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| WHAT'S NEW: LEE-DICKENS INSTRUMENTATION ACHIEVES
SIL2 RATING
The continuing drive to improve the performance, reliability and standardisation of safety systems led to the IEC61508 standard `Functional Safety of electrical/ electronic/programmable electronic safety related systems', which defines safety integrity levels (SIL) as measures of the safety of a given process. The Lee-Dickens range including BD100, BD120, BM100, BM120, BD300, BM303, BM916, BD320 and BM320 products feature `excellent circuit design' that enables them to achieve the SIL2 classification where some comparable products on the market only manage SIL1. In addition the Lee-Dickens products are all non processor based, which is especially important to industries such as oil and gas, nuclear power generation and steel. These same industries are also now demanding that instrumentation being implemented into new installations achieve a rating of at least SIL2 or preferably higher. Signal converters currently on the market largely fail to meet these demands, so the Lee-Dickens range become increasingly desirable especially as they remain price competitive. The BD100/BM100 are single level trip amplifiers and the BD120/BM120 are dual level trip amplifiers, each from a single process signal input. The BD300/BM303 are isolating signal converters, which will convert a range of process signals into standard transmission voltage or current signals. The BD320/BM320 are also isolating signal converters, which convert process signals into two independently isolated current or voltage outputs. Finally the BM916 is a low input impedance isolating signal converter suitable for conversion of a mA signal into an isolated current or voltage output where minimal input loop resistance is important. SIL Ratings The advantage for end users selecting a product with a SIL rating and accompanying assessment summary is that reliability calculations are already performed and available to the end user. The user also has the security of knowing that a third party has reviewed the reliability statistics for the product, and most importantly the attached certification report that accompanies each product contains important information ranging from restrictions of use to diagnostics within the device and also reliability statistics.
MULTI-CHANNEL ANALOGUE ADDER/SUBTRACTOR
Lee-Dickens recognise that the current product serving the market has become ever harder to source and feel they are perfectly positioned to produce a cost effective replacement product for the many hundreds of existing applications in the nuclear, steel and utilities industries. The BD940 is a signal converter that will add or subtract between two and four scaleable input mA or Voltage signals and one internal scaleable constant. The BD940 then converts the resultant into an isolated standard transmission voltage or current signal. Each channel can be added to or subtracted from the equation by means of links, now located behind the easily accessible front panel (the only major improvement to the original product) and each channel has a scaling potentiometer for overall gain control. Setting up the scaling for each channel is affected by reference to an internal voltage brought out to the external terminals. The BD940 can be supplied with either a 115 or 230 AC power supply. A 9-30 DC option is also available (model number BM940). The unit has an operating temperature range of -20 to +60 degreesC and works in humidity up to 95%. The Lee-Dickens manufacturing centre in Northamptonshire is able to produce this high quality, but now niche product at a reasonable cost. The BD940 enables end users to replace current equipment and extend the life of the plant without having to buy new racks or spend vast amounts of time and money rewiring. Furthermore, replacing like-for-like products in specialist applications will remove the requirement for re-training and may negate the requirement for submitting a new safety case.
LEE-DICKENS BESPOKE DESIGN & MANUFACTURING
FACILITY TO REPLACE OTHER MANUFACTURERS INSTRUMENTS THAT HAVE BECOME
OBSOLETE Replacing obsolete instruments on a large scale not only requires capital expenditure on the instruments themselves, but also time and money for the re-wiring of the panels to accommodate any new shapes and mounting formats of instruments with the same functionality. Lee-Dickens can look into designing a new instrument with the same specification, size, look and feel as the original and that can be supported for a further 15 to 20 years. Examples of instrument formats already covered include:
ISOLATED FREQUENCY TO CURRENT/VOLTAGE CONVERTER
The BM200 can be configured for use with a wide variety of transducers that produce a pulse or sine wave output. The unit converts the input signal into an industry standard isolated mA current or voltage output. Because the BM200 produces an isolated output, it enables frequency-to-current/voltage-conversion without the worry of earth loop problems. The BM200 is ideal for use with proximity sensors for non-contact speed measurement or monitoring the speed of rotating machinery such as turbine flow meters that give an analogue measurement of flow rate. The unit can be used in conjunction with a Lee-Dickens BM100/BM120 trip amplifier to give alarm, control or shutdown facilities at preset levels of speed. The BM200 incorporates both a sensitivity adjustment (a potentiometer located behind the fascia of the instrument).and a reference voltage to allow a variety of sensor types. The DIN rail mountable BM200 has either 2 or 3 wire inputs and accepts an input frequency range of between 0 and 20KHz. It has a universal DC power supply of between 8 and 30 Volts. The unit operates in a temperature range of 0 to 45 degrees C.
