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22 www.coalage.com April 2018 communications continued wherever needed and immediately func- tional," Berube said. "It offers a uniquely simple method for exchanging sensors underground for either changing the gas being monitored or for routine calibration purposes," Berube said. The MSHA IS approval distinguishes the detector. "Competitor units are either wired for data and/or power or are not IS approved," Berube said. Traditional hard- wired detector systems must use an IS power barrier, which have current limita- tions of between 100 milliamperes (mA) to 350 mA, he said. This shortens the ca- ble that runs from the barrier, as well as the number of gas monitors the barrier powers. "Using the Strata Sentro1 wireless solution, the mine is free to run as many monitors as needed without the need of costly IS barriers and cable runs," Berube said. "Installing the wireless Sentro1 units proved to be a far less expensive solution than running the traditional hard-wired gas monitoring system." The detectors can be placed along belt lines, in isolated or hazardous areas, in sections lacking electrical infrastructure, in temporary or problem zones, the com- pany reported. "The system is ideal for iso- lated areas because it does not require any sort of infrastructure," Berube said. Simple hanging of the battery-powered units in an isolated area provides immediate gas monitoring." The Strata communication nodes that enable data transmission to the surface are also wireless and with MSHA IS approval. "These can also be hung in isolated areas to interface with the Strata Sentro 1 and pull data to the mine's com- munication network," Berube said. "For example, this system can safely be used to monitor gas levels in the bleeder," he said. Thus, the detectors are ideal for "oper- ations with highly volatile and/or isolated areas that need to be monitored contin- uously," Berube said. In such operations, the detector "can be used as a switch for command, control and monitoring of oth- er devices such as fans and pumps," he said. "It can also be used to measure air and gas flow for ventilation as well as air temperature, humidity and pressure." Sentro 1 detectors can be deployed for stand-alone operation or integrated into a pre-existing system. "In order to have the ability to remotely monitor and control the units, the customer would require the StrataConnect wireless communications network to be installed, or have Strata extend their existing communications network to enable interfacing with Stra- ta's technology," Berube said. "It is not a requirement to install a complete Strata communications network." That means customers can install a Strata tech-based patch to upgrade their existing network. "Strata designed a hy- brid wireless system allowing customers to install a small wireless network under- ground that will then integrate into their current underground network," Berube said. "Strata has successfully interfaced with Allen Bradly Factory Talk View, I-Fix, and Wonderware software packages allow- ing the end user to view the data from the wireless monitors." Such an interface to existing software is proven to be cost ef- fective, he said. www.richwood.com Rely on Richwood! info@richwood.com in the US 1.800.237.6951 or +1 (304) 525-5436 Impact Saddle ® Protecting the Most Vulnerable Points on Your Conveyor • Full trough belt support • Engineered for your application • No maintenance • Guaranteed performance ©Richwood 2018 The Original Protecting the Most Vulnerable