Flame Detector for hazardous area.

Uses four infrared sensors to help distinguish hydrocarbon fires from non-flame background radiation.

A new flameproof model for the Rosemount™ 965 Flame Detector, adding hazardous-location certification for applications where reliable hydrocarbon flame detection is required has been announced. The new model combines QuadSense™ technology, factory-calibrated-for-life operation, broad integration options and rugged enclosure protection to support fire protection strategies matched to application needs.

“Customers need flame detection technology that aligns with the risk, environment and operational needs of each application,” said Evgeny Rivkin, flame and gas product manager with Emerson’s measurement instrumentation business. “This new flameproof model expands the Rosemount 965 offering for hazardous locations, helping teams balance detection performance, resistance to nuisance alarms and routine calibration requirements.”

The new flameproof model helps customers extend the Rosemount 965 to hazardous locations while maintaining a practical balance of detection performance, reduced routine calibration and deployment flexibility.

QuadSense technology uses four infrared sensors to help distinguish hydrocarbon fires from non-flame background radiation, supporting reliable detection and resistance to nuisance alarms. Under specified conditions, the detector can detect hydrocarbon fires at distances up to 45 metres (150 feet) with response typically in less than five seconds. Five selectable sensitivity levels help users align performance with application needs.

The Rosemount 965 is factory calibrated for life, helping reduce recurring calibration routines. Infrared built-in test capabilities continuously verify optics and electronics integrity, supporting confidence between manual inspections. Multiple output options, including HART® connectivity, support integration with standard communication infrastructures, while universal wiring helps simplify specification and streamline sitewide deployment. IP66 and IP68 enclosure protection supports performance in demanding operating environments.

The new flameproof model can be applied in environments often found in oil and gas facilities, chemical and petrochemical plants, storage tank farms, hazardous materials storage areas and explosives or munitions sites. The Rosemount 965 also supports non-hazardous and light-industrial applications such as transportation infrastructure, public buildings, cable tunnels, semiconductor facilities, warehouses and other sites where dependable hydrocarbon flame detection is needed.

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@EmersonExchange @Rosemount_News @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation  @HHC_Lewis #PAuto

EX Submersible pressure sensor.

The LS-1000 submersible pressure sensor from WIKA is now certified in accordance with the European ATEX and international IECEx directives. The sensor continuously measures the level of liquid media in industrial environments. Thanks to the new approvals, companies can now also use it in hazardous areas of ATEX zone 0 and 1 as well as IECEx zone 0, 1 and 2. This applies to numerous applications, for example in the process industry, wastewater and environmental technology and power generation. Typical applications include wastewater lifting stations, pumping stations and oil and fuel tanks.

The LS-1000 measures levels hydrostatically from 1 ... 10 m [3.28 ... 32.81 ft]. Optimal long-term stability of 0.2 % ensures precise measured data and minimal signal drift. Thanks to its robust design, the stainless steel submersible pressure sensor is permanently sealed in accordance with ingress protection IP68. A specially developed cable provides effective strain relief, and potting of the cable inlet provides additional protection. Each individual device undergoes a helium leak test during the final inspection. Even the smallest leaks and hairline cracks are detected here.

The submersible pressure sensor is maintenance-free, minimising failures, downtimes and total cost of ownership. It can be operated with a 5 V battery, as the energy-saving ratiometric 0.5 ... 4.5 V output signal consumes less than 5 mA. This places such a low load on the battery that it does not need to be replaced for years.

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@WIKANews #PAuto #Hazardous

Temperature transmitter/alarm in hazardous plant.

The main production facility for a British fertiliser company produces ammonium nitrate which is subject to the that country's Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations. This organisation ensures that businesses take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances such as this one and is enforced by the British Health & Safety Executive (HSE). A review of the emergency shutdown system under IEC61508 Functional Safety Standard revealed an urgent upgrade was needed of electrical, control and instrumentation to satisfy SIL2 System designation.

