Vishay Precision Group Inc. announced that its VPG Process Weighing division's BLH-Nobel Weighing Systems G4 family of multichannel weight/force indicators has received certification from FM Approvals. The G4 family has been approved to standards 3600, 3611, 3810, and ANSI/NEMA 250 for electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations and electronic test, measuring, and process control equipment.

FM Approvals offers worldwide certification and testing services of industrial and commercial loss prevention products. Recognized and respected across the globe, FM Approvals certification assures customers that a product or service has been objectively tested and conforms to the highest national and international standards.

VPG's G4 instruments offer high speed and performance for industrial applications such as process weighing and control, force measurement, web tension measurement and control, automation, force vector calculations, high dynamic force measurement, and high-speed batching/blending systems. The units are certified to link to a wide variety of communication interfaces, including Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernets/IP, Modbus/RTU, USB, RS485, RS232, and Modbus/TCP.

The G4 family is offered with four base mounting options: DIN rail (RM), panel (PM), desktop (DT), and harsh environment (HE). The IP65-rated G4-PM, DT, and HE are equipped with a 5.7-inch color touchscreen and graphic display for quick, easy operation and simple parameter changes. The screen displays up to four weighing/force channels simultaneously, allowing the user full control of multiple process vessels. The IP20-rated G4-RM is intended for blind applications and requires a PLC/DCS interface.

The G4-PM, DT, and HE accommodate up to six different, easily installed modules for advanced performance, more functional channels, custom applications, or repair, while the G4-RM can be equipped with up to three modules. The modular nature of the units provides customers with a highly flexible, upgradeable, single instrument system capable of weighing up to eight independent vessels or scales. For web tension applications, up to six zones can be monitored simultaneously with the G4-RM. By providing the largest scale capability available, the G4 units offer economical solutions, as each can replace multiple instruments from other manufacturers.

The G4 units can be configured for either 24VDC or 115/230VAC operation. Software upgrades can be downloaded from VPG's Web site and transferred to the instruments via a standard USB port connection. Custom software designed to customer requirements for special applications is available upon request, and is easily accommodated by the units' Microsoft Windows CE software platform. Remote access via a standard Web browser allows for simple set-up, monitoring, and diagnostic tests.

Further information about the G4 instruments and other VPG Processing Weighing products is available at www.weighingsolutions.com.