CLEANROOMS & CONTAMINATION CONTROL: VALIDATION


Probe detects rapid humidity changes


F


innish environmental and industrial measurement specialist Vaisala has launched an extremely compact smart probe with fast response times to add to its range


of humidity sensors. The Humicap HMP9 humidity and temperature probe is designed predominantly for industrial applications, where fast thermal response, measurement performance and long-term stability are essential. The probe is particularly useful in monitoring humidity in cleanroom air handling systems and climatic chambers, where space is a constraint. The tiny HMP9 probe is characterised


by very high measurement accuracy and superb thermal response time in a compact package. The miniature probe weighs only a few grams and the probe head is just 5 mm of diameter. The low thermal mass of the probe offers superior response time compared with corresponding capacitive humidity measurement products on the market. Its compact body not only adapts to the changing environment more quickly, but also makes it suitable for installation in tight spaces, which allows measurements in locations where traditional sized probes are unable to fit.


MEASURING RAPID CHANGES The HMP9 is designed for rapidly changing or condensing environments. The smart probe is optimised for dryers, air handling units, test chambers or other systems and processes where measuring


Miniature humidity probe provides fast response time for measuring changes in humidity for air handling units or space-constrained climatic chambers


humidity can make a difference in saving energy or improving the product or the process. With the humidity and temperature


balance being a critical factor in many cleanroom environments, the probe is of particular interest to cleanroom facility operators for keeping such environments within specification. However, the probe also adds value to a


variety of applications or locations with temperatures under 120°C (248°F) that don’t involve high pressure, but where the accurate humidity and temperature measurement is a critical factor.


NOT JUST HUMIDITY In addition to relative humidity and temperature, the HMP9 provides measurements of other calculated humidity parameters, such as dew point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, absolute humidity, mixing ratio, water concentration, water vapour pressure and enthalpy. The new HMP9 contains a Humicap sensor that provides industry-standard


❱❱ Miniature probe offers rapid response capabilities to changes in relative humidity for climatic control applications


humidity measurement performance. The sensor is equipped with a chemical purge option, which heats the sensor to remove harmful chemicals, helping to maintain measurement accuracy between calibrations.


SMART AND MODULAR The probe is one of the new generation of “smart” measuring devices that have had their dependence on other systems removed. This results in a probe that can measure and operate autonomously and can be linked to other devices for data acquisition or for further processing of the information processed by the device itself. By making the HMP9 smart, Vaisala is


enabling its use within the scope of Industry 4.0 digital enterprises by having an open interface and by processing the data it collects at the point of collection. As such, the Vaisala HMP9 is part of a


modular product family, which Vaisala calls “Indigo”. The HMP9 is plug-and-play compatible with the Indigo 201 and Indigo 202 transmitters, which can provide local displays and analogue or digital outputs when needed. The probe can also be used as a standalone device with a digital Modbus RTU output. For on-site configuration, diagnostics, and calibration, the probe can be connected to Vaisala Insight PC Software. The range of connectivity, DAQ and


analysis options for the device makes it very flexible for deployment in a range of industrial applications. T&TH


December 2019 /// Testing & Test Houses /// 29


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52