Well, this months eNewsletter is a little late, as I have been on holiday most of February, and didn't we have great weather. I drove all the way around NZ, both Nth and Sth Islands, about 5400Kms. What a beautiful place and the thing that is most beautiful is the people, warm hearted, fun loving and a load of laughs every where. Even the tourists, and there are thousands of them, are having a great time.

And -- MasTec actually continued to run while I was away and it was a great month.

MasTec has started to put in place an emergency power system that will give endless back up so we will be able to run continually if the power fails during the winter as they say it will. We will back up our essential PCs, server, printers, Fax, PABX and our wirlesss link to our ISP. ( Yes they do have a large UPS also ). We are doing this by installing a large capacity UPS Power Inverter with external batteries that will give us up to 4 hours work.

We have two business sites and if the outages are prolonged, we can charge at the other site and swap out battery packs to keep us going indefinitely.

Now this brings up the point for the above discussion, we hear that even sites in central CBD close the Police, Fire, and Ambulance HQ (and they get high priority power service in that area), sometimes have have long outages up to 1-2 hours now. Other CBD, Albany and Botany Downs customers tell me sometimes 2-4 hours will happen once a year, Botany recently had 8 hours in some areas.

So how are you for the winter, they are saying there may be cuts, do you have a power systems backup in place, do you feel safe. Phone Dhara or myself Rob Maskell to discuss any options you feel that are necessary for your business.

A good UPS and a Genset maybe be useful.

If you want us to contact you about these points click this link

Company... This Month's Focus Company

Elan is a UK based company that makes quite a range of Smartcard, PCMCIA, USB and Comms products.

Our focus on Elan this month is to showcase the new G3 Modem adaptors available for laptops and desktops.

If you have a laptop without a PCMCIA slot or you want to run a G3 modem on a desktop, you will need one of Elan's adaptors.

MasTec is stocking the desktop PCI PCMCIA adaptors in bulk and will also stock the new 32 bit USB adaptor part number U132 when they ship March.

These products support most G3 modems for Vodafone, Telecom and Telstra G3 systems in Australasia and most G3 providers else where, check the list of support on the Elan website.

Phone for prices and availability.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Discussion:-

You will need a DAQ system that has the following features

• Differential analog input channels to the ADC
• Single ended analog output channels from the DACs

Required:-

You have converted 4-20mA signals to voltage signals using shunt resistors across the ADC analog inputs and you now have voltage levels of 1-5 VDC feeding into the analog input on the ADC.

You want to make it so the ADC actiually see the range as 0-4 VDC without using expensive conditioner modules etc.

Here is the Fix:-

Feed the 1-5 VDC signal into the +ve terminal of the differential input of the ADC MUX. Ground the 4-20mA signal source to the DAQ card analog ground terminal.

On each of the -ve differential input on the ADC MUX, connect an analog output -- from the DAC.

Set the input signal on all ADC input channels to 4mAs and scan the input voltage of all the channels through the ADC with the DAC output set to 0 volts and then keep the ADC conversion numbers in an array.

When it comes time to take reading in the future without the ADC seeing the offset voltages, before taking a reading with the ADC, set the DAC output to the value in the array indexed to the channel. Doing this removes the offset of 1VDC to 0 VDC.

The reason is the differnetial amplifier in the ADC does a subtraction for you, offset in +ve terminal -offest on -ve terminal = 0 VDC.Simple trick really but handy.

Note the 1-5VDC will only be approximate as each channel will be different. This method will take in to consideration the 4mA input variations. To actually get a truly calibrated system you will also need to take into consideration the variations in the 20mA signal levels and fix this.

This can be done by another initial scan.

Set the input signal on all ADC input channels to 20mAs and scan the input voltage of all the channels to the ADC with the DAC set to 0 volts and then keep that numbers in another array or make a matrix for 4 and 20mA levels.

If you want us to contact you about these points click this link

MasTec is now a fully NI Reseller again, we look forward to hearing from all our old customers.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

U3 Features ... read more

16 Flexible I/O (Digital Input, Digital Output, or Analog Input)
Up to 2 Timers (Pulse Counting/Timing, PWM Output, Quadrature Input)
Up to 2 Counters (32-Bits Each)
4 Additional Digital I/O
12-bit Analog Inputs (0-2.4 V SE or +/- 2.4 V Diff.)
1 Dedicated Analog Output (8-Bit, 0-5 volts)
2nd Analog Output Available in Certain Configurations
Built-In Screw Terminals for Some Signals
USB 2.0/1.1 Full Speed Interface
Powered by USB Cable
Includes Licensed Copy of DAQFactory Express Software (Win2000/XP)
Includes USB Cable and Screwdriver
Free Firmware Upgrades
Money Back Guarantee
Enclosure Size Approximately 3" x 4.5" x 1.2" (75mm x 115mm x 30mm)
Rated for Industrial Temperature Range (-40 to +85 Degrees C)

