US Power Grids, Oil and Gas Industries, and Risk of Hacking

A report released in June, from the security firm Dragos, describes a worrisome development by a hacker group named, “Xenotime” and at least two dangerous oil and gas intrusions and ongoing reconnaissance on United States power grids.

Multiple ICS (Industrial Control Sectors) sectors now face the XENOTIME threat; this means individual verticals – such as oil and gas, manufacturing, or electric – cannot ignore threats to other ICS entities because they are not specifically targeted.

The Dragos researchers have termed this threat proliferation as the world’s most dangerous cyberthreat since an event in 2017 where Xenotime had caused a serious operational outage at a crucial site in the Middle East.

The fact that concerns cybersecurity experts the most is that this hacking attack was a malware that chose to target the facility safety processes (SIS – safety instrumentation system).

For example, when temperatures in a reactor increase to an unsafe level, an SIS will automatically start a cooling process or immediately close a valve to prevent a safety accident. The SIS safety stems are both hardware and software that combine to protect facilities from life threatening accidents.

At this point, no one is sure who is behind Xenotime. Russia has been connected to one of the critical infrastructure attacks in the Ukraine.  That attack was viewed to be the first hacker related power grid outage.

This is a “Cause for Concern” post that was published by Dragos on June 14, 2019.

“While none of the electric utility targeting events has resulted in a known, successful intrusion into victim organizations to date, the persistent attempts, and expansion in scope is cause for definite concern. XENOTIME has successfully compromised several oil and gas environments which demonstrates its ability to do so in other verticals. Specifically, XENOTIME remains one of only four threats (along with ELECTRUM, Sandworm, and the entities responsible for Stuxnet) to execute a deliberate disruptive or destructive attack.

XENOTIME is the only known entity to specifically target safety instrumented systems (SIS) for disruptive or destructive purposes. Electric utility environments are significantly different from oil and gas operations in several aspects, but electric operations still have safety and protection equipment that could be targeted with similar tradecraft. XENOTIME expressing consistent, direct interest in electric utility operations is a cause for deep concern given this adversary’s willingness to compromise process safety – and thus integrity – to fulfill its mission.

XENOTIME’s expansion to another industry vertical is emblematic of an increasingly hostile industrial threat landscape. Most observed XENOTIME activity focuses on initial information gathering and access operations necessary for follow-on ICS intrusion operations. As seen in long-running state-sponsored intrusions into US, UK, and other electric infrastructure, entities are increasingly interested in the fundamentals of ICS operations and displaying all the hallmarks associated with information and access acquisition necessary to conduct future attacks. While Dragos sees no evidence at this time indicating that XENOTIME (or any other activity group, such as ELECTRUM or ALLANITE) is capable of executing a prolonged disruptive or destructive event on electric utility operations, observed activity strongly signals adversary interest in meeting the prerequisites for doing so.”

Thermocouple Extension Wire

Thermocouple extension wire is a single pair wire that cannot be made into a thermocouple, but is used to carry the signal from a thermocouple to the recorder, controller, or instrument reading the signal.

Extension grade wire is used to carry a signal representing the higher temperature seen by the sensing location, but extension wire itself cannot be generally exposed to those higher temperatures.

Extension wire cannot be used to make a thermocouple, but thermocouple wire can be used as extension wire. Insulation is typically PVC, but other option are available.

Multi-pair extension wire is simply more than a single pair in the same jacket.  It is extension onlyand is usually available in 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 24 pairs. It is used primarily when a contractor has to run multiple runs of wire. It allows them to run one piece of wire rather than multiple individual runs.

For more information on all varieties of thermocouple wire, contact Duro-Sense by calling 310-533-6877 or visiting https://duro-sense.com.

We Honor Our Fallen Service Men and Women

Quick Comparison of Temperature Sensors

Thermocouples are commonly used because of their simplicity, reliability, and relative low cost. They are self-powered and eliminate the need for a separate sensor power supply. Thermocouples are quite durable when selected for a given application appropriately. Thermocouples can also be used for applications with high temperatures.

Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are attractive alternatives to thermocouples when the output is desired to be highly accurate, stable and linear (i.e. just how close the calibration curve looks a straight line). The superior linearity of relative temperature resistance enables simpler signal processing devices for RTDs than thermocouples.

Thermistors are similar to RTD because they're a resistance measurement device, but thermistors use a very cheap polymer or ceramic material as the element in lieu of the use of pure metal.

For more information on any type of industrial or OEM temperature sensor, contact Duro-Sense by calling 310-533-6877 or by visiting https://duro-sense.com.