LEE-DICKENS MANUFACTURES SALINOMETER FOR
ROLLS-ROYCE
Rolls-Royce has selected Lee-Dickens, to design and manufacture a new onboard Salinometer to test the quality of water used as primary coolant for a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) power plant. An onboard Salinometer is necessary as water may be taken on board anywhere in the world and an extremely accurate and reliable measurement is essential to ensure the absence of elements in the water. The new Salinometer has been designed with the same size footprint as the previous model to satisfy any retrofit requirement. The new product is also backwardly compatible with the original termination block, but the rest of the product has been updated to comply with the latest Naval Engineering Standard NES 501, Def Stan 59-41 EMC (below decks) and NES 1004 for submarine environments, including respective shock and vibration levels. The Salinometer consists of a purpose-built ruggedised housing containing the Panel Electronic Circuit (PEC), which is designed and manufactured by Lee-Dickens. A Crompton meter on the front provides a visual ph reading. There are a number test buttons including a basic circuit test and an alarm test. The alarm would activate if the ph level ever exceeded a pre-set value. Because there are long periods between usage there is an internal heater to prevent condensation. As part of the design Lee-Dickens is to produce a new external sensor that sits in the pipeline. The sensor is extremely sensitive making measurements in units of micro siemens and therefore it is very important to be able to clean and maintain the probe. For this reason there was a need to gain easy access to the probe. Lee-Dickens therefore incorporated into the design a special mechanical device that allows the probe to be extracted from the pipe but at the same time still manages to maintain a sealed pipe with up to 15-bar pressure. Lee-Dickens has initially manufactured three Salinometers with the first tested by Rolls-Royce in the fourth quarter of 2004. "Lee-Dickens has been sourcing and constructing military equipments for many years including the capability to undertake mechanical design and manufacturing. This is perfect for the Salinometer project, which requires a purpose built PCB and a new sensor probe design. Lee-Dickens is also a GS3001 and ISO 9000 approved supplier, essential for a contract such as this." said Gyles Dickens, Divisional Director Lee-Dickens.
SUB-CONTRACTING SCOPE EXPANDED BY STATE-OF-ART
SURFACE-MOUNT ASSEMBLY LINE
The new surface-mount machine will complement the through-hole capability currently offered by Lee-Dickens, allowing the Company to address subcontracting and contracts that require a mix and match of surface-mount and through-hole assembly jobs, particularly those requiring smaller batch build. "Lee-Dickens have been flying the flag for Great Britain by competing fiercely with Far East electronics assembly companies for a number of years. By offering design, test and assembly to ISO 9000 standard we can compete for a wide range of electronic subcontracting jobs. The new surface-mount line gives us the unusual advantage of being able to undertake both through-hole and surface-mount and we believe it will help us increase our business still further. Not many companies can offer this service so we are filling a gap in the subcontracting market," said Gyles Dickens, Divisional Director Lee-Dickens. Lee-Dickens has undertaken subcontracting design, manufacturing, assembly and test jobs for over 20 years, with a special focus on plated through-hole assembly and wiring. The emergence of surface-mount as the preferred method of assembly has eroded the through-hole market but there is still a genuine need for that type of work especially by the military, albeit on smaller batches. Supplied by Blundells of Coventry, Lee Dickens has invested around £50,000 on the assembly line, which consists of a laser-centring pick and place machine with 120 feeders, a semi-automatic screen printer, and a convection reflow oven. The TWS Quadra laser machine has a real time placement rate of 3500 components per hour and will place a wide variety of SMDs down to 5mm pitch. Lee-Dickens has already taken orders for jobs requiring both assembly methods and regard the investment in the new machine to be an instant success.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY TRANSMITTER RECEIVES
ATEX APPROVAL FOR DUSTY ATMOSPHERES Lee-Dickens ATEX approved intrinsically safe relative humidity transmitters have now received full Baseefa certification for use in potentially explosive dusty environments. The HP140IS and HP150IS, are duct and wall mounting relative humidity transmitters aimed at potentially hazardous or explosive applications in industries such as gas, petrochemical, or bulk solids. Both products are approved to Ex II 1GD EEx ia IIC T4 for use in Zone 20 conditions. Certificate number Baseefa 03ATEX0101X/1. The probes, which use a capacitive sensor, operate as two wire transmitters and produce a 4 to 20mA output proportional to 0 to 100% relative humidity, with accuracy <±2.0% for 0 to 95% relative humidity. The sensor is suitable for use in operating temperatures from -10 to +100°C and the electronics from -10 to +70°C The HP140IS probe and flange are constructed of stainless steel and come fitted as standard with a sintered bronze guard. The HP150IS has a plastic cage as standard and each probe comes with mating connector. Power supply voltage and interface from the safe area to the transmitter is via approved barriers available from Lee-Dickens.