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

For marine applications, plant and equipment surveillance, industrial and comercial protection, domestic and so on

The TGR100 Series is a high-efficient GSM remote controller specially designed to use as stand-alone unit or in the combination with other video surveillance or alarm equipments. Built-in GSM module with different interfaces enable simple and easy control and management of complete electrical and electronic equipment through GSM mobile phone.

Built-in relays enable remote control of different household and other devices as are air-conditioning and heating. The connections with other alarm equipment and additional sensors enable remote intruder and fire surveillance and voltage and temperature measuring and management. The control of the unit is possible by the help of SMS text messages or by the help of tone (DTMF) dialing. Alarming is possible by receiving the SMS text messages or by alarm calls or by the combination of both of them.

Interactive voice responder confirms the requests during DTMF control or inform about the kind of alarm when alarm occurs. The unit enables also speaker and microphone connection to remote communication. Programming is possible by the help of SMS text messages or with PC by the help of RS-232 serial interface.

This GSM Remote Control Unit comes in three versions, Basic, Advance and Reference, every model is available also with GPS receiver.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

isoLynx® SLX200 Data Acquisition System

This is the report from Modbus News Magazine on the Dataforth isoLynx DAQ system.

I/O Interface: SLX200 is a fast, intelligent, modular, fully isolated data acquisition system that provides superior reliability, accuracy, and isolation for a wide range of rugged high performance industrial applications. With its ability to interface with more than 650 SCM5B analog I/O modules, the isoLynx SLX200 offers maximum flexibility for factory automation, process control, test and measurement, machine control, and data acquisition applications.

Dataforth has a new Modbus Device read about this on there site also.

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The Modbus Offical website is a valuable resource for industry news and trends! For example, China has officially adopted Modbus as the Chinese Standard! Modbus TCP is growing at over 51% per year with over a million active devices now in use; it is now the world's leading protocol!

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If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Intellicom... webSCADA ModBus Gateway and much much more

The picture says it all ... read more

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

The TM-1327GE is a gigabit ethernet, high-resolution, high-speed monochrome progressive scan CCD cameras.

The interline-type CCD permits capture of full resolution images with very high speed shutter. The electronic shutter, which has speeds to 1/16,000 sec, can be reset asynchronously by external pulse control. Four frame rates are available: 15, 30, 58, and 100 fps. On-chip micro lenses provide increased sensitivity.

The TM-1327GE has fully controllable LookUp Tables (LUT) which allows for full control of the dynamic range. The LUT can be setup with multiple knee slopes to convert 10-bit input to 8-bit output, thereby optimizing the CCD's full dynamic range in the normal output signal range. The TM-1327GE has a Gigabit Ethernet output enabling extended transmission distances at high speeds.

Applications for the TM-1327GE include machine vision, medical imaging, intelligent transportation systems, high-definition graphics, on-line inspection, gauging, character reading, archiving, and high security surveillance.

Specification -
Sensor format: Sony 2/3" Sensor
Resolution: 1392 x 1040 pixel
Pixel size: 6.45µm x 6.45µm
Lens attachment: C-mount
Frame rate: 30/15 frames/sec
Output format: Gigabit Ethernet
Camera setup: Via Gigabit Ethernet
Connectors: RJ-45 and Hirose 12-pin
Trigger modes: Edge Pre-select, Pulse Width Control
Serial communication: via Gigabit Ethernet, with Windows GUI

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Crydom... Large Current DC SSR Switches

Switch high DC voltages and high DC currents

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

M526 150MHz oscilloscope .... read more

USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 compatible
Dual channel with 150 MHz bandwidth
Deflection factor: 10mV/div to 5V/div in 1-2-5 sequence
Max real time sampling rate 200 MS/s
Max equivalent sampling rate 20 GS/s
Software for Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP

ETC make a broad range of PC Instruments

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Measurement Computing Corporation&has announced the release of two new 8-channel high-performance temperature loggers.

USB-5201 logs data from J, K, R, S, T, N, E, & B type thermocouples

USB-5203 logs data from the same thermocouple types, as well as RTDs, thermistors, and semiconductor temperature sensors.

Both units log data to industry standard CompactFlash® (CF) cards.

