Sometimes the panels shipped from panel shop to customer locations reach the destination in a bad shape. This happens often when the panels are dropped/subjected to excessive shocks and vibration, water, heat, etc. during transit.

Are there any such devices available which can detect such mishandling?

Once I came across a device that was having alcohol filled in a glass capillary and it was marked on it “If you see this red liquid in the pocket(s) a, b or c that means the panel was mishandled during transit”

Can anyone suggest something on these lines?

Thank you,

Vikas

 

Try http://www.shockwatch.com/

 

palletize your panels better.

 

There are small devices that can be attached to a shipped device or container that can indicate damage during transit. An example of these can be found at:

http://www.stretchpak.com/Products___Services/Shiping_Products/Shock_Detecto
rs/shock_detectors.html

Bill Mostia
=====================================================
William(Bill) L. Mostia, Jr. P.E.
Partner
exida.com
Worldwide Excellence in Dependable Automation
[email protected] (b) [email protected] (h)
www.exida.com 281-334-3169
These opinions are my own and are offered on the basis of Caveat Emptor.

 

Unfortunately I do not have a solution for detecting damage. However, if you are looking to eliminate loose wires due to rough shipping/handling you should consider wiring your panels with CAGE CLAMP spring pressure connection technology. This is a screwless technology that offers a dynamic contact pressure and therefore guarantees that the wiring in the panels you ship remain intact without any maintenance required. This technology is offered in PLC's, I/O, Power Supplies, Relays, Contactors, Interface Boards, Signal Conditioners, Terminal Blocks, etc. WAGO was the inventor of this technology and has the most extensive line. Check it out at http://www.wago.com

 

You want an accelerometer. Googling around came up with this:

http://www.agmcontainer.com/desiccant/shockwatch_city.com/mag2000.htm

I have second-hand experience where use of an accelerometer proved the carrier's culpability for a damaged (dropped) panel.

I've always preferred a dedicated truck for handling the panels I'd painstakingly created.

 

Ahh, I remember one off-shore job in Singapore where a panel literally slipped out of the straps during offloading and took a salt-water bath in 20 feet of water (luck was only termination blocks inside, so was somewhat salvagable).

What you want must be fairly common - in Singapore we used to use a plastic sticker about 3 inches square with a plastic "anchor" shaped form. Inside was a red powder and the backing was sticky. So if the panel was tipped more than 20 degrees to any side the red powder would adhere to the backing and we'd be able to see how far it was tipped - plus there was a glass vial to detect shock. We got them thru the freight forwarder we used.

Go to a stockist and search for "shock indicator". For example http://www.mcmaster.com/ as several models.

best regards - LynnL www.digi.com, Snr Prin Engineer for email address see: http://www.iatips.com/contact.html

 

Dear All,

Thanks a lot for your help.
I will get back to you in case I need further information/help.

Regards,

Vikas

 

Just a note on the self stick tip teller... They are removable... Not Good!! Dedicated is the only way to go. Have had many panels show up at the end-user looking like they have been unloaded with a cannon.

 

Use a good, honest, reliable shipper. Have a representitive of your company inspect and sign off on the item before the shipper leaves the site. Some items will come loose (nameplates, a wire clamp or such) and not be a serious problem, but obvious shipping damage is well obvious. I shipped large compressors and re-fueling equipment world wide, and only had one problem in 5 years. But like I said, have a reliable person inspect and sign for the equipment, when your talking about a 250K to 1.5M piece of gear (pieces of gear), you had better have some one there who is going to completely inspect it and sign for, othrewise there is a claim that the shipper must resolve.

I never relied upon the various shock meters or indicators, because a rough bump on the road or a jolt from the fork lift can cause a false response. When the thing has been dropped 4 feet, or slammed by another vehicle, you need to be worried. Also talk with various shippers regarding the bes tway to crate a piece of gear for a long trip via truck or plane or rail. The yare happy to provide you the info you need.

MJH