One of the main areas needing attention was the critical temperature monitoring of the reactor process and the requirement for hardwired alarms on selected safety loops because alarms were being generated by a combination of the diverse technology being used and the alarm software of the DCS. Modern safety standards do not allow combining control and shutdown systems in the same DCS.

Temperature-Reactor-Alarm-Repeater-email Open Application in Browser

The Moore Industries STZ and STA were chosen by the company and HSE to provide a hardwired shutdown system meeting the requirements for SIL2 system capability. The highly accurate STZ temperature transmitter features sensor backup and failover capability along with a flexible configuration to accept a range of existing thermocouples. The STA trip alarm, which is the company’s plant standard for SIL hardwired trip alarms, features highly reliable relays and configuration software that is easy-to-use yet robust.

The STZ accurately measures redundant temperature sensors and provides measurement and sensor diagnostics. Should the primary sensor fail, the backup/failover sensor's reading will seamlessly continue to be transmitted to the STA, Safety Trip Alarm. The STA relays trip when conditions exceed the temperature high and low limits for process safety, triggering an alarm and emergency shutdown. The STA also retransmits, or repeats, its temperature input back to the DCS, via its 4-20mA analog output.

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@MII_Worldwide #PAuto #Hazardous #Britain

Acoustic imaging in hazardous locations.

Reliable detection of pressurised gas leaks, mechanical faults, and partial discharge in explosive vapor and dust environments.

An IECEx certified version of FLIR's Si2x, an advanced industrial acoustic imaging camera purpose-built for professional inspectors who need fast, accurate compressed air and gas leak detection in hazardous environments has been announced. Now certified to both ATEX and IECEx standards, the FLIR Si2x is engineered for safe operation in explosive atmospheres while delivering industry-leading performance and usability.

Compressed air and pressurized gas leaks, mechanical faults and partial discharge are all common and costly issues in industrial sectors such as chemical processing, oil & gas, and pharmaceuticals, where safety and reliability are paramount. The FLIR Si2x empowers maintenance professionals to identify and quantify these issues with unmatched precision and speed, even in environments where traditional tools are not permitted.

Key features of the FLIR Si2x-Series include:

• ATEX and IECEx Certified: The Si2x is fully certified for use in hazardous locations, enabling safe and compliant inspections in explosive atmospheres.
• Best-Performing Acoustic Detection: A highly sensitive microphone array delivers pinpoint accuracy for fault detection up to 200 meters away, making it ideal for high ceilings, hard-to-reach assets, and noisy plant floors.
• 
  On-Device Quantification: Instantly view leak size and estimated annual cost, as well as partial discharge severity, enabling prioritization of repairs and fast ROI. Data can be used to support ESG and sustainability reporting initiatives.
• Bandpass Filtering: Customizable bandpass filter allows users to target specific ultrasonic frequencies, cutting through noisy environments to detect the most subtle leaks with clarity.
• High-resolution visual documentation: Integrated 12 MP visual camera with 8× digital zoom and built-in LED lighting helps users capture detailed contextual images for reports and maintenance workflows.
• Safe and Easy to Use with Minimal Training: Built for demanding field conditions, the Si2x is lightweight, compact, and easily operated with one hand. A large touch-screen interface and intuitive UI reduce training time and increase inspection throughput.
• Seamless Data Transfer and Reporting: Use Wi-Fi, USB, or the new secure data transfer cable to move images and analytics to FLIR Thermal Studio or FLIR Acoustic Viewer. Support for Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates ensures continuous improvement and compatibility.

“The Si2x is a breakthrough for inspectors who need high-performance acoustic imaging in the most safety-critical environments,” said Darrell Taylor, Global Acoustic Business Development Manager at FLIR. “It empowers teams to work safely and efficiently, detect leaks faster, and reduce energy waste — all while meeting the industry’s most demanding standards. With its rugged design, precision performance, and intuitive operation, the Si2x is built to handle real-world challenges.”

Two versions of the Si2x are available: the Si2x-LD, designed for detecting pressurized gas leaks and mechanical faults, and the Si2x-Pro, which includes all the capabilities of the LD model plus the ability to identify partial discharge. All other features remain the same.

