With the recent launch of the Raychem Elexant 3500i in North America, our new product family of electronic thermostats, customers have the flexibility to choose the right electronic thermostat variant based on their unique heat tracing needs:
- Standard
- Alarming
- Communicating
- Current Sensing
- Ground Fault Detecting
Our Standard and Alarming variants are a step up from a mechanical thermostat. The Communicating, Current Sensing and Ground Fault Detecting variants however, are more advanced as they enable features that provide customers with connectivity. These three variants close the gap between mechanical thermostats and our more advanced industrial controllers like the Raychem Elexant 4010i.
What is so valuable about the Communicating, Current Sensing and Ground Fault Detecting variants?
Each of the thermostats in the Elexant 3500i family have a modular design, this means that a customer can easily switch out one variant for another – the enclosure is the same (you can select between wall mounted or on-pipe), the module is the component that is unique and can be interchanged. The Communicating, Current Sensing and Ground Fault variants enable have a local indicator light, alarm relay, quick connect terminals, one or more temperature sensors, secured configuration, and central communication (RS485 & Bluetooth). These particular variants enable connected operation and automated monitoring as well. Users can:
- Configure via Bluetooth on a mobile device or tablet with the Raychem Elexant Connect App
- Connect to a distributed control system (DCS) for remote control and monitoring, and thus can access anytime, anywhere.
- Use the find me feature via Bluetooth connection to quickly identify and locate specific Elexant 3500i thermostats in the field
The Ground Fault Detecting and Current Sensing variants give you everything the Communicating variant does in addition to an auto-test every 24 hours, and low current sensing and the ability to detect ground fault current.
Why are the Communicating, Current Sensing and Ground Fault variants so useful in an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Setting?
Given all three of these variants enable Bluetooth and RS485 communications and work with the Elexant Connect App, they can be accessed remotely which enables site operators with the ability to monitor at a desk or anywhere they choose vs. having to be right at the unit itself to control and monitor it. These variants are more advanced for monitoring purposes so site operators can readily determine if low current alarms or ground fault protection issues arise without having to be on site directly.
As more and more industrial sites adopt IIoT enabled technologies, the Raychem Elexant 3500i Communicating, Current Sensing and Ground Fault Detecting variants are already equipped for connectivity across a plant. The Standard and Alarm variants can also be interchanged for either of the three connected variants for an easy upgrade as connectivity in the future evolves for a site.
To learn more about Raychem Elexant 3500i, visit the product page here on our website.
If you’re looking to upgrade from a mechanical thermostat to a Standard or Alarming 3500i variant or greater, contact our Customer Care Team today at 1-800-545-6258.