These new modules are ideal for remote or stand-alone applications requiring temperature measurement where the use of a dedicated PC or laptop is not feasible. Both of the devices provide user configurable temperature alarms for control of eight digital output lines.

A 64-MB CF card (included with each device) can store approximately 2,350,000 time-stamped temperature values from a single channel. CompactFlash cards up to 2 GB are supported. Data can be retrieved either by connecting the device directly to a computer via a standard USB cable, or by placing the removable CF card into any standard CF card reader.

The devices are bundled with TracerDAQ", an industry-leading software package that provides easy data management and analysis. TracerDAQ converts and saves temperature and alarm data to standard, comma-delimited .CSV files. TracerDAQ also plots and analyzes real-time data or historical temperature files.

These two products ship with a 64-MB CF card, a power supply, a USB cable, and the following software: InstaCal", an all-in-one installation, logger setup, calibration, and test application; TracerDAQ", Measurement Computing's powerful stripchart recorder, oscilloscope, and data logger application; and Universal Library" and UL for LabVIEW", powerful language interfaces that allow users to write programs in all of the popular programming languages using easy-to-understand, high-level command syntax.

Powered by the USB bus (USB 2.0 full speed) and outfitted with screw terminal for direct signal connectivity, these devices are built for portability, efficiency and flexibility. With the smart hardware design and powerful drivers, these devices are ready for measurement within minutes.

These devices are CE rated.

We also have accessories, CF card readers and CF cards up to 2 GBs.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Micronor ---ZAP Free Optical Encoders

NEW MR314 - Higher Resolution ZapFREE Encoder in a hollow shaft encoder package ... read more

EMI-based communication problems usually reside around big machinery. Naturally, a hollow shaft package was needed as well as higher resolution then already offered by the smaller, shafted MR312 series (100ppr to 360ppr). The answer was the MR314 with 1024ppr resolution.

The key markets for the ZapFREE Fiber Optic Rotary Encoders is Harsh and/or Hazardous Environments.

This EMC Design Guide article below provides a good explanation of the difference between "Benign" versus "Harsh/Hazardous" environments:

Categorically, a benign environment is neutral or unthreatening.

Examples might be a manufacturing plant, machine shop or engineering lab operating within a controlled air-conditioned environment or else working at a comfortable ambient temperature. In these benign environments, the electronics of conventional encoders are neither thermally stressed (typically operating within the industrial electronics range of 0-70°C) nor directly exposed to other adverse elements or conditions (washdown, corrosive chemicals, shock, vibration, etc.). In the majority of these relatively benign applications and conditions, noise problems can be reduced or eliminated by re-routing cables or upgrading to more expensive, higher performance shielded cabling.

A harsh environment pushes at least one environmental parameter to some extreme. Components of a harsh environment can include:

Temperature (extreme hot, cold or cyclic)
Humidity
Pressure or vacuum
Altitude
Shock
Vibration
Electrical noise (EMI or RFI)
Radiation
Wet environments (wash down, immersion, wind-driven rain)
Dirty environments (sand, dirt, oil, etc.)
Exposure to corrosive agents (detergents, chemicals, jet fuel, salt air, etc.)
Hazardous or explosive environments

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

SWS ---ADAM, NuDAM, Topscc Modules -- LV 7 and 8 Drivers

ADAM and NuDAM modules from Advantech,Adlink and Topsccc (many others) are now industrial multi sourced industrial distributied I/O measurement and control modules.

A distributied I/O system can be set up using RS-232, RS-485 or USB connections.

SWS a few yearsback released a LabVIEW driver for version 6.1. We are now able to supply fthe same driver in LabVIEW 7 and 8 versions.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

UPS... Product of the Month

Beam...Internal UPSs

Smart Internal Series SI-300/500/550/600

SI series is the industries first and only uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) with the ability to be mounted into a PC case using a 5 1/4" drive bay. A fully integrated UPS with all the necessary components of a traditional UPS in a single box. Providing convenient, space saving, hassle free, and power protection solution to mission-critical computing environments.

Special Feature
Suitable for 5 1/4 disk size.
Micro-processor based design, more reliable & friendly.
Auto-select frequency.
"Green Power" design for saving battery life.
Multifunction button for alarm reset, power off, & self-test (DC start).
Warning for battery replacement.
Compatible with Windows 95/98/2000 /NT/ME, Linux, SCO UNIX, & DOS.
AT/ATX computer compatible.
Easy installation.
This is a CE Certificated Product.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

AC Power... Product of the Month

Soltec...AC Voltage and Frequency Converters

Soltech make a range of single phase and three phase Voltage and Frequency Converters.

