PhotoElectric Switches and Sensors

Sords Electric Sells Photo Electric Switches and Sensors

Photoelectric switches use a light source to detect an object. The switch then changes it's logic or switch to make an action, like an alarm or movement of a device.

The photoelectric switch uses either visible light or infrared light as it's source. The object being sensed should be reflective for a diffuse switch or the use of a reflector is required and the object breaks "the beam" as in an elevator or garage door switch.

A thru beam system utilizes a transmitter and receiver. the Transmitter sends out the light beam and is directed at a receiver unit. Both units need to be powered and interconnected together for the system to work. Advantages are the longest field of view is achieved and the most secure sensing is realized via polarization. The main disadvantage is that each unit must be wired and interconnected together. A "thru beam" system can also be utilized using a reflector. this is called retro-reflective. The retro-reflective system has the advantage over a thru beam of all the logic and power supply being located in one box and one area. It is also more secure like the thru beam system by using polarizing filters that turn the light and only allow the correct "polarization" to be sensed by the receiver. The retro-reflective unit as the receiver and transmitter housed in a single unit. Thru Beam and Retro-reflective systems are used for counting, sorting and sensing the presence of an object or person for safety or security reasons.

The Diffuse system relies on the object being reflective, these are usually used in an industrial setting sensing a product or color code or marking on a product or box. Like the retro-reflective unit the transmitter and receiver are in the same unit. The distance is usually quite short so that the reflected light is able to be sensed. The target does not usually have the reflective qualities of a reflector. A diffuse system is used when a thru beam or retro-reflective cannot be used or when sensing color or a bar code.

All Photo Electric systems need an output to communicate with the PLC or system logic. Most use NPN or PNP logic but some have built in relays (1 amp usually) to give the output signal. The signal can go to a computer, PLC or directly to the system like a motor or contactor or alarm.

Call Sords Electric for more information or for application help.

Electric Tankless Water Heaters

Sords Electric Sell Electric Tankless Heaters.

A tankless heater heats water as it passes through the heater.  It does not store hot water like a traditional tank water heater.  The tankless heater turns on when it senses flow, heats the water and hot water flow out the outlet.  When the flow of the water stops, a flow switch detects this and the tankless heater turns off.  Tankless heaters only use electricity when they are providing hot water.  A tank heater is continually using electricity by keeping the water hot waiting for a faucet to be turned on.

There are tankless heaters designed for the whole house, just sinks or for use in industrial plants.

Industrial use tankless heaters are sometimes called inline heaters or circulation heaters.  They can be made quite large to heat large volumes of water, gases or oils.  In home or commercial use tankless heaters are smaller and require less power to operate.

Tankless heaters do have a limitation.  The limitation is the amount of flow that the heater can heat.  For example, our 17 kilowatt (kw) heater (AE115) designed to operate in a home in the southern USA, can heat a flow rate of 2.5 gpm of water, 45 degrees F.  Meaning that the water temperature will be raised 45 degrees from the inlet temperature to the outlet temperature.  At a higher flow rate the degree change will be less, and at lower flow rates the change will be greater.  The 27 kw heater (AE125) will raise the the water 45 degrees at a 4.0 gpm flow rate and 65 at the 2.5 gpm.  2.5 gpm is a standard shower flow rate.  

Both of the AE tankless heaters heaters require larger breakers in the electrical panel than a tank heater.  The AE115 requires 2 x 40 amp two pole breakers and the AE 125 requires 3 x 40 amp breakers.  Both heaters operate on 220-240 volts AC.  Also the wire gauge needs to be 8 to carry the larger amperage load.

The tankless heater will save on electrical usage since it is only heating water when it is required.  A tank heater is on for many hours a day and also on when no one is home, thus wasting electricity.  A tankless heater can use up to 1/2 the amount of power to heat your water.  Another advantage is the tankless heater takes up very little space and can be located just about anywhere in the home.

Sords Electric has electric tankless heaters for sinks, AE7.2, AE9.5 and AE12 Power Stream heaters.  These heaters draw 30, 40 and 50 amps respectively.  We also carry the AE115 and AE125 for whole house use.  The amperages are 80 and 120.  Only one shower can be run at a time but back to back showers can be run all day long.

Sords Electric