Versatile CPI Thermals Rack Up Design-In’s

CPI thermal switches aren’t for everyone. They are not consumer products, probably overkill for automotive use, and generally not designed for simple, disposable thermal sensor type applications.

But If your application exists inside million dollar equipment which is vibrating like a shaved penguin during winter at the south pole, well now you’re getting close to the reason our switches exist. In extreme conditions of heat, wind, smoke, oil, vibration or exposed to freezing rain, sleet and ice, our switches perform reliably, protecting men and machines from mission critical failures.

And now with the addition of the RTD1000, CPI adds continuous temperature sensing to its resume, with the same operational footprint, durability and toughness as our legendary thermal switches.

Here’s a few applications where CPI thermal switches were chosen above all others:

1. Jet engine overtemp detection – In one of the most demanding applications to date.  CPI thermal switches surround the blades in a jet engine carefully monitoring for overheat and tripping alarms before failure, and enabling cooling systems.
2. Fluid Valve Overheat Detection – hydraulic fluid on Navy vessels really does some work and CPI M-Series thermal switches prevents the associated valves from becoming overheated and failing.
3. Plastic Extruder Machines – When running full bore, these machines can get quite hot but our thermal switches prevent any runaway thermal conditions from developing.
4. An aircraft engine bypass generates some serious heat but CPI thermals can activate cooling systems only when necessary.
5. Fire Detection In every application from galley fire detection, to engine and avionics bay temperature detection, to large military aircraft where their exact usages are classified, fire detection is a mainstay of CPI thermal use because of their high temperature capability. Typically used for this is our Rod & Tube style thermals with temperature performance up to 1750F.
   NOTE: CPI Switches have been used as Fenwal replacement switches in dozens of aircraft fire safety applications since Fenwal is out of business. CPI switches have JOSCAR Level 2 certification for the aviation industry.
6. Freeze Detection– Most think of thermals checking when things get too hot, but our switches are one of the few in the world that can check when things get too cold!  In a weapons system, this can be used to ensure that internal heaters are activated that prevent the electronics from failing due to freezing conditions.
7. APU backup temperature monitoring. In this fail-safe application CPI thermals operate on both commercial and military jet APU’s.

CPI thermal switches are also approved replacements for Fenwal switch P/N 17343-62-xxx (xxx is set point) and 17346-62-xxx as used on multiple aircraft types including:

• Beech Hawker 900 xp aircraft
• Pratt and Whitney PT6A type engine used in a Piper Cub
• Gulfstream APU’s
• Prat and Whitney 206B engine used on Metroliner and Eurocopter EC135’s

Robust Temperature Control and RTD Thermal Monitoring is Here to Stay

While many applications have gone the way of sensors and controllers, there are still distinct advantages to electromechanical temperature control – units perform completely self-contained switch closure, the thermocouple is extremely reliable and durable, and the overall solution is cost-effective. Specifying the right thermal switch and having a complete understanding of system characteristics and thermal parameters in advance will ensure success in your applications. 

Originally published at: https://www.cpi-nj.com/versatile-cpi-thermals-rack-up-design-ins-2/