Brand: Shinkawa

Shinkawa VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 Displacement Sensor

Name: Shinkawa VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 Displacement Sensor
Brand: Shinkawa

Description

Overview

The Shinkawa VL-202 sensor, type VL-202A08R-2012/EX5, is an eddy current displacement sensor belonging to the VK-202A transducer system, documented in the official VK-A series instruction manual (no. 20801E1.0). The complete system consists of the VL sensor, the VW extension cable and the VK driver, and measures the gap to a metallic target without physical contact.

Shinkawa eddy current transducers protect turbines, compressors and generators in power plants worldwide. This Shinkawa VL-202 sensor variant with the /EX5 suffix is the explosion-proof sensor configuration, making it a direct spare for hazardous-area machine trains.

Engineering & Design

According to the official VK-202A transducer instruction manual, the system utilizes eddy currents and measures the gap between the VL sensor and the measured object without physical contact, outputting a voltage signal proportional to distance. It offers a linear range of 2000 μm (approximately 80 mils) for JIS SCM440 (AISI 4140 steel) as the standard calibration material.

The Shinkawa VL-202 sensor mounts in the machine bearing housing with a defined air gap to the shaft, and the VW extension cable routes the high-frequency signal to the VK-202A driver, which converts it into a DC output proportional to the gap. The manual covers sensor installation accessories, mounting procedures, typical standard conduit arrangements and probe mounting arrangements, plus the standard static characteristic and frequency characteristic data used to verify the system. It also documents the required warm-up of more than 30 minutes before data collection, and the insulation and shielding rules that keep the eddy current signal clean in industrial environments.

The VK-202A system is described as the most suitable design for measuring high-speed shaft vibration, eccentricity and thrust position. Field wiring from the driver to the connecting instrument generally uses 3-wire shielded cable and can be extended up to 500 m maximum. The manual also specifies installation details such as connector insulation sleeves and warm-up requirements of more than 30 minutes before data collection.

Key Features

Shinkawa VL-202 sensor – VL-202A eddy current displacement sensor (VK-202A system)
Non-contact gap measurement with voltage output proportional to distance
Linear range 2000 μm (approx. 80 mils) on JIS SCM440 (AISI 4140)
Explosion-proof /EX5 configuration for hazardous areas
3-wire shielded output, extendable up to 500 m
Covered by official manual no. 20801E1.0 (Aug 2008)

Applications

High-speed shaft vibration monitoring on turbines
Thrust position and eccentricity measurement on compressors
Vibration monitoring on pumps, blowers and generators
Replacement of worn sensors in Shinkawa VM-5/VM-7 monitor systems

Specifications

Manufacturer	Shinkawa Electric Co., Ltd.
Sensor	VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 eddy current displacement sensor
System	VK-202A transducer (VL sensor, VW extension cable, VK driver)
Principle	Eddy current, non-contact
Linear range	2000 μm (approx. 80 mils), JIS SCM440 (AISI 4140)
Output	Voltage proportional to distance; 3-wire shielded, up to 500 m
Configuration	-2012/EX5 (explosion-proof variant)
Manual	VK-A series, no. 20801E1.0, Aug 2008

Compatibility

The Shinkawa VL-202 sensor mates with the VW extension cable and VK-202A driver to form a complete VK-202A transducer system, and connects to Shinkawa vibration monitors or compatible third-party monitoring inputs.

Ordering Information

Order the Shinkawa VL-202 sensor, type VL-202A08R-2012/EX5, as a direct replacement for the original sensor in your Shinkawa vibration train. Verify the cable length and connector configuration of your installation before ordering.

The VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 sensor measures the shaft vibration with the eddy current principle, and the sensor cable and the connector are matched to the Shinkawa driver unit.

The eddy current sensor chain covers the gap setting range of the standard vibration probe installation.

Why Seven Star LLC

Seven Star LLC supplies Shinkawa vibration spares to rotating machinery teams across Oman and the GCC. Each VL-202 sensor is verified against the original part number.

Our engineers help you verify the exact model and revision before ordering, avoiding costly mismatches.

Matching the Sensor to the Transducer System

An eddy current probe is calibrated as part of a system, so the sensor, extension cable and driver must belong to the same family and have compatible electrical lengths. Before ordering a replacement Shinkawa VL-202 sensor, read the full type code from the sensor cable tag or the original documentation and confirm:

The complete code, including case length and cable options, and the /EX5 suffix for hazardous areas
The VW extension cable and VK-202A driver installed in the loop
Mounting thread and the space available in the bearing housing
Target shaft material, since the standard calibration is for AISI 4140 steel

Probe Installation and Gap Setting

Mount the probe perpendicular to the shaft surface with enough clearance around the tip that nearby metal does not affect the field. Set the initial gap using the driver output voltage rather than feeler gauges alone, aiming for the middle of the linear range so that vibration and slow position changes stay within it. Tighten the lock nut, secure the cable against fretting, and insulate connectors as described in the manual. Allow the recommended warm-up time before recording baseline gap voltages.