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@flir @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #TandM  #Safety

Logic Solver and Alarm is non-incendive instrument.

Moore Industries’ SLA Multiloop and Multifunctional Safety Logic Solver and Alarm has earned Factory Mutual (FM) approval as a Non-Incendive instrument. This approval allows the SLA to be used in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, and D Hazardous (Classified) locations in both the United States and Canada. The SLA Is a part of the Moore Industries FS FUNCTIONAL SAFETY SERIES and these new approvals mean that the SLA provides reliable alarming and safety shutdown capabilities in hazardous environments.

The SLA also carries exida certification for use in Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and is SIL 2/3 capable. With the new FM safety certification, the SLA can now be used in both General (safe) and Hazardous Locations. This means that the SLA can be used in situations where potentially explosive gases, vapors, dust or fibers may be present including:

•  Oil and natural gas refining, extraction, and transporting
•  Offshore rigs
•  Chemical and pharmaceutical plants

The SLA is designed to deliver optimal performance in safety loops in hazardous process conditions and bridges the gap between single-loop logic solvers and costly safety PLCs. With 16 alarms, advanced voting logic, intuitive configuration using drop-down menus, checkboxes, Excel-like math equations, and communication via MODBUS/TCP, MODBUS RTU, and HART pass-thru, the SLA ensures both safety and efficiency in your Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF).

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@MII_Worldwide #PAuto #Safety

Weighing in EX areas.

Switch on, weigh, done: the operation is self-explanatory.

The Midrics® 1 Ex weighing indicator from Minebea Intec, offers a new solution for viewing weighing results in hazardous (Ex) areas. Users benefit not only from the affordable price, but above all from the reliability and intuitive operation of the product. 

Whether in the plant sector or as a solution for the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries: the intrinsically safe Midrics® 1 Ex weighing indicator is suitable for a wide range of applications such as counting, checking or pre-packaging inspection. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials, it is the optimal choice for quality managers, mechanical engineers and technical engineers who are looking for a durable indicator solution for hazardous areas.

Minebea Intec presents a strong addition to its Ex portfolio with this instrument. The weighing electronics, specially designed for weighing processes in hazardous areas, meets all relevant current international requirements such as ATEX Zone 1/21; IECEx Zone 1/21; FM/CSA Class I, II, III Div. 1 (USA/Canada). In addition, the Midrics® 1 Ex weighing indicator can also be connected to data acquisition systems in non-hazardous areas via its digital communication interface.

When developing the user interface, the focus was on convenience for the user: the optimised interface makes relevant information visible at a glance. The Midrics® 1 Ex weighing indicator scores with a resolution of up to 30,000d, which offers precise measurement results for a wide range of applications. The measured values are visible on the display instantaneously. In addition, the operating elements have been reduced to five tactile buttons to ensure ease of use. The intuitive use thus ensures a reduction of the learning time. In addition, the product design of the Midrics® 1 Ex weighing indicator ensures an exceptionally long service life for the electrical system and therefore a high level of investment security. 

The housing design convinces with a tightness according to protection class IP 66, which enables quick and uncomplicated cleaning. In addition, the indicator is made of stainless steel, which makes the product extremely robust and durable.

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@MinebeaIntec #PAuto #Laboratory

Hydrogen from ammonia.

Hydrogen and its derivatives are replacing fossil fuels

Alongside the increase in electrification, hydrogen will play a crucial role as the key to the energy transition. This will involve everything from the long-term storage of energy up to the molecular replacement of all fossil fuels. Unfortunately, Germany does not have the space available to cover the full extent of future demand via its national production. Today, it is assumed that imports will be in the range of 60 to 70 percent.

Hydrogen will be transported by ship, which presents a problem. Liquefaction, for example, consumes a lot of additional energy. However, other means of transport are not yet available.

Transporting ammonia, on the other hand, is an established process, with about 20 million tons being transported every day. For this reason, well-known suppliers have made the decision to produce ammonia by combining green hydrogen with nitrogen and to transport the ammonia using the established methods.

