In my last post I talked about UL Listed versus Recognized. This time we are going to take a look at the IP and NEMA ratings and what they mean. With this information you should be able to decide what minimum level of protection you need for your application.
Let’s start with the basics. What does IP and NEMA stand for? IP stands for ingress protection and NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Both IP and NEMA are rating systems for equipment that might be exposed to liquids, rain, ice, corrosion and contaminates such as dust.
An IP number contains two numbers (i.e. IP65) in most instances which relate to the level of protection provided by an enclosure or housing. The first number relates to protection from solids as follows: Read more…
Thermal mass flow controllers and thermal mass flow meters are used to measure and control the flows of gases. The measuring terminology usually includes words like “standard” or “normal” flow. A standard cubic foot of gas is the same as an actual cubic foot of gas only if the measurements are taken at some standard set of conditions (STP); like 70 degrees F and one atmosphere ambient pressure. If the ambient conditions change, you may never know how much gas you have in a volumetric measuring chamber, but, if you use a device that measures standard cubic feet of gas, you will always know the flow.
Thermal mass flow controllers and meters use a sensor that measures standard units. If you are measuring 30 psi nitrogen at 100 degrees F, the device will indicate the amount of standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) flowing or it could indicate in standard liters per minute (SLPM). Either way, you can change the actual temperature and the actual pressure and the measuring device will still indicate flow in standard units.
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We are focusing on improving our order fulfillment process because we know it will result in faster lead times and more satisfied customers. I want to provide a “peek” into our lean manufacturing journey, share my personal experiences and include a photo or two of our rotameter assembly lines.
The improvement process starts by defining in great detail how we do things today. It is difficult to change a process without totally understanding what you are doing today. Once this first step is completed a cross functional team reviews each step of the process and as a group looks for areas of improvement. I have participated in these group sessions and they are very powerful due to the free exchange of ideas. Each suggestion is noted, debated and usually implemented. Possible ideas can be as simple as organizing the workspace which reduces operator movement and “travel time” to adding new test equipment or assembly fixtures.
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Brooks Instrument knows a lot about agency approvals. If you need a mass flow controller, mass flow meter, or pressure controller for a hose down or hazardous area requirement you came to the right place! We not only have the approvals, but we can also help you understand which approval is right for your application. For example, what’s the difference between UL ‘Listed’ and UL ‘Recognized’ and which one is right for my application?
Well the UL Listed products carry the following mark.
This means that the product has been tested by UL to nationally recognized Safety Standards and has been found to be free from reasonably foreseeable risk of fire, electric shock and related hazards in a Division 2 / Zone 2 environment. The Brooks SLAMF Series thermal mass flow meter/mass flow controller and pressure controllers, and the Quantim IP65 Coriolis mass flow meter/mass flow controller products are all UL listed.
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