Wireless adapter for explosion proof applications

MACTek® Corporation is now shipping its BULLET® WirelessHART® adapter, a universal communication device for use with both analog and HART-enabled devices, in a FM certified XP model. The XP model completes the family of MACTek WirelessHART-enabled products. The BULLET is now the only complete family of wireless adapters designed to meet all application and area classifications needs. The BULLET product family includes certified models that are General Purpose, Intrinsically Safe and Explosion Proof. They are a cost-effective solution to communicate process variables and other valuable information to the control room without wires. The BULLET WirelessHART Adapter with GP, IS and XP certifications are now available for shipment.

The BULLET enables existing wired HART field devices from any supplier to communicate with host applications by means of WirelessHART technology. The BULLET is installed permanently by wiring it directly to a standard HART® field device, or connecting it anywhere on the 4-20mA current loop. A wired HART® field device retrofitted with the BULLET communicates its analog process variable over the existing wiring to the existing DCS with no wiring change. The BULLET simultaneously communicates the digital PV and device diagnostic information over the WirelessHART network.

The BULLET can also be installed on a non-smart (analog only) device and will transmit a digital representation of the analog 4-20mA PV to the control room over the WirelessHART network which can save labor cost by eliminating operator rounds and manual recording of measurement data.

“I am pleased to announce the shipment of this exciting and innovative product in the XP certified model,” said Thomas Holmes, President of MACTek. “The fact that this device connects to existing installed HART-enabled and analog devices provides a huge benefit to users in plants as they continue to lower their operating cost by providing access to valuable information stranded in their measurement and control assets, and by making new measurements cost effective. MACTek’s demonstrated high quality and reliability is built into the BULLET so that users can have confidence when installing and using this exciting product. The certified XP BULLET joins the most complete family of WirelessHART adapters which are also HART registered.”

The unique features of the BULLET includes: 8 device multi-drop using a single BULLET, loop or line powered, area classifications for GP, IS and XP, HART registered, rugged design with internal antenna, works with analog and HART-enabled devices and more. These cost-effective features expand the use of the BULLET to many SCADA applications including the monitoring of tank farms and pipelines, rotating equipment and control valve diagnostics.

The BULLET is typically loop-powered, requiring no batteries or other power sources. Featuring MACTek’s patent-pending StepVolt technology that sets insertion voltage in steps from 1 volt to 2.5 volts, the BULLET will optimize the trade-off between available loop power and wireless communication bandwidth.

The Bullet™ maintains the high standards of reliability, quality, and ease of use demonstrated by our VIATOR® Bluetooth, USB and RS232 HART PC modems. Our entire product family is fully compliant with the HART® communication specifications and both our wireless and wired solutions have proven to be easy to use and compatible with HART-enabled devices from any vendor.