Wireless valve position monitoring

Because it is a toxic and explosive substance, appropriate safety measures must be taken. From landing and additional transport over land to further processing steps, Pepperl+Fuchs products—such as the K-System series switch amplifiers that safely separate field devices from controllers—can be found in the systems used. A wide range of barriers can be adapted to the respective systems. Ethernet-APL switches are increasingly used for modern data transmission, enabling high data transfer rates in a secure environment.

Sensors are available for monitoring a large number of valves and reporting their respective positions.

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@PepperlFuchsUSA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Energy

Intrinsically safe and smart.

The intrinsically safe Smart-Ex® 03 is a new and future-proof 5G- and Wi-Fi 6-enabled smartphone that was developed entirely in-house in Europe by Pepperl+Fuchs. The 6-inch device combines all the expertise and know-how of Pepperl+Fuchs subsidiaries ECOM Instruments as a pioneer in intrinsically safe mobile devices and Aava Mobile as an expert in industrial tablets and wireless technologies.

The smartphone with the cutting-edge AndroidTM 13 operating system complies with the latest technical standards such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM and is therefore ideally equipped for flexible worldwide use in public and private networks of mobile network providers or companies. Thanks to fast and secure transmission of large amounts of data, users benefit from state-of-the-art functions for communication and collaboration such as remote support, video conferencing or push-to-talk.

The Smart-Ex® 03 is predestined for a wide range of applications such as communication, digital workflows and work order management, operational safety, scanning, asset management, predictive maintenance, augmented reality applications or IoT integration. Employees along the entire value chain in the process industry, the hydrogen industry, the energy industry or battery production thus benefit from end-to-end digital processes right into hazardous areas.

Thanks to the technical standard 5G, the Smart-Ex® 03 provides outstanding connectivity. The technology enables fail-safe transmission of high data rates of up to 10 Gbit per second with a latency of less than 5 milliseconds.

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@PepperlFuchsUSA  @mepaxIntPR #5G #PAuto #Safety

Housing for hazardous areas.

AMETEK Land has increased its support for customer applications in hazardous areas with two new housing enclosures. Their new EXSH1 flameproof housings have been developed for use with the EX SPOT pyrometer range and LWIR-640 thermal imager and are approved for operation in hazardous areas.

Derek Stuart, Product Manager, said: “The EXSH1 housing allows customers in many new industries, including hydrocarbons and semiconductors, to benefit from the accuracy and reliability of AMETEK Land’s thermometers and thermal imagers.” 

Manufactured from 316/316L stainless steel and highly resistant to corrosion, both enclosures have a certified temperature range of -40 to +70 °C (-40 to 158 °F).

Ingress protection to IP66 and IP68 means that they can be exposed to dust, water immersion and high-pressure water jets, making them suitable for use in almost any application in the harshest of environmental conditions, including those where explosive mixtures are present.

The housing has a gridless design, allowing an unobstructed field of view, and is certified for use in areas with dust and gas hazards. Additionally, the enclosure does not require purge air for safety.

The EXSH1 EX SPOT housing is designed for use with the EX SPOT range, a family of fully-featured, high-performance pyrometers for fixed, non-contact, infrared spot temperature measurements.

EX SPOT pyrometers are available in a range of operating wavelengths, temperatures, and process requirements, and the new housing will enhance their capabilities in continuous annealing lines, semiconductor growth, and applications in the hydrocarbon processing and chemical industries.

The EXSH1 LWIR housing has been created specifically for the LWIR-640 thermal imager, a long-wavelength instrument providing measurements between -20 and 1000 °C (-4 and 1832 °F) in three ranges with a choice of different optics and lenses.

The LWIR-640 measures and streams live true-temperature images at up to 60 frames per second, providing high-precision temperature measurements and thermal profiles to continuously control, document, and visualise industrial processes.

The new housing protects the LWIR-640 in applications including flare stack monitoring, critical vessel monitoring, storage pile monitoring, and operations within the hydrocarbon processing and chemical industries.

With ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certifications, the housings comply with multiple international standards. This means that a common specification can be used for worldwide applications, greatly simplifying the task of specifying and quoting the product.

A range of accessories is available for the housings, including various mounting brackets with pan and tilt adjustment, a sun shield for outdoor applications, and a spoolpiece adaptor. An environmental protection tube is offered for the LWIR housing, for flare stack applications, while further accessories for the EX SPOT housing include purges and a vertical mounting stand.

@landinst #PAuto #Temperature

Camera for hazardous environments.

The FLIR Cx5 is a new pocket-portable thermal camera for condition monitoring in hazardous environments from Teledyne FLIR. The camera has a rugged ATEX-compliant case, which allows users of this camera to safely monitor electrical or mechanical assets in hot working zones.

Potentially explosive environments, such as oil and gas plants or chemical plants, need to be protected from ignition sources. That’s why electronic devices used in these hot work environments need to comply with ATEX

Product Regulations or similar regulations (e.g. UKEX and IECEx). The 160 x 120-pixel FLIR Cx5 is mounted in a rugged enclosure, which enables users to work confidently while maintaining safety.

“In hazardous environments, it’s critical for surveyors to be able to detect problems fast, so they can react accordingly,” says Michael Deruytter, Sr Director Product Manager at Teledyne FLIR. “The FLIR Cx5 is not only explosion-proof, but it’s also compact and very easy to use. This allows maintenance professionals to always have their camera at hand, find hidden issues quickly and reduce diagnostic time.”

The camera has all the ruggedized features that will enable it to survive the toughest day on the job. The FLIR Cx5 case has shock absorbers and the lens is protected by a Germanium window with anti-reflective coating. The 3.5-inch color display is protected by armored glass and is touchscreen compatible. A rugged lanyard point can be removed in safe environments to reach the data storage and charging port.

It features a FLIR Lepton® thermal imaging sensor and FLIR-patented MSX® (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging) technology, which embosses visible scene details onto thermal images. This results in a crisp thermal image, enabling inspectors to pinpoint hidden problems instantly.

FLIR Cx5 is compatible with FLIR Ignite, a secure cloud storage solution that allows users to directly upload, edit, organize and share their images. With all images and videos in one place, sharing data with team members and creating reports for customers is convenient and simple. FLIR Cx5 users can also rely on the FLIR Thermal Studio software to finetune their images and create professional reports.

The FLIR Cx5 will be available for purchase from December (2022) onwards. 

@flir @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

I/O modules for hazardous areas.

Acromag’s new BusWorks® NT series remote I/O modules are now UL Listed for Class 1 Division 2 Groups A, B, C, D hazardous locations with volatile substances in the United States and Canada. This certification permits the use of the BusWorks NT series remote I/O modules in environments with flammable liquids, gases, or vapors. The Class I Div 2 certification is often required for electronics deployed in chemical, oil, gas, mining, and other manufacturing facilities. 

With the higher safety rating, the Ethernet modules can be installed closer to sensors and actuators to reduce installation costs for monitoring and control of automated machinery. The Ethernet modules have also passed testing for the European ATEX and IECEx Zone 2 safety certification that is widely accepted in many countries globally for explosive atmospheres.

“The new NT Series Ethernet I/O modules are now internationally certified for safe use in areas that may contain volatile substances,” states Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s Business Development Manager.

NTE Ethernet I/O models have dual RJ45 ports and a webserver with Modbus TCP/IP and Ethernet/IP communication to monitor or control the internal I/O channels. An integrated DIN rail bus allows connections of up to three NTX expansion I/O modules. Each I/O module adds up to 16 input or output signals allowing a mix of voltage, current, temperature, TTL, and relay control signals networked on one IP address. The space-saving design requires only 25mm of DIN rail per module. Ethernet I/O modules distribute 9-32V DC power along the DIN rail bus to expansion modules. Hazardous location approvals, high noise immunity, and -40 to 70°C operation make this ideal for use in harsh environments.

