Status Instruments found that its analogue temperature transmitters were at least a match for digital technology at a recent side-by-side test for Baxter Healthcare
Analogue temperature transmitters score Status Instruments found that its analogue devices were at least a match for digital technology at a recent side-by-side test for Baxter Healthcare Baxter Healthcare, one of the world's leading suppliers of intravenous solution sterilisers, is totally committed to improving its already exemplary record for product performance and reliability.
Its procedures for the control and monitoring of each and every one of its processes follow strict external and even stricter internal guidelines, and it has a 'Total Confidence' philosophy for its procedures which are fully open to external scrutiny.
As part of its continual routine validation process, the company has recently carried out a full review of the panel mount temperature transmitters used to control the sterilisers, to investigate if improvements could be gained from using in-head transmitters.
Eight different in-head temperature transmitters from leading manufacturers were trialled alongside the existing panel mount devices.
All the units were connected to long lead PT100 sensors and tests were carried out using a stable oil bath at 121C.
During the tests, all the probes were subjected to random electrical noise and stress. Baxter's in house specification of +/-0.1C for temperature transmitters is extremely tough.
The initial trials involved both digital and analogue transmitters and the Status Instruments 104P analogue device, supplied by distributor XL Instruments, came out as the most stable and with the best response time.
Although digital transmitters have significant advantages for certain applications, analogue devices are still widely used for their performance and stability.
Unlike many of its competitors, Status Instruments continues to develop and improve its range of analogue transmitters.
Baxter carried out further bench trials of the 104P before testing five units in-situ.
The transmitters were monitored over a 30 day period and when re-calibrated, they were found to be well within the required tolerance.
At this stage most companies would probably be content with these results, but Baxter decided to carry out a further two months trial.
All the units came through with flying colours.
An added bonus for Baxter is the fact that the 104P uses the same potentiometric adjustment method as the existing panel mount transmitters.
Therefore it does not need to change its well designed existing calibration procedure protocol.
