TQ442 111-442-000-012 A2-B1-C040-D000-E100-F2-G100-H10 Meggitt Proximity Transducer

The TQ442 111-442-000-012 A2-B1-C040-D000-E100-F2-G100-H10 is an eddy current displacement measurement system meticulously engineered by Meggitt's vibro-meter product line to address the dual challenges of high-precision monitoring in hazardous areas and demanding installation environments. This system integrates intrinsic safety (Ex ia, option A2) as its core safety feature, combines it with the compact geometry of a 90° right-angle mount (TQ442 sensor) , and incorporates 10 meters of integral cable with full-length stainless steel flexible hose protection (E100 + F2 + G100) , creating a solution that achieves excellence in safety, accessibility, and durability. It is exceptionally well-suited for critical rotating machinery monitoring points located in explosive gas atmospheres, extremely confined spaces, and complex cabling paths within industries such as oil & gas, chemical, and power generation. Typical applications include shaft vibration and axial position monitoring inside turbine bearing housings, near compressor casings, or within confined spaces of pumps.

This system is based on the globally proven, highly stable eddy current principle and consists of a precision-calibrated TQ442 right-angle sensor and an IQS450 signal conditioner (sensitivity to be selected separately). The A2 option grants the entire system (sensor, cable, conditioner) Ex ia intrinsic safety certification from international authorities like ATEX and IECEx, permitting installation in the highest-risk explosive gas environments (Zone 0, 1, 2), providing the utmost protection for equipment and personnel safety.

The right-angle design (TQ442) is another core highlight of this configuration. With the probe axis oriented at 90° to the cable exit, it allows installation in positions with extremely limited axial space (e.g., inside bearing housing end covers, near gearbox walls) without needing to bend the cable or use adapters. This fundamentally eliminates premature failures caused by excessive cable bending stress. The 10-meter integral cable (E100) provides ample margin for remotely locating the signal conditioner away from high temperature, vibration, and hazardous areas to a relatively safe location, facilitating maintenance. The full-length flexible stainless steel hose (F2 + G100) offers the highest level of mechanical protection for this 10-meter cable, effectively guarding against crushing, cutting, abrasion, and rodent damage. This is particularly crucial for long-term reliable operation in complex internal routing paths within machinery or environments with moving parts.

II. Key Features and Benefits

• Top-Tier Intrinsic Safety Certification: Ex ia (A2) certification covers the entire measurement chain, allowing direct installation in Zone 0/1/2 hazardous areas without needing separate explosion-proof enclosures. System-level certification simplifies engineering and on-site installation, making it the preferred choice for high-risk industries like oil, chemical, and petrochemical.

• 90° Right-Angle Mount Design: Solves space constraints. The 90° orientation between the probe axis and cable is ideal for confined spaces like bearing housings and gearboxes with limited axial depth. Eliminates mechanical stress from forced cable bending, significantly enhancing long-term reliability.

• 10-Meter Integral Cable with Full-Length Stainless Steel Hose Protection: The 10-meter length (E100) allows the signal conditioner to be located away from high temperature, vibration, and hazardous areas for easier maintenance and longevity. The full-length flexible stainless steel hose (F2+G100) provides maximum mechanical protection against crushing, cutting, and abrasion, suitable for complex routing environments.

• Wide Temperature Range Adaptability: The sensor probe operates continuously from -40°C to +180°C, with short-term survivability up to 220°C, perfectly matching high-temperature applications like steam and gas turbines. In Ex conditions, operation up to 195°C is permitted.

• Complete Component Interchangeability: Sensors, extension cables, and signal conditioners are individually calibrated and fully interchangeable. Field replacement of components requires no system recalibration, drastically reducing downtime and spare parts inventory costs.

• IP68 High Protection Grade, Vibration and Shock Resistance: The probe tip and integral cable are rated IP68, dust-tight and protected against immersion. Withstands vibration up to 5 g (10-500 Hz) and shock up to 15 g, meeting stringent international standards like API 670 for machinery protection systems.

• Rich Sensitivity Options (via IQS450) : Supports 2 mm or 4 mm measurement ranges with voltage or current output (options B21-B24). Users can flexibly select based on backend acquisition equipment type and range requirements. Current output versions (B22/B24) offer superior noise immunity and longer transmission distances.

• Integrated Sensor Excitation and Signal Conditioning: The IQS450 signal conditioner incorporates a high-frequency oscillator and demodulation circuitry, exciting the probe and linearly converting the displacement signal into a standardized voltage or current output.

