A rollover isolation switch developed at its research and development facility in Adelaide, Redarc’s newest release is a Rollover Sensor (ROS) which works together with the Battery Master Isolation Switch (BMIS) to automatically shut down all truck electrics when it identifies a dangerous angle, minimising the chance of a spark.
“The Rollover Sensor works hand in hand with the BMIS to provide a total safety solution for heavy-duty vehicles,” says Stuart Peddle, Redarc OEM Business Development Manager. “While the products are able to be flexibly used with other brands of isolation switch or rollover sensor products, when they are paired together there are a number of extra advantages.”
The ROS and BMIS combo has dual fault protection, which reduces the possibility for a wiring fault to provide a false trigger and enact the electric shutdown.
“False triggers from wiring faults are a high risk issue with other products, particularly as the truck ages and wires become corroded,” explains Stuart. “Two separate signals are required to activate the BMIS, which reduces the likelihood of nuisance operation due to wire damage.”
The ROS has been in development for a little over two years, which included a number of both simulated and real-life testing processes to military vibration and ISO environmental, accelerated life standards.
“We held pretty rigorous field-testing with fleets in SA and mining customers in WA to corroborate the results of our simulations,” says Stuart. “They have resulted in outstanding results in extreme conditions, with the product boasting a high environmental tolerance and minimised corrosion, water ingress and mud.”
Australian standards for rollover sensors require them to be checked every three months once they are installed to make sure they are working correctly, so Redarc has developed the ROS with a few ‘smart little mechanisms’ to aid in the process.
“The test requires you to tilt the sensor to trigger it, then put it back to normal,” explains Stuart. “A unique feature of the Redarc ROS is its captive pin system, you have to use a tool to unlock it to test it, then return the pin for it to work again, which ensures that it wont falsely trigger during transit and can’t be tampered with.
“Both the BMIS and the ROS were conceived, designed, developed and tested right here in Australia to ensure that it is perfectly suited to local conditions.”
To ensure Australia’s rough roads don’t trigger the ROS, the algorithms of its dual accelerometer require multiple detections in line with the two to three second window required for Australian standards. “Our engineers and developers have thought of everything with the design of this new product,” Stuart says.
Though isolation switch and rollover sensors are only enforced for Dangerous Goods vehicles, the applications for the products are much further reaching. “Any vehicle that rolls over and still has power running has a risk of an electrical spark that could cause a fire. All vehicles can benefit from the BMIS and ROS combo.”