Challenges
Very high and very low temperatures both mean enormous challenges for machine and plant components. And machines can be exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods at a time, for example when processing or transporting hot materials, such as liquid bitumen.
Plants which are used in the food industry for shock frosting or cold storage, for example, are exposed to extreme subzero temperatures. In desert regions of the world, temperatures fluctuate daily between low and very high, and the switches and sensors used there must be able to withstand both. Many industrial applications are additionally located within explosive zones.
steute expertise
Extreme temperature has grown to become one of the core competencies of steute. Specialist expertise, the realisation of numerous projects in different climate zones, as well as decades of experience in the production of reliable switches and sensors, have made us true experts for subzero and very high temperatures.
Our product range includes a variety of temperature-resistant, Ex-protected and extremely robust switches and sensors suitable for all manner of subzero and high temperatures.
For subzero temperatures down to -60 °C
Explosion-proof, robust and cold-resistant: working in subzero temperatures down to -60 °C requires special design features. The Ex position switches, Ex command devices and Ex magnetic sensors from steute have been developed especially to meet such demands. These series are used in e.g. offshore applications.
In outdoor applications, e.g. valve monitoring in gas and oil pipelines located in extremely cold regions of the world, temperatures can fall to below -40 °C. This is where the position switches and magnetic sensors for subzero temperatures come into play. In cold storage for the food industry, for example, the RC M20 magnetic sensor is used. For such applications, steute has a comprehensive product range suitable for subzero temperatures. Many of these series are also optionally available for Ex zones.
High temperatures up to +180 °C
In numerous industrial applications, like glass processing or steel production, temperatures can be extrememly high. Switching devices used in such environments must be especially robust and heat-resistant. We develop and produce variants especially for such cases, some of which can be used in temperatures of up to 180 °C. The steute ES 41 series of heat-resistant position switches is used, for example, in the production of pellet stoves.
Fit for the tropics
Switches and sensors for the tropics pose a particular challenge because they have to be able to withstand very different night and day temperatures, in combination with high humidity levels. Conventional switching devices quickly reach their limits in such conditions, but not some steute products: for example, the ZS 92 KST series of emergency pull-wire switches. Thanks to special sealing technology, they are carefully and permanently protected against penetrating moisture.
Testing in laboratory conditions
In order to guarantee reliability in extreme temperatures, the steute switching devices are tested in our in-house climate chamber, capable of reaching temperatures down to -60 °C and up to +200 °C.
In order to test the durability of explosion-proof products, they are placed in a climate chamber for four weeks. The switches and sensors age over this period by approx. 10 years. The mechanical robustness of the industrial components is subsequently evaluated using an impact test. A testing mass made out of reinforced steel is dropped onto the product with 7J from a defined height. Testing ends with an assessment of the IP protection level.