These are useful devices if you want to run 60HZ AC devices in NZ or you are make 60HZ devices for export and you need to test them in NZ.

Power Ranges are from 1KVA all the way to 320KVA.

Simple installation and setup. These devices are actually built around their UPS sinewave inverter and charger technology. There are no batteries in these devices.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

AC Power... Product of the Month

Asia Power...OEM/ODM DC Power Supplies

Do you have a project that will need Power Supplies in high quantity.?

We have an Asian manufacturer that will astound you woth their prices.

Tell us your specs, time line and qty requirements and we will quote.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

IP Power 9258 - main features :

1) Network Server reboot -- can remote control to reboot the power on for the PC or Server at remote site , no need send someone to get the job done at the scene to save time and manpower.

2) Network AC Power Control -- can control and operate the High Power switch on / off via Internet / Ethernet, even the Comsumer Electronic 110V / 220V Products .

3) Timer Power Switch -- can pre-set the time schedule to turn power on / off thru Internet / Ethernet.

4) WAP Mobile Phone Control -- can use the GPRS cell phone via WAP to control

5) Open Code Customization -- provided Source Code for user to modify to fit it's own system application

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

A.D.A.M. Illustrated Medical Encyclopedia on CD-ROM (10th Edition)

A.D.A.M. The Complete Alternative Medicine Encyclopedia On CD-ROM

A.D.A.M. Illustrated Family Health Guide

Nine Month Miracle

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

• Dealers now bundle with PC sales!!
• End Users, why be with out protection now.??
• Soltec Line Interactive 400VA UPS
• This UPS will suit one Celeron PC with an LCD monitor,
• If you purchase ten UPSs, the price will be $40 +GST

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

MasTec built a multi PC based high speed image capture system using Camera Link Interfaced Silicon Imaging variable resolution 1280 CMOS 1280 x 1024 B/W cameras.

These cameras can run from slow frame rates by adjusting the clock rate on the camera

Resolution	Frame Rates
1280 x 1024	41
1280 x 700	60
800 x 600	105
640 x 480	158
512 x 512	177
320 x 200	532
320 x 240	537
240 x 180	855
200 x 150	1143
128 x 128	1686
64 x 64	4360

At these frame rates and resolutions the camera is running data at 60MB/sec. It is impossible to have two cameras feeding one PC as the PCI bus cannot keep up with these data rates. It is also difficult to make a disk drive system run at these speeds of 60MB/Sec so the option was taken to use a separate Pentium 4 computer with each camera and sync the two cameras off the PCI capture cards. The PCs were both given 4GB of memory and can collect data for a considerable time up to 1 minute or so at full frame rates with having to run a disk drive. Each machine was fitted with a 1Gb ethernet for transmitting the data collected to a higher performance Dual Xeon PC.

If you want us to contact you about these products click this link

Advantech Critical End-Of-Life Announcement

According to our records MasTec has previously sold these products.

Please be advised that due to the early EOL of VIA C3/Eden and AMD Geode components, Advantech will be revising a range of product models including selected Single Board Computers, PC/104, SOM, POS, Panel PC, Slot PC, TREK Vehicle PC and eHome Panel PCs.

For a complete list of affected products, replacement models and expected release dates, please visit:

GW Instek

Please open the pdf file with the announcements of phase out Product List.

MasTec is looking for an Auckland Based LV Programmer

Mail : info@mastecnz.co.nz

Industria

industria global news about Automation, Process Control, Instrumentation, and Software for Australasia/Oceania
Website Link

• MasTec Ltd.
• 1/7 Torrens Rd, East Tamaki
• Auckland 1701, New Zealand
• Tel : 64 9 273 4200
• Fax: 64 9 273 9500
• Mail : info@mastecnz.co.nz
• Web http://www.mastec.co.nz
  
  
  

MasTec Staff Contacts :-

Managing Director	rob.maskell@mastecnz.co.nz
OEM Purchases	rob.maskell@mastecnz.co.nz
Product Manager	adam.samir@mastecnz.co.nz
All Products -- Sales Executive	loyal.noronha@mastecnz.co.nz
M2M & Wireless Manager	adam.samir@mastecnz.co.nz
Integration Project Manager	tajinder.singh@mastecnz.co.nz
Office and General Sales Manager	saera.tui@mastecnz.co.nz
Email Lists & DB Work	Open at present
UPS & Power Sales -- Sales Consultant	dhara.pandya@mastecnz.co.nz
Training Officer	tajinder.singh@mastecnz.co.nz

(Please send Rob Maskell any updates on company details, any new staff members etc)