Perpetuum Energy Harvesters Increase Update Rates onWireless Instruments

At the ISA Automation Week in Orlando (Sept. 25 - 28), Perpetuum, designer and manufacturer of electro-magnetic vibration energy harvesters, showed how their products can eliminate the need for battery replacement even at data collection update rates faster than 5 seconds.

For a long time harvesters have been recognised as the way to eliminate battery changes for wireless devices. This avoids the cost, disruption and logistical challenges associated with replacing batteries in wireless sensor networks, especially in hazardous or remote locations where the cost of changing batteries escalates rapidly.

According to Perpetuum spokesman Keith Abate, "Results from field trials in Process Monitoring environments have demonstrated the value of Vibration Energy Harvesters and shown that the latest production harvester power output is even higher than previously achieved. This means update rates can usually be very much higher, without premature battery failure."