News
EASING SUPPLY CHAIN CRUNCH
By Benjamin Brits
The Brazilian-based company with local distribution and support shows commitment to the SA market with solid stock levels . Full Gauge Controls , who partook in the recent FRIGAIR exhibition , has been in the controls sector since 1985 and now distributes to the local region though AB Controls . Stock availability in the region has been particularly tight of late owing to several global supply chain challenges and raw materials shortages .
“ We believe that with a local distribution partnership with AB Controls , we are able to offer most of our controllers to the local market , so there is no need to wait for shipments from the head office . Clients also benefit from a local support structure solving queries around the clock . Our products are made entirely in-house . The injection plant and the industrial building comprising a structure of 9 450m ² allow us to physically make the casings boxes through our injection moulding line . The industrial plant has a high technologic machines to enable us to print our PCBs ourself too , thus maintaining product quality . To avoid the critical scenarios that the market is currently experiencing , with raw materials and long lead times , one of our strategies has always been an investment in stock , scheduling the raw material orders a year ahead , so we keep large volumes in Brazil at our facilities and in the local region - our South African distributor in Johannesburg currently has very good stock availability under the circumstances of global shortages of electronics . This enables us , at any time , to supply what customers need ,” says Lidiane Burin , international business development manager .
Full Gauge has more than 100 controllers in their portfolio , the range of controllers can perform several functions such as rack compressor management that has six digital outputs ( 3 relays and 3 SSR ), 2 analog outputs ( 0-10V , 0-5V or 1-5V ), 8 digital inputs ( 4 for 24V and 5 dry contact ), 6 analog inputs ( NTC for temperature or 4-20mA for pressure ), 2 communication ports ( Sitrad and ModBus ) and more . In addition you can expand the number of inputs and outputs adding the RCK461 Plus , the expandable module , up to 10 units . This controller was one of the launches of Full Gauge during the FRIGAIR show , together with the HMI , that allow the user view and change setting of the rack controller via the LCD touch screen .
Controllers are user-friendly , allowing the installation and the configurations to be easily achieved . It is basically a table list of settings , you don ' t have menus and sub-menus . If you need to
© RACA Journal | Benjamin Brits
change setpoints or function it comes down to a matter of a few button presses and you are ready to go .
Full Gauge has a premium line of controllers for remote monitoring , called Sitrad Pro software and not new to the market , already running over 15 years . The software is free of charge and the company invest in the software features improvements , keeping a team of engineers working to improve development to the software as an ongoing function .
“ One of our strategies has always been an investment in stock .”
“ In our experience , one of the biggest benefits of adding the software for remote monitoring to the installation is that clients can have all their controllers and the data of their installations in the convenience of their hands . Another important point is that the software enables the user to change settings , you can generate
Availability of products is as important in the drive to energy efficiency .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I September 2022 11