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Accurate, reliable temperature measurement is one of the quiet workhorses of the energy industry. From well pads and separators to gas plants and refineries, temperature sensors help protect equipment, maintain product quality, and keep people safe. But in hazardous (classified) locations, even small oversights in how temperature assemblies are specified can create hidden compliance risks.
United Electric Controls (UE) has introduced three new UE FM-certified explosion-proof temperature sensor assemblies designed specifically to address these gaps. Westech Industrial Ltd., UE’s distributor for Western Canada, is pleased to bring these assemblies to oil & gas, gas processing, and petrochemical facilities across the region.
These new assemblies combine the sensor and terminal head into one certified package, avoiding a common pitfall in hazardous-area temperature monitoring: pairing an explosion-proof head with an unrated RTD or thermocouple and assuming the full assembly is compliant.
The Hidden Risk in “Mix-and-Match” Temperature Assemblies
In many plants, it’s standard practice to:
- Specify an explosion-proof or flameproof terminal head
- Pair it with a separate RTD or thermocouple element
- Install the combined assembly in a hazardous area
On paper, this can look acceptable because the head itself carries the right rating. In reality, the certification often applies only to the terminal head—not the complete assembly. To be fully compliant, the entire temperature assembly (head plus sensor) should be evaluated and certified as a unit for use in hazardous locations.
The result of mix-and-match solutions can be:
- Compliance blind spots – Risk that the actual installed assembly isn’t covered under the certification basis.
- Inspection headaches – Difficulty proving conformity to auditors or AHJs when the assembly is built from multiple components sourced at different times.
- Inconsistent performance – Variations in mechanical fit, vibration resistance, and thermal response depending on how the sensor is mated to the head in the field.
For operators in the Canadian energy sector—where hazardous-area classifications and regulatory oversight are stringent—these issues can turn into unplanned rework, delays, or even forced changes to installed equipment.
UE’s New FM-Certified Assemblies: A Complete, Stand-Alone Solution
To address these challenges, UE’s Applied Sensor Technologies division has released three new FM-certified explosion-proof styles, available as a 100 Ω RTD or mineral-insulated thermocouple. Crucially, the FM approval applies to the complete assembly—both the sensor and the terminal head.
This simplifies specification and gives engineers confidence that the installed device is compliant as a stand-alone unit in hazardous areas.
The Three New Styles
- Style 79 – RTD assembly derived from UE’s proven ONE Series design
- Available as a 100 Ω RTD
- Based on a robust sensor platform used in UE’s ONE Series electronic switch and transmitter line
- Ideal for applications where you don’t require a local display or setpoint relay, but still need reliable, explosion-proof temperature monitoring
- Style 83 – RTD or thermocouple with spring-loaded sheath
- Available as either a 100 Ω RTD or mineral-insulated thermocouple
- Spring-loaded design maintains consistent tip contact in thermowells, improving response and repeatability
- Well-suited for process applications with vibration or where tight seating in the thermowell is critical
- Style 84 – RTD or thermocouple with welded process connection
- Available as either a 100 Ω RTD or mineral-insulated thermocouple
- Welded process connection provides a rugged, integrated solution for direct mounting
- Designed for demanding applications where mechanical integrity and leak-tightness are essential
Together, these three styles cover a wide range of installations in upstream, midstream, and downstream environments—from wellhead and separator temperature to pipeline, compressor, and fired-equipment monitoring.
How This Helps Canadian Energy Operators
For oil & gas and energy producers in Western Canada, these new assemblies directly address several recurring challenges.
1 Simplified Compliance in Hazardous Locations
Because the UE assemblies are FM certified as complete devices, selection and documentation become much simpler:
- Easier to demonstrate compliance for safety and regulatory audits
- Reduced risk of non-conforming “field-assembled” temperature sensors
- Clear certification path when assembling standard solutions across multiple sites or projects
This is particularly important in Class I / Division environments, where electrical equipment must be demonstrably suitable for the area classification.
2. Reduced Engineering and Procurement Burden
Specifying separate heads, adapters, and bare sensors for hazardous-area service can be time-consuming and prone to error. By choosing a fully certified UE assembly:
- Engineers can select a single part number instead of coordinating multiple components
- Procurement teams avoid mismatched hardware and unclear combinations
- Standardization across sites becomes easier, reducing spares inventory and simplifying maintenance training
For large operators with multiple plants, this can translate to real savings in time and total installed cost.
3. Reliable Temperature Measurement in Harsh Service
Applications like:
- Well pad and test separator temperature
- Dehydration units and amine systems
- Gas processing trains and fractionation columns
- Refinery heaters and fired equipment
- Compressor stations and pipeline facilities
all depend on stable, accurate temperature readings. The new UE assemblies are built for these environments with:
- Rugged mechanical construction for vibration and thermal cycling
- Proven RTD and mineral-insulated thermocouple elements
- Styles tailored to common mounting and thermowell configurations
That means fewer nuisance failures, more consistent data, and better support for safety systems, controls, and optimization initiatives.
4. Lower Lifecycle Risk
When a temperature assembly is clearly certified as a complete device, it reduces uncertainty throughout the lifecycle:
- Design phase: Clear documentation and certifications for project teams
- Construction & commissioning: Less rework if questions arise during inspections
- Operations & maintenance: Easier to replace like-for-like with confidence that certification is preserved
In an industry where unplanned downtime comes with a high price tag, that clarity is invaluable.
Westech Industrial: Local Support for UE Temperature Solutions in Western Canada
Westech Industrial Ltd. is UE’s distributor for Western Canada, supporting energy producers, pipeline operators, gas processors, and downstream facilities with:
- Application support for hazardous-area temperature monitoring
- Guidance on selecting the right style (79, 83, or 84) and sensor type (RTD vs thermocouple)
- Integration with existing temperature transmitters, safety systems, and control infrastructure
- Access to a wide portfolio of complementary instrumentation and safety products
Whether you’re standardizing temperature assemblies for a new project or looking to close compliance gaps in existing installations, Westech can help you evaluate where a fully FM-certified sensor assembly makes sense.
Learn More or Request a Quote
If your facility operates in hazardous (classified) areas and you want:
- Clear, stand-alone FM certification
- Robust, industrial-grade temperature sensing
- Simplified specification and procurement
then UE’s new explosion-proof temperature sensor assemblies are worth a closer look.
To discuss your application or request more information, contact Westech Industrial:
Phone: 1-800-912-9262
Email: [email protected]
Our team can help you identify the right configuration for your process conditions, area classification, and plant standards—so your temperature measurement strategy is as robust and compliant as the rest of your safety and control architecture.
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