III. Typical Applications

Leveraging its unique safety and environmental adaptability, the TQ442 111-442-000-012 intrinsically safe right-angle measurement system is widely applied in the following scenarios:

• Oil & Gas / Chemical Centrifugal Compressors: Bearing housings around compressor casings are often cramped and may contain explosive gases (e.g., ethylene, propylene, natural gas). The TQ442 right-angle probe installs easily inside the bearing housing end cover to monitor radial vibration and axial position. The 10-meter cable routes the signal to a junction box in a safe area, with full hose protection preventing wear from pipe vibration.

• Steam/Gas Turbine Bearing Monitoring: Bearing housings in large turbines are extremely space-constrained and operate at high temperatures. The TQ442's high-temperature tolerance (180°C) and right-angle design make it ideal for HP and IP turbine bearing monitoring. The intrinsically safe version is suitable for areas around gas turbines with potential fuel gas leaks.

• Pumps (Especially for Flammable Liquids) : Many industrial pumps are located in Zone 1/2 hazardous areas handling crude oil, refined products, or LPG. Installing a TQ442 intrinsically safe system to monitor pump shaft vibration provides early warning of seal failure or bearing damage, preventing catastrophic leaks.

• Gearbox Internal Monitoring: Large gearboxes (e.g., in wind turbines, marine propulsion) have complex internal spaces with lubricating oil present. The right-angle probe can be installed through the gearbox wall to monitor gear shaft dynamic behavior. The hose protects the cable from oil exposure and gear mesh vibration.

• Any Scenario Requiring Remote Signal Transmission from Hazardous Areas: When monitoring systems (e.g., DCS, PLC) are located in a safe area (e.g., control room) but sensors must be in a hazardous area, an intrinsically safe system paired with a suitable safety barrier is the mandatory path for compliant signal transmission.

IV. Operating Principle Summary

The TQ442 proximity measurement system operates based on the high-frequency eddy current principle. The IQS450 signal conditioner generates a high-frequency carrier signal (typically around 1 MHz) which is transmitted via the coaxial cable to the coil inside the TQ442 probe tip. The coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the surface of the nearby metallic shaft. These eddy currents react back on the coil, changing its effective impedance. The change in impedance is precisely and linearly related to the distance between the probe tip and the shaft surface. The demodulator circuit within the conditioner converts this impedance change into a voltage or current output proportional to the distance.

The system incorporates temperature compensation design to ensure sensitivity stability over a wide temperature range. The output signal can be directly interfaced with machinery monitoring systems (such as VM600, VibroSmart) for vibration and displacement analysis.

V. System Integration and Important Notes

System Components:

1. Core Components: TQ442 probe (this configuration includes integral cable and protective hose) + IQS450 signal conditioner (must be ordered separately with sensitivity selection).

2. Installation Platform: Probe mounts on the machine measurement point; conditioner mounts in a field enclosure or on a DIN rail.

3. Software Companion: Can be configured and monitored using VM600 MPSx or VibroSmart® software (if integrated with these systems).

Key Identification and Precautions:

• Intrinsically Safe System Usage Requirements: When used in hazardous areas, connection to safe area equipment must be made via a certified intrinsic safety barrier (e.g., GSI 124). Barrier parameters must match the system's Ex certificate, and grounding must strictly follow intrinsic safety practices.

• Cable Handling: The 10-meter integral cable is precisely calibrated. Field cutting or extending is strictly prohibited. If a different total length is required, order the corresponding H option.

• Connector Operation: All coaxial connectors are hand-tight, self-locking types. Do not use tools to tighten, as this may cause damage.

• Protective Hose End Termination: G100 indicates the hose covers the vast majority of the cable, leaving approximately 200 mm of exposed cable at the end for connector access. This exposed section must be properly secured to avoid stress.

• Component Interchangeability: All vibro-meter system probes, cables, and conditioners are individually calibrated and fully interchangeable. Replacing a component does not require system recalibration, only verification of the initial gap.

• Selection Confirmation: When ordering the IQS450, the sensitivity option (B21-B24) must be explicitly selected to match the required measurement range and output type.

Application Recommendations:

• Recommended Applications: New construction or retrofit projects involving Zone 0/1/2 hazardous areas, confined installation spaces, need for long-distance cabling, and requirements for maximum mechanical protection.

• Non-Recommended Applications: Applications with no hazardous area requirements, ample installation space, and no need for long cable runs may opt for non-intrinsically safe standard versions for cost optimization.

• Upgrade Path: To expand the system or replace the signal conditioner, simply ensure the new conditioner's sensitivity matches the existing probe and re-verify the initial gap.