Lightweight, EX-rated equipment provides extensive control capability

Tele Radio foresees a demand for its new lightweight EX-rated controllers in the offshore market.

Tele Radio of Gothenburg is a leading supplier of radio remote controllers, suitable for use in a wide range of ind-ustries and applications. The company was established in 1955 on the back of the growth in demand for automatic garage doors; however, over the past several years, it has been targeting more critical and complex applications with a series of rather more sophisticated devices.

In an effort to penetrate the offshore sector, Tele Radio has developed a robust, but lightweight, explosion-proof (EX-rated) controller based on its well established 460 system, used typically for controlling winches, doors, barriers. It is unusual for a lightweight device in that it operates at a frequency of 433 MHz FM for better control and reduced interference. It is capable of controlling up to eight functions simultaneously, and a further feature is its ability to maintain continuous control, where the selected operation continues as long as the transmitter button is depressed. According to Lars Elvind, the company's sales manager, no other suppliers offer this kind of relatively inexpensive controller for offshore use in hazard critical areas.

Widespread control

Tele Radio also manufactures a heavier duty, 16-function, 850 series controller, for use with cranes and other lifting equipment. This is a narrow-band FM device, which means it is possible to switch between 32 different frequencies. As a result, numerous pieces of equipment can be kept under remote control from the same hand-held transmitter in sequence. High level operating safety is guaranteed thanks to accurate, continuous transmission between transmitter and receiver and an active emergency stop with two separate relays.

After the company has assessed the demand for its lightweight 460 controller, a decision will follow about developing an offshore variant of its 850 model. Elvind explained that this was partly due to the time and effort needed to achieve the necessary approvals rather than the development cost of the device. It took the company a year and a half to gain EX certification for the 460 controller.

For more information contact Lars Elvind, Tele Radio. Tel: +46 31 748 54 60, Fax: +46 31 748 54 64, E-mail: [email protected]