IS safety valve

ASCO Numatics introduces low power, intrinsically safe Ex ia pilot valve with ATEX and IEC Ex approvals

ASCO Numatics has a new low power LI and WSLI pilot with Ex ia certification for the compact 551, 552 and 553 series pilot valves. The introduction of the new pilot means that ASCO can now offer both intrinsically safe (LI and WSLI series) and flameproof/explosion proof (WS LPKF series) low power pilot valves for aggressive environments across the process industry.

Available with either an aluminium or stainless steel enclosure rated to IP 67, the pilot has a power consumption of just 0.5W at 24V DC. The low wattage coil reduces battery drain and heat rise, minimises wiring costs and provides energy savings. These benefits lower the total cost of ownership over the installed life of the solenoid valve.

The pilot is compatible with the their 551, 552 and 553 ranges in aluminium, brass (551 range only) and stainless steel. These valves have a large flow range of up to 860 l/min for the 551 valve and 3800 l/min for the 553 valve. The pilot is certified to ATEX, Zone 1-21 (aluminium enclosure) and Zone 0-21 for the stainless steel, and is IEC Ex approved and certified to IEC 61508 functional safety (SIL 3). The new range is ideally suited to applications in the offshore market where high levels of safety and superior resistance to aggressive operating environments are required.

The housing and cover of the pilot enclosure are in 316L stainless steel or painted aluminium and the operator can be rotated 360° to select the best position for cable entry. Electrical connection is via either a shielded or unshielded cable gland (½” NPT) to easy access screw terminals.

The enclosure is supplied with a plastic exhaust protector fitted on the pilot exhaust for dust protection. A metal exhaust protector is available as an option. The operators are suitable for use in ambient temperatures from -40°C to +60°C, and the flameproof aluminium enclosure is rated to ll 2G Ex ia IIC T6 GbT6 ll 2DEx t lllC T85°C IP67 Db and stainless steel aluminium enclosure is rated to ll 1G Ex ia IICGa T6 ll 2D Ex t lllC T85°C IP67 Db, Certification: IEC Ex, SIL and EN 60079-0, EN 60079-ll, EN 61241 and EN 61241-1.