ATEX APPROVED INTRINSICALLY SAFE RELATIVE
HUMIDITY TRANSMITTERS
The HP140IS and HP150IS are duct and wall mounting relative humidity transmitters aimed at potentially hazardous or explosive applications in industries such as gas, petrochemical, or bulk solids. Both products are approved to EEx iia IIC T4 Tamb = 70°C for use in Zone 0 conditions. Certificate number Baseefa03ATEX0101X. The probes, which use a capacitive sensor, operate as two wire transmitters and produce a 4 to 20mA output proportional to 0 to 100% relative humidity, with accuracy <±2.0% for 0 to 95% relative humidity. The sensor is suitable for use in operating temperatures from -10 to +100°C and the electronics from -10 to +70°C. The HP140IS probe and flange are constructed of stainless steel and come fitted as standard with a sintered bronze guard. The HP150IS has a plastic cage as standard and each probe comes with mating connector. Power supply voltage and interface from the safe area to the transmitter is via approved barriers available from Lee-Dickens.
TRIP AMPLIFIERS ARE SMALLER AND CHEAPER
The new modules are 30% cheaper than existing modules, and, measuring just 98.5 x 77.5 x 24mm, they are much smaller too. A wide range of process inputs can be handled, including thermocouples, RTDs and potentiometers, plus DC current and voltages. The output of the BD100 is a single pole change over relay capable of switching 2A. The trip action can be arranged so that the alarm condition can be above (High Trip) or below (Low Trip) the set point. The relay can either normally be energised to de-energise in the alarm condition (Fail-Safe), or normally de-energised to energise in the Alarm condition (Non-Fail-Safe). BD100 can optionally be supplied with a second single pole contact. BD120 has two 2A relay outputs as standard. Both models are mains powered. Lee Dickens BD range of modular instruments also includes many types of signal conditioning and processing functions. They are ideal for use in applications where signals need to be changed, processed or transmitted and often find use during commissioning and maintenance work. Engineered in compact packages they represent the most cost-effective and value-for-money product offerings available today. Picture: A picture called BD100-120.jpg is available in high resolution colour format from www.ggh.co.uk/clients.htm
TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE Placing them apart from the majority of the competition is that either of the outputs can be a current or voltage in any mV or mA range - for example 1 x 4-20mA and 1 x 0-10V. Most similar devices output two mA signals OR two mV signals. Inputs can be any of the common mV or mA types. Also distinguishing the BD320 and BM320 is the ability to handle AC current and AC voltage inputs. AC input ranges can be up to 5A or up to 250V respectively. Two outputs from one input is useful when differing sets of equipment must be driven by one signal, for example when a local indicator is needed for the operator and a telemetry system has to transmit the same signal to a control centre located long distances away. BM320 and BD320 are expected to find application in many sectors of industry, including water and gas distribution, chemical plants, factories, pumping stations and similar. BM320 requires a low-voltage AC or DC supply while BD320 operates from 115/220 VAC. The Beta range - a 'second generation' design for Lee-Dickens, and following in the proven footsteps of its famous Alpha range - was launched in 2001 offering superior performance in a lower cost package. Cost savings of up to 30% result from the use of advanced technology components, which also provide enhanced reliability and accuracy. Picture: A picture called BM-BD320.jpg (right) is available in high resolution colour format from www.ggh.co.uk/clients.htm
QUICK-LEE DOES IT @ www.lee-dickens.biz
Lee-Dickens, the Northamptonshire-based instrumentation company, has unveiled a brand new web site providing end users, OEMS, designers and maintenance staff in industry with comprehensive on-line information about process instrumentation such as signal conditioners, RH, temperature, pressure and load sensors, and digital indicators. A special feature of the site is the new QUICK-LEE service, by which visitors can purchase a selected range of 'off-the-shelf' products for delivery within 24 hours, using a company or personal credit card for payment. www.lee-dickens.biz is an entirely revamped Company web site with one of the new .biz web domain addresses. "This is to reflect our new approach to on-line supply," said Gyles Dickens, Sales and Marketing Director. "Many of our process instruments are used to solve unforeseen automation problems which by their nature need an 'urgent' response. By going on-line we are aiming to make products available more quickly than ever - hence the QUICK-LEE title. Whenever possible, overnight mail delivery will be offered, and special deliveries will be implemented on request." www.lee-dickens.biz lists every current Lee-Dickens product, together with information about them all including overview descriptions and pdf download sheets with detailed specifications. The site is therefore a rich source of information which can be used for designing and engineering solutions in the field. Those products that are not available for purchase from the site at present can be quoted separately using an on-line form. The site also contains full information about the Company and the SCADA and Telemetry products offered by Lee-Dickens' Systems Division. Products available for purchase on-line include:
As experience grows Lee-Dickens will extend on-line purchases to other products in the catalogue.
