It contains the tallest hotel, the tallest clock tower, and the largest clock face in the world. In addition to the construction challenges and intricate workings of the huge clock, the tower is illuminated with 21,000 white and green lights, and two million LED lights.

To ensure the most modern and rugged system of heat detection and monitoring available, AP Sensing’s Linear Heat Series was selected. Four DTS devices were installed as explained below, to ensure continuous, fully-redundant monitoring in real-time.

AP Sensing design concept

Planning together with local partners, it was decided to divide the tower areas into four sections, to ensure an efficient installation and the highest performance. This architecture results in complete system redundancy, even in the unlikely event of a fiber break or a system fault.

The four sensor cables can be divided into 256 zones, each zone with its own alarm criteria, which was ideal for covering the media panels, platforms and cable trays in each of the 4 sections.

Project challenges and the DTS solution

Media walls: There are enormous media walls on each side of the tower below the clock. Two of these measure 70m x 10m, and two 40m x 10m, and together they contain the 2 million LEDs. The 16km sensor cable is connected to the heat sink for the LEDs and is then routed throughout the walls in a tight pattern with 50cm spacing.

This ensures that all four walls (which generate 1.8MW) can be effectively monitored, despite direct sunshine, cool temperatures at night or in the shade, and thermal effects from wind.

Conclusion

Thanks to the combined efforts of a cross-functional team, the Linear Heat Series is optimally installed, providing a safe and effective DTS deployment. AP Sensing’s unique code-correlated OTDR technology, combined with asset visualization software, precisely locates hot spots and alarm conditions in real time – extremely valuable assets remain securely protected.

The housings themselves are only 15 cm deep to save space, and the DTS device can operate even with external temperatures of up to 60°C without additional ventilation or cooling.

            Background colors with status, warnings, and alarms

Our new LCD displays provide more information at a glance. During normal operation you see the channel being measured or additional status information like the trace number. Warning messages give you the exact location of a fiber break. In the event of an alarm you see the type of alarm and its precise location.  

The background colors in the display indicate normal operation, or the presence of a warning message or an alarm.

Contact us to learn more about our latest product improvements!

Meet our product experts and discuss the latest developments of our Linear Power Series:

• Improved spatial and temperature resolution
• SDCard slot to store thousands of measurements without a PC
• A new "hibernation mode": save up to 80% of energy and disk space
• A new portfolio of enclosures to cover -40°C to +60°C, ATEX, portables
• New trace and visualization software

We listened to your feedback and made your experience even better with the new Multi Sensor Board: 

• Log and view load data for the power cable while auto-calibrating the sensor fiber and monitoring its changes (e.g., soil moisture)
• Sensor data is integrated into the AP Sensing Power Management Suite and the RTTR (Real Time Thermal Rating) module
• Get the complete overview of all your sensor data (e.g., current, voltage, intrusion logging, limit value switch, humidity and soil moisture)
• Use our pre-assembled accessories (PT100 temperature sensors) for maximum automation and efficiency gains

AP Sensing is your trusted DTS partner with a 25 year heritage in optical testing and hundreds of satisfied customers worldwide. Get the quality and reliability you need with the experienced service and support you want, from project definition to post-sales training.

See you soon in Dubai! 

The Multi Sensor Board requires almost no additional power. Using our SmartVision software you have the complete overview of all sensor information correlated to the DTS traces. And our pre-assembled accessories enable fully automatic Auto Temperature Calibration.

Universal inputs and outputs:

• 4 x PT100 / PT1000 temperature sensor inputs
• 2 x voltage inputs (0-10V) 
• 2 x current inputs (0-20 mA)
• 2 x digital inputs
• 10 x potential-free relay outputs
• 4 x reset inputs

Two D-Sub 25 plugs included, plus pre-assembled accessories available

Supports a broad range of sensors

Linear Power users will enjoy the advantages of correlating their trace data together with sensor data from current, voltage, intrusion logging, limit value switches, even humidity and soil moisture sensors.

