Description
Schaller Automation VISATRON VN 115/87-EMC Oil Mist Detector
Product Overview
The Schaller Automation VN 115/87-EMC is a VISATRON crankcase oil mist detector designed to continuously monitor the atmosphere inside large diesel engines for increasing oil-mist concentration. Instead of relying on a single temperature or pressure measurement, the system continuously draws crankcase atmosphere through sampling pipes and passes the extracted air through an optical measuring path. Infrared light is used to determine the opacity of the sampled atmosphere. An increase in opacity can indicate developing oil-mist conditions associated with overheating or abnormal friction inside the engine. Schaller documentation identifies the VN 115/87-EMC as part of the VISATRON VN/87 EMC family.
The electrical specification is straightforward but important for replacement work. The VN 115/87-EMC operates from 24 VDC ±25% and has a maximum power consumption of 3 A. Its relay outputs are rated for up to 60 V AC/DC and 2 A AC/DC, with limits of 60 W and 125 VA also specified in the technical documentation. The EMC designation is not cosmetic: Schaller’s declaration identifies VN 115/87-EMC as compliant with a defined set of electromagnetic-compatibility standards, including EN 55011 and several EN 61000/IEC 801 requirements.
For maintenance teams, the Schaller Automation VN 115/87-EMC should be regarded as an engine-protection device rather than ordinary instrumentation. The complete system includes the detector, measuring head, sampling arrangement, flexible bellows, filters, connection components, and related mechanical hardware. Schaller’s current spare-parts information still identifies individual components for the VN 115/87 EMC architecture, including measuring head 10601, heating element 10671/270765, filter 10042/365197, and connection casing 10202/10202R.
Product Introduction
Oil mist detection has a very specific job on large diesel engines: identify abnormal crankcase conditions before an oil-mist concentration can develop into a more serious engine-safety event. The VN 115/87-EMC performs continuous optical opacity measurement while extracting atmosphere from the engine crankcase through the connected sampling system.
For a legacy replacement, the critical checks are the complete VN 115/87-EMC designation, serial-number range, measuring-head configuration, sampling arrangement, power supply, and alarm wiring. Schaller’s EMC declaration specifically applies to units from serial number 11W-42202 onward, so the actual nameplate should be checked rather than assuming that every VN 115/87 unit has the same EMC configuration.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | VN 115/87-EMC |
| Manufacturer / Brand | Schaller Automation |
| Product Family | VISATRON VN/87 EMC |
| Product Type | Crankcase Oil Mist Detector |
| Measurement Method | Infrared optical opacity measurement |
| Operating Voltage | 24 VDC ±25% |
| Reverse-Battery Protection | Yes |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 3 A |
| Relay Output Rating | Maximum 60 V AC/DC, 2 A AC/DC |
| Maximum Relay Power | 60 W / 125 VA |
| Sampling Method | Continuous crankcase-atmosphere extraction |
| Primary Application | Large diesel engine crankcase protection |
| EMC Designation | VN 115/87-EMC |
| EMC Standards Listed | EN 50141, ENV 50204, EN 55011, EN 61000-4-2/-4-3/-4-4/-4-8 |
| Applicable EMC Serial Number | On and after 11W-42202 |
The electrical and EMC values above are taken from Schaller’s VN/87 technical documentation and declaration of conformity.
VN 115/87-EMC
Major Features and Advantages
Continuous crankcase atmosphere monitoring
The VN 115/87-EMC continuously extracts atmosphere from the crankcase through a connected sampling system. This allows the detector to monitor multiple engine spaces through the sampling arrangement rather than depending on one local temperature sensor. Schaller’s manual describes the system as continuously extracting crankcase atmosphere and passing it through an opacity measurement section.
Infrared optical measurement
The measuring principle is based on infrared-light opacity measurement. Increasing oil mist changes the optical characteristics of the sampled atmosphere, allowing the detector to identify a rising oil-mist concentration. This is fundamentally different from a simple pressure, temperature, or combustible-gas sensor.
Defined alarm sensitivity
The VN/87 documentation provides selectable alarm sensitivity settings. For the VN 115/87-EMC, the documented alarm levels range from approximately 0.5% to 25.0% opacity, depending on the selected switch position.
That range should not be confused with a universal engine alarm setting. The appropriate alarm threshold depends on the engine application and the approved commissioning configuration.
24 VDC industrial power architecture
The detector operates from 24 VDC ±25% and incorporates reverse-battery protection. Maximum consumption is specified as 3 A. This makes the supply requirement relatively simple, but the replacement supply should still be checked for voltage stability and sufficient current capacity under the actual installation conditions.
Relay-based engine protection interface
The documented relay outputs support up to 60 V AC/DC and 2 A AC/DC, with maximum power ratings of 60 W and 125 VA. These outputs allow alarm and system-status information to be integrated into the engine’s wider monitoring and shutdown architecture.
