BAC Corrosion Control has introduced a new identification system that can be incorporated into cathodic protection equipment and test facilities to retain and manage information and data. The heart of BAC’s Smart Point® is a tiny electrical microchip based tag or label.
The chip itself is embedded in a corrosion resistant metal disc that can be permanently attached to components and test equipment and is available in several sizes. The smallest is 3.5mm diameter and 0.8mm thick. Next comes a 5mm diameter version, 1.25mm thick and then there is a 7mm long M3 hexagon headed screw type. The largest is on the head of a 11.5mm long M5 hex screw. The two 3.5mm tags and the M3 screw version have memory capacities of two 58-character pages each. For the 5mm label and the M5 screw memory capacity increases to four 122-character pages. Labels will operate within the temperature range –25ºC to +85ºC, which means that they can be used on systems all over the world, from the Arctic Circle to the Tropics.
Reading and writing Smart Point® labels is achieved with a handheld computer, such as a Palm®, or laptop computer via a read/write pen. The handheld can also be provided with a barcode reader to convert existing data to Smart Point® format. There are also connectivity and software options for laptop or desktop PC’s.
As access to the Smart Point® label memory is very secure, it can be used to save and manage data from test facilities and power supplies in cathodic protection systems. This enables the operator to compare data from previous surveys and confirm that data has been collected. Non-changing data can be retained on permanent pages of the label with changing data kept on other editable pages.
The Smart Point® label can also hold information on the origin and conformity of a product and can be used to record serial numbers and ratings of transformer rectifiers, or similar equipment. It can retain basic data, typically service information such as model type and dates of manufacture, installation, calibration and commissioning.
The information is preserved throughout the entire life of the equipment and therefore is a useful aid to traceability. Due to their small size, labels can be hidden within the equipment thus permitting access by approved personnel only, if required. From the first time of use the Smart Point® label is irreversibly dedicated to the customer’s application.