Linear Pro users will appreciate the efficiency improvements they gain with the overview of, for example, flow rate, solar radiation, wind speed and direction sensors, as well as humidity and soil moisture.

Features at a glance:

Fully integrated data acquisition: Low power consumption; one tool for configuration; time-synchronic data collection.

Auto calibration: PT100 / PT1000 sensors; no need for a temperature reference.

Uses industry standards for easy connectivity: Connect the sensors you need to fit your application.

Visualization: Sensor data correlated to DTS trace data; integrated into Power Management Suite and RTTR module.

Rack-mounted, hand-carried portable, or outdoors: Our DTS continues to evolve and improve. The highlights of the upgrade include:

• B-Series with increased accuracy and greatly improved spatial and temperature resolution.
  
• SDCard slot storing thousands of measurements without using a PC, thereby reducing overall power draw.
• The new hibernation mode lets your DTS "sleep" for a defined period before continuing measurement. This saves up to 80% of energy and disk storage space.
• The Multi Sensor Board to capture a broad range of external sensor signals (PT100, digital inputs, analog inputs, relay outputs).
• A portfolio of enclosures to cover -40°C to +60°C, ATEX, portables and high IP ratings.
• SmartVision: The new trace visualization and analysis software.

Contact us today for your free demo copy of SmartVision!

All of this and more is available now, and for current N4386A and N4385A users there is an attractive upgrade offer!

Contact us today for details on upgrading your DTS.

AP Sensing recently received approval from the Office of the State Fire Marshal in California to be included in the Building Materials Listing Program. This office requires that fire alarm systems and devices sold and marketed in the state be approved and listed.

Our UL 521 certification is the applicable standard that enabled us to be approved for this listing service under category 7270 Heat Detectors. For more details on the requirements needed to attain certification, and to see a complete listing of State Fire Marshal approvals, click here.

AP Sensing's High-Temperature Sensor Cable

Finer, faster - presenting the advanced Linear Pro Series

AP Sensing’s optoelectronic technology and highly integrated designs have brought a new dimension of quality and robustness to the Distributed Temperature Sensing marketplace for the past 5 years.

With 23 years of OTDR product development and manufacturing expertise, AP Sensing DTS systems contain a vast array of technological innovations. This component and manufacturing expertise drives our product design, ultimately characterizing the AP Sensing brand.

We’ve carried forward all the fundamental design criteria which earned AP Sensing its reputation – the most reliable and robust DTS on the market. With a keen awareness of our legacy and customer expectations, we proudly present the N4386B Linear Pro Series.

The N4386B delivers a significant improvement in measurement performance and adds many useful, new features. The measurement performance is best described by our new Performance Calculator which can be obtained from AP Sensing. The built in SD Card enables nonvolatile trace and file storage that can be conveniently removed or exchanged from the system.

N4386B DTS Feature Summary:

• 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 channels in a 2 UI chassis
• Measurement Distances beyond 12 km
• Sampling Resolution - 0.25 meters
• Spatial Resolution - 0.5 meters
• VxWorks real time operating system
• POSC, Modbus, SCPI, TCP/IP, USB
• Integrated / removable SD card
• Non volatile trace and file storage
• Outdoor, indoor & portable options
• -40 °C to +60 °C instrument operation

AP Sensing's unique product characteristics:

• Hermetivally sealed optoelectronic block – allows operation in almost any environment
• Long-life optics – translates to a very low cost of ownership and a hassle free service life
• ATEX certification – laser operation in explosive environments
• Mission critical, real-time VxWorks operating system – performance and stability
• Instrument MTBF of > 30 years
• Patented single receiver design – no need for re-calibration due to drift
• ISO 13628-6 certification – a subsea “oil & gas” level of environmental robustness
• Low power consumption – < 17 W at room temperature, < 50 W over the operational range
• Patented code correlation design – balancing the need for power and distance

AP Sensing proudly introduces SmartVision - our solution for the growing analysis demands of today’s DTS users. It has been developed to handle huge amounts of data. SmartVision is a completely integrated data acquisition & analysis software package. It provides data analysis, data management and data presentation / visualization. It has features such as mathematical functions, statistics, historical trace generation, graphical / colorized 2D temperature mapping and more...