Temperature Sensors for Advanced Technology Applications

Thermocouples: Proper Use, Recommended Practices, and Avoiding Problems

Proper use and maintenance of thermocouple systems begin with good system design based on the strengths and weaknesses of various thermocouple types. Because these sensors contain sensitive electronics, general good practice includes use of shielded cases and twisted- pair wire, use of proper sheathing, avoidance of steep temperature gradients, use of large-gauge extension wire, and use of guarded integrating voltmeters or ohmmeters, which electronically filter out unwanted signals. The signal conditioner should be located as close as possible to the sensor, and twisted copper-wire pairs should be used to transmit the signal to the control station. To minimize electromagnetic field interference, sensor system wires should not be located parallel to power supply cables. The primary causes of loss of calibration in thermocouples include the following:

1. Electric “noise” from nearby motors, electric furnaces, or other such electrically noisy equipment;
2. Radio frequency interference from the use of hand-held radios near the instrument.
3. “Ground loops” that result when condensation and corrosion ground the thermocouple and create a ground loop circuit with another ground connection in the sensing circuit.

Most problems with thermocouples are aggravated by use of the thermocouple to measure temperatures that approach or exceed their upper temperature limits. Careful recording of events that could affect measurements should be kept in a logbook. Any adjustments or calibrations should also be recorded. The logbook should contain the names of individuals performing maintenance and calibrations as well as defined procedures. In systems monitoring many locations, such a log is especially useful for fault diagnosis.

Thermocouples sometimes experience catastrophic failures, which may be preceded by extreme oscillations or erratic readings. In such cases, all connections associated with the thermocouple should be checked for loose screws, oxidation, and galvanic corrosion. In many cases, drift may be a more serious problem because it can go unnoticed for long periods of time. The most common causes of loss of calibration are excessive heat, work hardening, and contamination. Work hardening generally is due to excessive bending or vibration and can be prevented with properly designed thermowells, insertion lengths, and materials. Contamination is caused by chemicals and moisture, which sometimes attack wiring by penetrating sheaths, and can result in short-circuiting. A simple test to check for this problem is to disconnect the sensor at its closest connection and check for electrical continuity between the wires and the sheath using a multimeter. If the meter indicates continuity, the sensor should be replaced. Because the electromotive force (EMF) produced by thermocouples is so small, electrical noise can severely affect thermocouple performance. For that reason, it also is very important that transmitters be isolated. Thermocouples used in the vicinity of electrostatic precipitators must be shielded to avoid electrical interference. If the potential electrical interference is high, an RTD or other type of sensor may be preferred to thermocouples. With respect to thermocouple and protection tube selection, the following should be noted:

1. Type J thermocouples particularly should not be used in applications in which they might be exposed to moisture because the iron in the thermocouple will rust and deteriorate quickly;
2. Type K thermocouples should not be used in the presence of sulfur, which causes the element to corrode; because cutting oils often contain sulfur, protection tubes should be degreased before being used; stainless steel sheaths should be used to protect Type K thermocouples in stacks where SO2 emissions are significant;
3. Platinum thermocouple elements (Types R, S, or B) should not be used with metal protection tubes unless the tubes have a ceramic lining because the metal will contaminate the platinum;
4. Ceramic, silicon carbide, and composite (metal ceramic, Cerite-II, Cerite-III) protection tubes are subject to thermal shock and should be preheated prior to inserting in high temperature process environments; and
5. Molybdenum - or tantalum-sheathed thermocouples will fail rapidly if placed in oxidizing atmospheres.

During one study of thermocouple performance, 24 combinations of thermocouple and sheath material types were tested at temperatures up to 1200 C (2200 F). The results indicated that above 600 C (1110 F) thermocouples are affected by complex chemical interactions between their components; even though wires and sheaths were physically separated, exchange of constituents occurred. The study concluded that thermocouples maintain calibration better if sheath material is similar in composition to thermocouple alloys. By using similar alloys longer performance can be expected for sensors subjected to temperatures above 600 C (1110 F), and the use of similar alloys is essential for temperatures above 1000 C (1830 F).

For more information on the proper use of thermocouples, contact Duro-Sense Corporation by calling (310) 533-6877 or visit their website at https://duro-sense.com.

Reprinted from CAM Technical Guidance Document courtesy of EPA.gov.

Digital Food Thermometers: Thermocouples

Specialized thermocouple, with handle and sharpened point,
 used in food preparation.

Of all food thermometers, thermocouple thermometers reach and display the final temperature the fastest - within 2 to 5 seconds. The temperature is indicated on a digital display.

A thermocouple measures temperature at the junction of two fine wires located in the tip of the probe. Thermocouples used in scientific laboratories have very thin probes, similar to hypodermic needles, while others may have a thickness of 1/16 of an inch.

Since thermocouple thermometers respond so rapidly, the temperature can be quickly checked in a number of locations to ensure that the food is safely cooked. This is especially useful for cooking large foods, such as roasts or turkeys, when checking the temperature in more than one place is advised. The thin probe of the thermocouple also enables it to accurately read the temperature of thin foods such as hamburger patties, pork chops, and chicken breasts.

Thermocouples are not designed to remain in the food while it's cooking. They should be used near the end of the estimated cooking time to check for final cooking temperatures. To prevent overcooking, check the temperature before the food is expected to finish cooking.

Thermocouples can be calibrated for accuracy.

For more information of food industry thermocouples, contact Duro-Sense Corporation by calling 310-533-6877 or visiting https://duro-sense.com.