EMC-specific configuration
The -EMC designation represents a defined electromagnetic-compatibility configuration. Schaller’s declaration lists compliance with EN 50141, ENV 50204, EN 55011, and several EN 61000/IEC 801 requirements. The declaration applies to VN 115/87-EMC units on and after serial number 11W-42202.
Serviceable modular construction
The VN 115/87 EMC system is supported by individually identified service components. Current Schaller spare-parts information lists the measuring head, heating element, filters, flexible bellows, suspension components, seals, connection casing, and main connector separately.
That matters in the field. A weak oil-mist reading does not automatically mean the complete detector needs replacement. Sampling restrictions, dirty filters, damaged bellows, measuring-head condition, or connection problems should be investigated first.
Related Products
- Schaller VN 115/87Plus — Later VISATRON generation associated with the VN 115/87 platform; verify the complete electrical and communication configuration before treating it as a replacement.
- Schaller VN 115/93 — Later VN 115-series oil mist detector with a different generation and mechanical/electrical configuration.
- Schaller VN 116/87-EMC — Related VN/87 EMC detector for a different engine application/configuration.
- Schaller VN 215/87-EMC — Another VN/87 EMC oil mist detector configuration within the same product family.
- Schaller 10601 / 10601R — Measuring head associated with the VN 115/87 EMC; current spare-parts information identifies both exchange/reconditioned variants.
- Schaller 10671 / 270765 — Heating element for the measuring head.
- Schaller 10042 / 365197 — Fresh-air/scavenging-air filter used in the VN 115/87 EMC system.
- Schaller 10202 / 10202R — Connection casing associated with the VN 115/87 EMC.
- Schaller 10033 — Main connection socket for the VN/87 EMC family.
FAQ
What is the Schaller VN 115/87-EMC?
It is a VISATRON crankcase oil mist detector designed for continuous monitoring of oil-mist concentration in large diesel engines. The system uses extracted crankcase atmosphere and infrared optical opacity measurement.
What power supply does VN 115/87-EMC require?
The documented operating supply is 24 VDC ±25%, with reverse-battery protection. Maximum power consumption is specified as 3 A.
Is VN 115/87-EMC a PLC or DCS I/O module?
No. It is an engine-protection oil mist detector. Its relay outputs can interface with an engine monitoring or shutdown system, but the detector itself is a dedicated VISATRON protection device rather than general-purpose PLC/DCS I/O.
Can I hot-swap the VN 115/87-EMC?
Do not assume hot-swapping. This is an engine-protection device connected to sampling hardware and alarm/shutdown circuits. Power isolation and the engine’s approved maintenance procedure should be followed before disconnecting the detector or its field wiring.
Can VN 115/87-EMC be replaced directly by VN 115/87Plus?
The later VN 115/87Plus belongs to the same general product lineage, and secondary technical information describes it as mechanically and electrically compatible with the older VN 115/87 EMC. However, a live replacement should still be checked against the actual engine configuration, sampling arrangement, wiring, approvals, and required output/communication functions.
Does it support firmware v3.1?
A reliable source reviewed for the VN 115/87-EMC does not establish a firmware-v3.1 compatibility statement. This is an older dedicated engine-protection system, so firmware should not be inferred from the model number.
Does the detector retain a PLC-style user program?
No PLC-style user program should be assumed. The VN/87 EMC is a dedicated oil-mist detection system with configurable alarm sensitivity and dedicated detection/control functions. Configuration details should be documented during commissioning and service rather than treated as transferable PLC logic.
What should I check when buying New Surplus VN 115/87-EMC?
Check the complete VN 115/87-EMC nameplate, serial number, EMC designation, measuring head, optical section, filters, sampling connections, main connector, and enclosure condition. In particular, verify whether the unit falls within the serial-number range covered by Schaller’s EMC declaration. For an engine-protection application, functional testing is considerably more meaningful than visual inspection alone. Confirm the supplier’s actual warranty terms separately.
Procurement Note
The VN 115/87-EMC should be purchased as a complete engine-protection configuration, not merely as an enclosure or generic sensor. Schaller’s spare-parts documentation identifies the complete VN 115/87 EMC detector as old part number 10600, while the measuring head is separately identified as 10601 / 10601R.
Before releasing a replacement order, verify the engine type, number and routing of sampling pipes, measuring-head version, power supply, alarm/shutdown wiring, and serial number. The VN 115/87 EMC manual also provides a dedicated spare-parts structure for the measuring head, filters, bellows, suspension system, gaskets, connection casing, and main socket, so component-level service may be possible instead of replacing the complete detector.
One important lifecycle point: the VN 115/87-EMC is a legacy VISATRON model. Current Schaller service documentation still lists VN 115/87 EMC spare parts and exchange/reconditioned assemblies, so “legacy” should not be interpreted as “immediately unusable.” It does mean that the exact installed configuration and available service path deserve verification before a plant or vessel commits to a replacement strategy.
