Safety & Survival Systems

HF or UHF for LOLER? Issues and options for tagging lifting equipment & gear
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is now widely used to identify lifting equipment, lifting gear and other assets used in lifting operations. It helps manage valuable equipment and provides a way of monitoring essential safety inspections. Most systems deployed to date have used high frequency (HF) RFID technology but this isnt the only option. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) offers an alternative but should users consider it and if so why and what for? This short fact sheet offers a view of the differences between the two technologies and the importance of these in selecting the right technology for a LOLER compliance or lifting asset management system. CoreRFID offers solutions for both HF and UHF tagging with our CheckedOK solution.

Whats The Difference?

At the simplest level the difference between the two systems is the frequency bands within which the transponders on the tags operate. HF tags operate in the 13.56MHz band, while UHF operates in the 868 to 928MHz band. This factor influences the single biggest practical difference between the two technologies read distance. Typically HF tags can, depending on the reader used, identify tags from up to a distance of about 10cm (1 to 2cm with handheld readers is more typical, though). UHF tags on the other can be read at distances of up to 10 metres (and even, with specialised battery assisted tags, up to 30 metres). These figures are affected by several issues, the orientation of tags for example, the power of the reader and the material that the tag is attached to but, on a like for like basis, UHF tags will be readable from a greater distance than HF ones.

UHF tags may be more appropriate for some lifting and inspection applications.

Operationally, another difference between the two technologies is in the better ability of UHF systems to read multiple tags with one read scan. Although both HF and UHF systems can read several tags at the same time, the shorter read distance required by HF means that it is less likely to read a tag for the wrong item of equipment. This has an impact in the design of inspection systems where it is necessary to confirm that a specific inspection report is related to a specific piece of equipment (and thus a specific tag rather than one of a number of nearby tags). These problems can be overcome with careful design and may be more than compensated for by the benefit of being able to identify a number of items in one go especially where lifting gear is concerned. Until recently UHF tags were significantly more expensive than for a similar HF tag but this has changed as improved standardisation in UHF tags, higher numbers of tags used in UHF based projects and increased competition amongst tag manufacturers have combined to bring down prices. Now the price premium for a UHF tag is probably less than 10% above an equivalent HF tag.

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RFID : Versatile technology for a wide range of lifting applications

Another feature of UHF RFID systems is the extent to which they are supported by globally recognised standards. Although there are differences in the frequencies used for UHF tags in Europe (866 - 868MHz), Japan (950-956 MHz) and the USA (902-928Mhz), multi-region tags are available. UHF tags can also be used with the EPC Global standards for tag data storage and for the control of UHF readers. The increased level of standardisation in UHF tags has created an active market in devising innovative tag housings suited to a wide range of different environments. Tags which are temperature, pressure, vibration and water resistant are available. There are tags specifically designed for attachment to metal or for embedding within metal so that their performance is not affected by what they are attached to. One difference between the two technologies where UHF has a disadvantage is in the cost of readers. Because LOLER / PUWER compliance inspection systems depend on the use of mobile devices for checking the tags on lifting gear and equipment the cost of these devices is significant. So far the choice of UHF equipped mobile readers is narrower than for HF devices and their costs are higher. For example the Nordic HF-equipped, rugged, hand-held computer with reader retails at around 1300 while its UHF equivalent costs almost 1000 more.

How Should You Choose?

Making the choice between HF and UHF technologies as the basis for a LOLER based inspection system today almost certainly depends on the way that the cost-benefit equation works out after taking account of the number of reading devices involved. Also, it may be that inspection on-site using close contact reading is a required feature; pushing the choice towards an HF system. On the other hand, control of assets in a store or yard may well be easier with a UHF system which can detect many tags over some distance simultaneously. UHF technology is more useful where RFID equipped gateways for stock management or audit are planned. Unfortunately, users need to make a choice one way or another since readers able to operate in both HF and UHF frequencies are not available. Neither is there any sign of the industry producing hybrid HF / UHF tags. Almost certainly the best approach in any needs care. given circumstance is to work with an industry expert to look at the specifics of the project. From that a rational choice that balances the different costs and the different capabilities of the two technologies. It is also wise to consider a real-world trial of the technology planned in order to ensure that assumptions made about the operating environment turn out to be the case in practice.
Its not one-size fits all for lifting systems either. Choosing between HF and UHF

About CoreRFID Safety & Survival Systems

CoreRFID Safety & Survival Systems help improve safety and save costs in inspection processes. To learn more about how we can help with passenger public and employee safety, contact us today. CoreRFID is an associate member of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association and implements LEEA best practice in its systems and solutions.

CoreRFID Safety & Survival Systems, Dallam Court, Dallam Lane, Warrington U.K. WA2 7LT T: +44 (0) 845 071 0985 W: www.corerfid.com/safety E: info@corerfid.com CoreRFID is an associate member of the LEEA.
CoreRFID 2010 All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 108