SmartVision’s intelligent database design is easy to use, fast, and accurate. All measurements and post processes results can be presented for publication and review. SmartVision puts "smart tools" at your fingertips, from standard features such as data import and export, copy to clipboard techniques to advanced techniques such as data handling in projects. It contains a flexible windowing system with the ability to correct the data with different calibration sets.

SmartVision goes far beyond basic data analysis software. The optional data logger allows the online acquisition of data generated by the DTS system. You get the job done faster with confidence in your measurement results and reports.

AP Sensing's SmartVision is the software of choice for professionals when it comes to productive analysis of data measured by AP Sensing DTS systems. SmartVision yields the analytical and visual insight into your DTS measurement campaign.

Please take a look at our website to order your free demo copy of SmartVision today!

Please pay attention to the presentation in session C.9 “Dynamic Rating”. Together with the highly recognized utility Tennet we’re presenting results from a 220 kV project in Germany. (C.9.3 On-line ampacity determination of a 220 kV cable using an optical fibre based monitoring system)

AP Sensing’s Linear Power Series introduces a new philosophy for today’s power cable condition monitoring:

• Unlimited measurement range – thanks to a unique remote unit concept
• Industry-leading product quality – unmatched in robustness and durability
• Premium product reliability – patented code correlation and single receiver
• Highly customer-oriented solution packages for visualization, management, integration and dynamic current rating (DCR)
• Comprehensive service in all stages – project design, tendering, commissioning and post sales service and support

AP Sensing’s DTS solutions are field proven with hundreds of installations. We are highly recognized and appreciated for our value and quality throughout the world. Please visit us for more information and to discuss your specific DTS requirements.

See you soon in Versailles!

Introducing the advanced Linear Power Series

AP Sensing’s optoelectronic technology and highly integrated designs have brought a new dimension of quality and robustness to the Distributed Temperature Sensing industry for the past 5 years. With 23 years of OTDR product development and manufacturing expertise, AP Sensing DTS systems contain a vast array of technological innovations. These component and manufacturing innovations, that drive our design and manufacturing processes, truly characterize the AP Sensing brand.

With full awareness of our legacy and customer expectations, we proudly present the N4385B Linear Power Series. This advanced version carries forward all the fundamental design criteria which made the AP Sensing instruments the most reliable and robust DTS instruments on the market.

• Hermetically sealed optoelectronic block filled with inert gas – we can operate in almost any environmental situation
• Long-life optics – translates to virtually no maintenance, a very low cost of ownership and hassle free instrument service life
• ATEX certification – laser operation in explosive environments
• Mission critical, real-time VxWorks operating system – our software is as reliable as our hardware – uninterrupted system performance and stability
• Overall instrument Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of > 30 years
• Patented single receiver – no need for re-calibration due to drift
• ISO 13628-6 certification – a subsea “oil & gas” level of robustness against shock, vibration, burn in, freeze-in, and temperature cycling
• Low power consumption – less than 17W at room, less than 50W over the entire temperature range – allows remote, outdoor, battery powered operation
• Patented code correlation design – balancing the need for power and distance

In addition to these important attributes the new version delivers a significant improvement in measurement performance and adds very useful new features. Our measurement performance is best described by our new Performance Calculator which can be obtained from your AP Sensing sales and support team.

The N4385B Linear Power Series equipment has the following attributes:

• Sampling resolution down to 0.25 m
• Spatial resolution down to 0.5 m
• Measurement range up to 15 km
• High speed data acquisition
• Temperature resolution below 0.1°C
• SCPI, Labview driver; optional protocols: Modbus, OPC, IEC 60870-5-104, DNP3 protocols
• ASCII, Binary trace file format
• VxWorks real time operating system
• Integrated and exchangeable SD card
• Outdoor, indoor & portable versions
• -40°C to +60°C instrument operation

More over AP Sensing is offering a range of application specific intelligent solutions.