The indication unit IndiTop from Alfa Laval.

General information

The IndiTop indication unit is designed to be a simple and easy to use electrical feedback unit for Alfa Laval and Tri-Clover sanitary valves. Compatible with all major PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) digital input cards, It’s ideal for use in food, dairy and brewery installations as well as biopharmaceutical applications.

The unit is mounted while its target is threaded onto the valve actuator “mushrooms” with two Allen screws on the valve stem. Once setup either by the quick and easy “5 push setup” or remotely from the PLC, the unit will be able to send feedback about the valve position through a fixed cable.

Sensor System

IndiTop has a unique “No Touch” sensor system without any mechanical adjustments needed. A target magnet is mounted on the valve stem and the magnetic field (axial) is detected by sensor chips inside the sensor unit. The measuring angle from each chip is used to locate the current position of the valve stem with an accuracy of ± 1mm. Note that the distance to the magnet can be 0.2" ± 0.12".

Feedback Signals

IndiTop is capable of providing two 2 PNP/NPN digital feedback signals in both DC and AC. Selection of PNP or NPN is done by wiring.

Visual indication through LEDs are constantly displaying the current valve position and power (ON/OFF)

Key Features

• - Works with both DC and AC supply voltage (8-30V DC/AC)
• - Two PNP/NPN digital DC/AC feedback signals
• - Quick and easy "5 push setup" through pushbuttons
• - Able to perform the setup remotely from the PLC
• - Keeps the setup during power outages
• - Visual indication through LEDs
• - 5m fixed cable
• - No mechanical adjustments
• - ± 0.2" tolerance for saved positions

Technical Data

Materials

Sensor System

Electrical interface

5m 0.2"ø fixed PVC cable with (6) 26 AWG conductors.

Protection Class

IP66/67

Power Supply

IndiTop is designed to be a part of the PLC’s Input/Output (I/O) system. It should be supplied from the same protected power supply as the other I/O devices. The unit is reverse polarity and short circuit protected. Designated for use only with power supplies meeting the requirements of EN 61131-2.

The initial current during power-on is higher. The actual shape of the current pulse depends on the power supply used. Typical values are 150mA RMS during 13 ms (regulated PS) to 360 mA RMS during 8 ms (unregulated PS).

The fulfilling of the UL requirements in UL508 requires that the unit is supplied by an isolating source complying with the requirements for class 2 power units (UL1310) or class 2 and 3 transformers (UL1585).

Feedback Signals

Output signals from the sensor unit to the connected digital interface (PLC).

Selecting PNP/NPN

PNP (sourcing) or NPN (sinking) function is selected through the brown wire in the cable.
PNP (DC/AC) = Brown wire connected to + (DC) / L1 (AC)
NPN (DC/AC) = Brown wire connected to – (DC) / N (AC)

Relief plug

The indication unit IndiTop is provided with a relief plug which opens in case of an actuator leakage.
If a leakage occurs the plug remains attached to the unit and can be put in its place again.

Spareparts

The magnet holder inclusive of magnet is available as a sparepart.

Environment

Electrical connections

The fixed cable consists of 6 wires. When the remote setup feature is not used only 4 wires need to be connected to external systems (Red/Black/Green/Yellow). Brown is always connected to either Red (PNP) or Black (NPN) depending on whether PNP or NPN is required. The orange wire must be connected to Red if the remote setup feature is not used.

Connections: