Alliance Sensors Group’s LA-25-R series of AC-LVDT linear position sensors have been designed for use in steel, aluminum, and paper mills; fluid power systems; and steam or hydro power plants. These heavy duty sensors use a thick wall aluminum housing (stainless steel available) with an open bore and radial terminations that include a cable in a cord grip, a heavy duty industrial connector, or an optional high temperature connector, with which the LA-25-R is a natural choice as a heavy duty replacement for older through-bore LVDTs with a radial connector found in some steam power plants for valve position.
The core of the LA-25-R is enclosed in a 3/8 inch diameter stainless steel connecting rod assembly from which it can never break loose, and which has a male threaded end for connection to a user’s workpiece or many optional end pieces available from ASG. Because it has an open bore, an LA-25-R has no shaft seal around the operating rod, but it still has an internal stop for the fully retracted core rod to facilitate mechanical setup.
The LA-25-R series LVDT are ideal for roller gap measurement, head box feedback, control valve shaft position, and hydraulic actuator position feedback. They have the ruggedness to withstand the harsh environments in steam power plants; paper, steel, and aluminum mills; industrial fluid power systems; and hydroelectric plants, and can survive industrial wash downs and equipment cleaning operations. Mated with an Alliance Sensors’ model SC-200 DIN-rail-mounting LVDT signal conditioner, an LA-25-R LVDT based system becomes an ideal solution for almost any heavy industrial position measuring applications. For power plant applications, an ASG model S2A is the recommended DIN-rail-mounting LVDT signal conditioner to use with an LA-25-R series LVDT.
- - Stock Ranges: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or 16 Inches (75 mm to 400 mm) Full Scale
- - Works in 3-Wire, 4-Wire, 5-Wire, 6-Wire, and Ratiometric (A-B/A+B) Systems
- - 5/16-24 or M8 x 1.25 Male Threaded Shaft End
- - Core Totally Enclosed in 3/8 Inch (9.5 mm) Diameter Core Extension Rod
- - Open Bore for Easy Cleanout
- - Continuous Operation to 250 °F (120 °C)
- - Environmentally Sealed to IEC IP-68
| Available FS Ranges: | 0 to 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or 16 inches (0 to 75, 150, 225, 300, 375, or 400 mm) |
| Excitation Frequency: | 2.5 - 3.3 kHz |
| Excitation Voltage: | 3.0 V ACrms (nominal) |
| Full Scale Output: | 0.83 ±10% V ACrms output (nom.) from differentially connected (S1-S2) secondaries (ref: 3 Vrms excitation); sum of secondaries output is constant over range for ratiometric (S1-S2)/(S1+S2) operation |
| Linearity Error: | ≤±0.5% of FSO |
| Operating Temperature: | -40 to 120 °C (-40 to 250 °F) |
| Temperature Coefficient: | ≤±0.025% FSO/degree C |
| Humidity: | 95% RH non-condensing |
| Shock: | 1000 g, 11 msec. |
| Vibration: | 5-20 Hz, 0.5 inch p-p; 20-2000 Hz, 4.2 g p-p |
Series | Range inches | Termination |
LA-25-R- | XX- | XX- |
| 03 - 3” | 00- cord grip with 1 m cable |
| 06 - 6” | 02- 6-pin PT02-10-6P |
| 09 - 9” | 06- 6-pin Turck minifast connector |
| 12 - 12” |
|
| 15 - 15” |
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| 16 - 16” |
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LA-25-R-XX Configurations | ||||||
LA-25-R-XX | -03 | -06 | -09 | -12 | -15 | -16 |
Dim ‘L’ | 8.12”L | 11.87”L | 14.87”L | 18.87”L | 22.87”L | 22.87”L |
If you are looking for CAD drawings of our LA-25-R sensor, simply call us at 856-727-0250 or use the online contact us form by clicking here.
Why Heavy-Duty Construction with Remote Electronics Conquers Extreme Industrial Challenges
The LA-25-R Series heavy-duty AC-LVDT position sensor with remote electronics delivers uncompromising performance in the world's most punishing industrial environments through its unique combination of oversized mechanical construction and separated signal conditioning. This 25mm diameter sensor withstands extreme forces, temperatures, and contamination that destroy standard sensors, while remote electronics enable installation in previously impossible locations. When failure means production losses, the LA-25-R Series provides the reliability industrial operations demand.
Traditional heavy-duty sensors integrate all components in housings that often won't fit in available spaces. The LA-25-R's innovative architecture places only the essential mechanical elements at the measurement point, relocating electronics to benign environments. This separation strategy enables heavy-duty performance in space-constrained applications while improving maintainability and extending operational temperature ranges beyond integrated sensor limits.
Understanding Heavy-Duty Design Requirements
True heavy-duty construction goes beyond simply increasing wall thickness. The LA-25-R Series incorporates multiple design elements working synergistically to survive extreme conditions. Oversized bearings rated for radial loads exceeding 500 pounds prevent premature wear from misalignment or side loading. Triple-sealed construction creates multiple contamination barriers, ensuring functionality even if primary seals degrade.
Material Selection for Extreme Conditions
Standard stainless steel proves adequate for many heavy-duty applications. The LA-25-R utilizes specialized alloys selected for specific environmental challenges. Stainless steels provide superior corrosion resistance in marine environments. Precipitation-hardened grades maintain dimensional stability at elevated temperatures. These premium materials justify their cost through extended service life in conditions that rapidly degrade standard alloys.
Remote Electronics Architecture Benefits
Separating electronics from mechanical elements solves multiple challenges simultaneously. High-temperature applications that would destroy integrated electronics become routine when only the sensing coil experiences extreme heat. The robust coil assembly survives continuous 350°F exposure while electronics remain in ambient conditions.
Maintenance accessibility improves dramatically with remote electronics. Calibration, troubleshooting, and module replacement occur without entering confined spaces or hazardous areas. This architecture proves especially valuable in nuclear applications where minimizing radiation exposure drives design decisions.
Primary Applications Demanding Ultimate Durability
Primary metals production represents the most challenging environment for position sensors. In aluminum smelters, the LA-25-R monitors anode positioning while exposed to molten metal splatter, extreme heat, and corrosive fluoride emissions. The heavy-duty construction survives where standard sensors fail within days, enabling precise process control critical for efficiency and quality.
Marine and offshore applications leverage the LA-25-R's corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Ship rudder position, offshore crane operations, and valve control demand absolute reliability in saltwater environments with extreme mechanical loads. The remote electronics configuration enables deck-mounted controls while sensing elements endure seawater conditions.
Installation Strategies for Maximum Reliability
Heavy-duty sensors require equally robust installation practices. Mounting structures must handle not only sensor weight but also applied forces during operation. Gusseted brackets prevent flexing under load while oversized fasteners resist loosening from vibration. These mechanical details determine whether installations achieve expected service life.
Alignment proves critical in heavy-duty applications where forces amplify any misalignment effects. Precision installation fixtures ensure proper orientation while flexible couplings accommodate thermal growth and mechanical tolerance stack-up. Investing in proper installation tooling prevents premature failures that negate heavy-duty sensor benefits.
Cable System Design for Extreme Environments
The cable connecting remote electronics represents a critical system component requiring careful specification. Continuous flexing applications demand specialized cable constructions with fine-stranded conductors and flexible armor. Static installations in high-temperature areas utilize mineral-insulated cables maintaining signal integrity to 1000°F.
Junction boxes between sensor and electronics must match the heavy-duty philosophy. Cast stainless enclosures with redundant seals provide necessary protection. Internal terminal strips rated for temperature extremes prevent connection failures. These details distinguish professional installations from those experiencing chronic reliability issues.
Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance
Heavy-duty applications typically involve critical equipment where unexpected failures cause significant losses. The LA-25-R's robust signal output enables sophisticated condition monitoring beyond position measurement. Frequency analysis reveals bearing wear progression while trending DC resistance indicates insulation degradation from thermal aging.
Modern predictive maintenance programs leverage this diagnostic capability. Established baseline signatures during commissioning provide comparison standards. Automated monitoring systems alert maintenance personnel to developing issues before they impact production. This proactive approach transforms maintenance from reactive firefighting to planned optimization.
Integration with Plant-Wide Monitoring Systems
The LA-25-R's remote electronics simplify integration with plant-wide monitoring networks. Standard industrial 4-20mA output to the PL:C controllers enable seamless data exchange with distributed control systems. Edge computing devices perform local analysis while streaming relevant data to enterprise systems for fleet-wide optimization.
Cloud-based analytics platforms aggregate sensor data across multiple facilities, identifying best practices and common failure modes. This collective intelligence improves maintenance strategies while benchmarking performance across similar applications. The initial investment in heavy-duty sensors returns value through operational insights impossible with basic instruments.
Economic Justification Through Total Cost Analysis
While LA-25-R sensors command premium prices, comprehensive economic analysis reveals compelling value in appropriate applications. Avoided production losses from a single prevented failure often exceed the entire sensor investment. Reduced maintenance exposure in hazardous environments provides measurable safety benefits with associated cost reductions.
Extended calibration intervals and service life reduce long-term operational costs below those of frequently replaced standard sensors. Standardizing on heavy-duty sensors for critical applications simplifies inventory management while ensuring consistent performance. These lifecycle benefits justify specification in applications where reliability directly impacts profitability.
The LA-25-R Series heavy-duty AC-LVDT with remote electronics represents the ultimate position sensing solution for extreme industrial environments. Its combination of oversized mechanical construction and separated electronics enables measurements in conditions that destroy conventional sensors while improving maintainability and safety. Engineers responsible for critical industrial equipment consistently specify the LA-25-R Series, understanding that its exceptional durability ensures continuous operation when failure is not an option.
Download AC-LVDT Position Sensor LA-25-R Datasheet
