iT300/iT301 Intelligent Vibration Transmitters

Amphenol Wilcoxon's iT series of intelligent vibration transmitters convert dynamic vibration signals to a 4 mA to 20 mA output. They connect standard IEPE accelerometers and velocity sensors to process control systems (like a PLC, DCS, or SCADA system) for 24/7 online monitoring, allowing machine health to be continuously trended over time. iT transmitters also provide access to raw vibration data that can be used for detailed spectrum analysis and fault diagnosis when vibrations trend upward or after a 4 mA to 20 mA alarm level has been triggered.

Unlike pre-programmed vibration transmitters with factory-set parameters, the iT300 and iT301 intelligent transmitters are user configurable. Selectable band filters and detector types (i.e., RMS, peak) make it easy to tailor the processing to specific machines or applications. The transmitter continually measures and processes two separate configurable vibration bands, a true peak detector band, an optional temperature input, and the sensor’s bias output voltage (BOV) to confirm sensor operation. The iT301 transmitter can communicate using Modbus-TCP or Modbus serial and has low/high alarms mappable to a single relay.

While vibration trending is useful and effective, dynamic vibration data (the time waveform and frequency spectrum) provides the highest level of data in determining the cause of increased vibration. Low-frequency measurements, HFD, and transient spikes in vibration from loose components or impacting are best monitored with accelerometers or velocity transducers in combination with a vibration transmitter for trending data. This allows 4 mA to 20 mA data to be sent to a control system or local display and alarm module without losing the raw vibration data necessary for diagnosing complex machine problems with a portable data collector.