Troubleshooting

Gap voltage at the limit – open or shorted cable, damaged probe, or loose connector
Noisy signal – ground loops or a damaged cable screen
Non-linear response – mismatched cable length or driver, or a target material different from the calibration
Slowly changing gap – loose probe mounting or genuine bearing wear; confirm before resetting

Use in Oman and the GCC

Explosion-proof probe variants are relevant on compressors and turbines in gas processing and petrochemical plants where the machine sits in a classified area. Seven Star LLC supplies Shinkawa probes, extension cables and drivers as matched sets or individual spares, checked against the type code before dispatch.

Request a Quote for Shinkawa VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 Displacement Sensor

For the Shinkawa VL-202 sensor or any related control and instrumentation requirement, contact the Seven Star LLC team. Submit a formal inquiry through our RFQ page with your measurement range, connection and configuration, and our specialists will respond with a detailed commercial proposal and the official Shinkawa documentation.

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About brand

Turbine and compressor trains in many Asian-built power and process plants are protected by Shinkawa vibration monitoring. Shinkawa Electric Co., Ltd. of Tokyo makes eddy current displacement transducers, vibration sensors and rack-based monitors for rotating machinery. Seven Star LLC lists Shinkawa VM-5 and VM-700 series monitor modules, sensors and converters, and sources them by full model code for machinery protection systems in Oman.

Shinkawa company profile

Roots	1927. Incorporated as Shinkawa Electric Co., Ltd. in 1951
Head office	Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Sensors	Displacement and vibration transducers made since 1977. Development and manufacture are at Shinkawa Sensor Technology (founded 1994) in Hiroshima
Product families	Eddy current proximity probes with drivers (converters), velocity and acceleration sensors, LVDTs, and machinery protection monitors and condition monitoring systems
Typical machines	Steam and gas turbines, generators, centrifugal compressors, large pumps and fans

Milestones

1927: The business that became Shinkawa starts in Japan.
1951: Incorporated as Shinkawa Electric Co., Ltd.
1977: Displacement and vibration transducers are first made.
1994: Shinkawa Sensor Technology is founded in Hiroshima for sensor development and manufacture.

Shinkawa monitors and sensors listed

Series	Function	Listed models
VM-5 rack	Machinery protection monitor system	VM-5K dual vibration, VM-5T thrust position, VM-5S tachometer, VM-5F temperature, VM-5P3 phase marker
VM-5 system modules	Relays, power, rack and communication	VM-5Y1 and VM-5Y7 relays, VM-5Z1 power supply, VM-5W1 rack, VM-53 communication
VM-700 series	Compact stand-alone vibration monitors	VM-701B, VM-704B, VM-741B, VM-751B1
VK series (VL model codes)	Eddy current displacement sensors	VL-202A08R, VL-452A11A
Converters	Probe drivers and signal converters	2M04-500

Shinkawa's current catalog also shows the FK transducer series and the VM-7 monitor. This matters when an older part has to be matched with a present-day equivalent.

How a Shinkawa protection chain works

An eddy current probe sits a set distance from the shaft. Its driver (converter) turns the gap into a voltage, and the monitor turns that voltage into vibration, thrust position or speed values with alert and danger set points. The probe, extension cable and driver are calibrated together for one total system length and one target material, usually AISI 4140 shaft steel. Changing one part without matching the other two shifts the calibration. The monitor relays feed the turbine or compressor trip logic, and buffered outputs go to analysis systems. Many protection systems of this kind are specified to API 670.

Where Shinkawa vibration monitoring is used

Shinkawa systems measure shaft vibration, axial (thrust) position, speed, phase reference and bearing temperature on steam turbines, gas turbines, generators, compressors, pumps and fans. In the GCC they are found mainly in power stations, desalination plants, refineries and petrochemical units with Japanese or Korean machinery packages.

Ordering Shinkawa parts: what we need

Shinkawa model codes are long and every field counts. A monitor code such as VM-5K-411512-000-000-111-0/IS0/EX5 defines the input type, range, options and suffix codes, so copy the complete string from the module label, including everything after the slashes. For sensors, send the VL or FK model code, probe tip diameter, cable length and the matching driver or converter model, since the probe, extension cable and driver work as a calibrated set. A serial number and a photo of the label help us confirm the item in the manufacturer's documentation. Where a model is no longer produced, we propose the successor the manufacturer names.

Facts checked against Shinkawa Electric company information and product documentation, October 2026.

Browse Shinkawa products by category: Vibration.

FAQ

Questions about the Shinkawa VL-202A08R-2012/EX5 Displacement Sensor

Answers from our engineering team on installation, compatibility and integration.

01What is the VL-202A sensor?

The Shinkawa VL-202 sensor is an eddy current displacement sensor from the VK-202A transducer system, measuring shaft gap without contact and outputting a voltage proportional to distance.

02What is the linear range of the VK-202A system?

The official VK-202A instruction manual states a linear range of 2000 um (approx. 80 mils) for JIS SCM440 (AISI 4140 steel) as the standard calibration material.

03What does the /EX5 suffix mean?

The /EX5 suffix marks the explosion-proof sensor configuration intended for installation in hazardous areas.

04How far can the sensor signal be extended?

Field wiring from the driver to the connecting instrument generally uses 3-wire shielded cable and can be extended up to 500 m maximum.

05What applications is the VK-202A designed for?

It is designed for high-speed shaft vibration, eccentricity and thrust position measurement on turbomachinery.