analog temperature monitoring equipment for industrial gas turbines, with systems over 25 years old still in service today.

• Ingredient dosing process monitoring via single instruments and large scale computer control.

• Dedicated temperature spread monitoring for naval and industrial gas turbines, creating a range of instrumentation still recommended by major manufacturers for predictive maintenance of equipment.

• Control instruments for fish farm feeding by pneumatic conveying, used extensively in Scotland and South America.

• Paper take-up device for use with a till roll printer. This is an electro-mechanical device designed to match the manufacturers printer. The unit is in current production with a past manufacture of well over 10,000 pieces.

• Microprocessor controlled back-wash cleaner for water filters. Many hundred unit have been manufactured

• A range of dedicated equipment for controlling gasification and distribution of consumer gas on Guernsey over the past 18 years.

• Ongoing research and development of electro-hydraulic valve positioning equipment for a number of actuator and valve manufacturers and end users.

For further information on custom design, please Contact Us via email.