The NT2000 Series offers a broad variety of I/O signal processing options. Nine I/O configurations are available as either NTE Ethernet I/O or NTX expansion I/O models. Analog I/O models feature eight differential or sixteen single-ended inputs for monitoring current or voltage signals. Discrete I/O models provide 16 tandem input/output channels with either active high/low input and sinking/sourcing output. A six-channel mechanical relay output model is also available. For temperature monitoring, a thermocouple input model supports many sensor types and also millivolt ranges. More models will release over the coming months for additional I/O functions.

Profinet communication is planned for release soon. Each module will support all three protocols which are selectable using any web browser to configure the network settings and I/O operation. The modules typically function as a network slave, but also offer Acromag’s i2o® peer-to-peer communication technology to transfer data between modules directly without a host or master in between. Multicast capability is included.

Acromag, a mid-sized international corporation, has been developing and manufacturing measurement and control products for more than 60 years. They offer a complete line of industrial I/O products including process instruments, signal conditioning equipment, data acquisition boards, distributed I/O systems, and communication devices.

@Acromag #PAuto #North-America

Energy transition.

Anyone who wants to curb climate change will not be able to avoid hydrogen. The first element of the periodic table is a key factor in decarbonizing transport and industry—provided that the gas has been extracted without CO₂ emissions. The value chain from the wind turbine to the hydrogen filling station is long, and it is replete with technical challenges.

The right sensors & components for explosion protection along the entire hydrogen value chain.

Decarbonization will bring about numerous changes, especially in the way we generate, store, distribute, and consume energy. "Green" hydrogen will play a fundamental role in producing energy and decarbonizing industry and heavy-duty vehicles in the future. To ensure that automated processes are safe, explosion-protected components and sensors with a variety of different functions are required.

Pepperl+Fuchs has many years of experience in the field of explosion protection and industrial sensor technology, making it the right partner and a binding element in the hydrogen chain—from generating renewable energy, high-pressure compression after electrolysis, transport, and storage through to large-scale industrial use and hydrogen filling stations.

As with LNG , explosion protection components such as the Remote I/O or purge and pressurisation systems are used when transporting liquid hydrogen.

@PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Energy

Bringing digital transformation to hazardous areas.

The ideal tool for mobile workers for use in all tasks requiring hands-free operation and continuous communication.

For a long time, hazardous areas remained untouched by digitalisation because any mobile devices used must meet the strict requirements of explosion protection due to the risks in such areas. With intrinsically safe smart devices, the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ecom instruments is bringing digital transformation to hazardous areas.

Equipped with the Visor-Ex® 01 smart glasses or the Tab-Ex® 03 tablet, mobile workers can benefit from powerful features with unlimited freedom of movement, whether in remote plant areas or in the office. Remote-assisted servicing, digital workflows, and data harvesting are safe, efficient, and convenient with ecom's intelligent device ecosystem. 

At the recent Hannover Messe, ecom instruments were at the Pepperl+Fuchs stand presenting two new products, the Visor Ex® 01 and Tab-Ex® 03, its portfolio of intelligent, intrinsically safe mobile devices, and its Digital Products and Services solution for ensuring up-to-date systems and safe digitalization in hazardous areas.

@PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Safety #HM22

Fast and reliable implementation of Ethernet-APL field devices.

Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL) is the new standard for end-to-end digital communication in the process industry and is also suitable for use in hazardous areas. Device manufacturers will have to prepare themselves for growing demand from end-users for this modern data transmission technology.

commModule APL is a new hardware module from Softing Industrial Automation, is designed to support device manufacturers in implementing Ethernet-APL field devices for the process industry quickly and reliably.

Manufacturers face the challenge of developing and certifying new Ethernet-APL-capable devices within the shortest possible time-to-market - ideally without having to build up extensive specialist knowledge of Ethernet-APL. As a ready-to-use and pre-certified hardware for the implementation of Ethernet-APL field devices, commModule APL supports manufacturers in exactly this challenge.

The hardware module provides connectivity to Ethernet-APL as well as an application software that can be easily configured to implement the required behavior of the respective field device. commModule-APL is delivered with a pre-installed PROFINET stack. It provides a configurable application data model and commands mapping to migrate existing HART and Modbus devices to Ethernet-APL. This does not require writing a single line of code. 