LEVEL ACQUISITION EXTENDS INSTRUMENTATION
RANGE
Series 80 and Series 81 families originated with the Fielden company in 1978 and are used in applications ranging from solids handling to process control and from bore holes to tank farms. The two ranges were acquired by ABB Automation via the Foster Cambridge and Kent companies. Lee-Dickens has purchased all stock, goodwill and current order books. Manufacturing and test facilities have been transferred to Lee-Dickens' Desborough site. Existing orders are now being met from Desborough and new orders are already being accepted so there will be no interruption to business, says Gyles Dickens, Sales and Marketing Director of Lee-Dickens. "We are pleased to have acquired these ranges because they add significantly to our portfolio and are a perfect complement to our other process products, which cover temperature, pressure and load instrumentation as well as signal conditioning. Series 80/81 are both well known in many industries for their dependability, robustness and cost-effectiveness. They offer considerable customisation potential in terms of materials, lengths, sizes, etc and we believe we are in an ideal position to support and grow that kind of market. We anticipate that the acquisition will add considerably to our turnover and secure further UK manufacturing jobs." Lee-Dickens will support all existing customers and are now actively promoting both ranges. ABB is providing background support for Lee-Dickens during the transition period. New investment is promised to enhance the performance and capability of many models. "Customers can be assured we will support continued production and indeed investment in the Series 80/81 technologies," said Dickens. "We are also planning some developments that should provide increased benefits for users and stimulate new applications. 'Smart' interfaces are top of this list." Series 80 is capacitance-based level technology. The familiar Tektor range of switches and the Telstor range of transmitters are available in rod, rope, brush and flexible forms for applications as diverse as solids level measurement and tank farm level measurements. The conductivity-based Series 81 switches - better known as NoFlote - can be used in a variety of applications ranging from water, sewage and dilute acids in tanks. The NoFlote technology also suits borehole measurements. |
Lee-Dickens,
the UK instrumentation manufacturer announce that its range of high
quality trip amplifiers and signal converters have in most cases
been assessed and awarded SIL2 rating (with a proof test interval
of one year) by the independent safety integrity consultant - RM
Consultants. 
Lee-Dickens
are to manufacture a four channel analogue adder/subtractor for
like-for-like replacement of products in existing applications.
Instrumentation
specialist Lee-Dickens, has released a frequency to current/voltage
converter with built-in isolation and a universal DC power supply
that enables legacy pulse emitting devices to communicate with new
equipment requiring current or voltage inputs. 
Instrumentation
specialist Lee-Dickens, Northamptonshire, UK, announce that they
have been chosen to design and manufacture a new Salinometer for
Rolls-Royce plc for use in the next generation of Royal Navy Nuclear
powered attack submarines, known as The Astute Class, being manufactured
by BAE. 
Lee-Dickens
has installed a state of the art TWS Quadra surface-mount assembly
line in their factory in Northamptonshire, enabling the company
to expand greatly the type of sub-contract work it undertakes. 
Instrumentation
specialist Lee-Dickens, has released its first ever range of ATEX
approved intrinsically safe relative humidity transmitters, believed
to be the only products of their type on the market. 
Lee-Dickens
has added two DIN-rail mounted trip amplifiers to its Beta range
of products at a size and cost that improves on anything else currently
available. BD100 and BD120 are single and dual level trip amplifiers
respectively. They are extremely versatile and are suitable for
a vast array of applications ranging from over-temperature monitoring
on generators; to pressure or level switching a 4-20mA signal from
a transmitter; to producing a digital signal for an alarm panel.
Lee-Dickens
has extended its next-generation Beta range of signal conditioning
equipment to include two new signal converters - BD320 and BM320
- which provide two independent current or voltage outputs from
a single input. 
Northamptonshire-based
Lee-Dickens has acquired two families of conductivity and capacitance
level probes from ABB Automation Ltd.