SmartGas YK160-162 Series Miniature Displacement Sensor

Overview

The SmartGas YK160-162 Series Miniature Displacement Sensor is a precision non-contact or contact-based linear position transducer engineered for high-repeatability measurement in constrained mechanical and environmental monitoring systems. Unlike gas detection instruments — with which it is frequently misclassified due to distributor catalog cross-listing — this series operates on robust inductive, capacitive, or potentiometric sensing principles (model-dependent), delivering analog voltage or current outputs (e.g., 0–10 V, 4–20 mA) proportional to axial displacement. Its design prioritizes mechanical stability under thermal cycling and vibration, making it suitable for integration into structural health monitoring subsystems, HVAC damper actuation feedback loops, industrial valve position verification, and calibration fixtures where space, weight, and long-term drift resistance are critical constraints.

Key Features

• Compact form factor: YK160 variant measures only 46.0 × 57.9 × 41.2 mm and weighs just 113 g — enabling installation in tight enclosures or mobile sensor platforms.
• Threaded hub interface: Precision-machined threaded mounting surface ensures consistent axial alignment and minimizes runout-induced measurement error across repeated installations.
• Scalable range coverage: 60 standardized models span 0–1079.5 mm full-scale displacement, supporting incremental selection for application-specific resolution requirements without custom engineering.
• High repeatability: Engineered mechanical coupling and low-hysteresis sensing elements achieve repeatability better than ±0.02% FS under stable ambient conditions (23 °C ±2 °C, <60% RH).
• Robust environmental rating: IP65-rated housing (standard) provides protection against dust ingress and water jets, supporting deployment in industrial indoor environments and semi-outdoor enclosures.
• Electrical compatibility: Configurable output options include ratiometric analog signals compliant with IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC standards; optional RS-485 Modbus RTU interface available on YK162 variants.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The YK160-162 series does not analyze gaseous samples and is not a gas detector, alarm, or environmental monitor per regulatory definitions (e.g., EN 60079-29-1, UL 2075). It functions exclusively as a metrological displacement transducer. Its compliance profile includes CE marking per the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. Calibration traceability follows ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures via SmartGas’s European calibration laboratory (DAkkS-certified). Units are supplied with individual factory calibration certificates indicating linearity deviation, temperature coefficient of zero and span, and hysteresis values — essential documentation for GLP/GMP-aligned validation protocols in pharmaceutical and aerospace test infrastructure.

Software & Data Management

While the base YK160 operates as a stand-alone analog transducer, the YK162 variant integrates digital communication capability via RS-485 Modbus RTU, enabling seamless integration into SCADA, PLC, and data acquisition systems (e.g., National Instruments CompactDAQ, Siemens SIMATIC S7). SmartGas provides the open-source YK-Config Utility (Windows/Linux/macOS) for device parameterization — including zero/span adjustment, output scaling, and damping filter configuration — without proprietary dongles or subscription licensing. All configuration changes are stored in non-volatile memory and support audit-trail logging when deployed with compatible host controllers compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements (electronic signatures, change history, user access control).

Applications

• Feedback sensing in pneumatic/hydraulic cylinder position control systems
• Structural displacement monitoring in bridge expansion joints and seismic isolation bearings
• Calibration reference in automated test equipment (ATE) for force and pressure transducer verification
• Position verification of safety-critical actuators in cleanroom HVAC dampers and fume hood sash controls
• Dynamic motion profiling in academic and industrial robotics research platforms
• Long-term settlement monitoring in geotechnical instrumentation arrays (when paired with weatherproof enclosures and signal conditioning)

FAQ

Is the YK160-162 series certified for use in hazardous (explosive) atmospheres?

No. It lacks ATEX, IECEx, or UL HazLoc certification and must not be installed in Zone 0, 1, or 2 classified areas.
Does SmartGas provide NIST-traceable calibration certificates?

Yes — all units ship with DAkkS-accredited calibration certificates traceable to PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt); NIST-equivalent traceability is available upon request with additional lead time.
Can the sensor withstand continuous operation at 85 °C?

The standard operating temperature range is –20 °C to +70 °C. Extended-range variants (YK162-XT) support –40 °C to +85 °C and require explicit ordering.
What is the typical lifetime under cyclic loading at rated stroke?

Rated for ≥50 million full-stroke cycles at 1 Hz with ≤0.1 mm/s velocity; lifetime decreases predictably with increased acceleration or side-load exposure.
Is firmware update capability supported over RS-485?

Firmware updates are not field-upgradable; all YK162 units ship with final production firmware validated per IEC 62443-4-2 secure development lifecycle requirements.