The assignment to HART or Modbus commands is done with the accompanying commScripter tool. commModule APL has already passed comprehensive EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and environmental testing, as well as conformance testing for the Ethernet-APL Physical Layer and for the PROFINET protocol with PA Profile 4.02. It is also pre-certified in accordance with ATEX and IECEx. These features drastically reduce the effort, risk and time required to develop device hardware.

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NB: The Industrial Ethernet Book May/June 2022 issue has special editorial coverage of Single Pair Ethernet and Ethernet-APL.

 @SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Gateway for hazardous environments.

The impeding release of the ICO300-83M: ATEX/C1D2 IIoT Gateway System for Hazardous Environments from Axiomtek has been announced by Impulse Embedded. The ATEX/Class 1 Div. 2 certified rugged fanless gateway system, which has been designed with harsh environments in mind, supports 5G high-speed low latency cellular connectivity in remote locations and combines diverse I/O with flexible communication options. The Gateway includes many industrial features such as wide 9V to 36V DC power input, an extended operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, and is supplied in a compact and robust DIN-Rail mountable enclosure.

Matt Lundberg, Technical Lead, Industrial IoT at Impulse Embedded, commented, “Having the capability to install high-speed 5G modules is not only important from a future-proofing perspective, but it also provides systems with a substantial increase in speed and a huge reduction in latency, as low as 1ms down from the 40ms available on existing 4G technologies. This improvement means that information gathered by sensors can be transmitted and received in almost real-time allowing for decisions to be made and acted on much more quickly.”

The ICO300-83M IIoT Gateway is suitable for use in the Oil and Gas industry which is recognised as being one of the most hazardous environments that embedded computers can be integrated into. Whilst ATEX Zone 2 specifies that during normal operation there is only a chance of flammable materials being present in the atmosphere, it is not a risk that can be taken by organisations working in the Oil and Gas market. The ICO300-83M has an IP30-rated extruded aluminium and heavy-duty steel construction that is DIN-Rail mountable and compact in size, making it suitable for installation in cabinets located within zones where the risk of exposure to flammable materials is possible.

The ICO300-83M from Axiomtek is powered by the latest low power Intel Atom x5-E3930 processor running at 1.3GHz, offering fanless yet powerful system performance. This industrial gateway device has a range of features to facilitate the interconnectivity between device-level IoT and the base system and has a wide range of I/O including six isolated RS-232/422/485 serial ports, 16-bit isolated digital I/O and two USB3.0 ports, which are all front-accessible for installation into cabinets and tight spaces. The ICO300-83M is flexible in its options for comms and is packed with connectivity to meet the demands of almost any environment. It comes with three Gigabit Ethernet ports, a full-size miniPCIe slot for LTE or Wi-Fi modules plus an M.2 3052 B-key slot for 5G cellular connectivity.

Impulse Embedded can fully configure the ICO300-83M to customer’s exact specifications in their engineering facility with a wide choice of memory, storage, peripheral cards and embedded operating system. Impulse Embedded create reliable, repeatable, and revision-controlled systems aimed toward reducing overall project costs and development time. With an experienced team of in-house engineers and specialists, all with decades of experience, They can provide fully deployable embedded computing solutions straight out of the box.

@ImpulseEmbedded @Axiomtek @proactivefleet #PAuto #IIoT

Low cost temperature measurement.

Moore Industries’ TCS Temperature Concentrator System is a solution for low-cost temperature measurements. 

At its heart is the 16-channel, loop-powered (2-wire) TCM Temperature Concentrator Module. When two TCM modules are used in a TCS, up to 32 signals can be monitored over one twisted wire pair. The TCM is approved for use in hazardous areas (Div 2/Zone 2 and Div 1/Zone 0/1) and can be used with an HMC (HART to MODBUS RTU Converter) when communication with a MODBUS RTU master is required.

Using the TCS provides a precision measurement at less than 25 percent of the cost of a comparable standalone smart temperature transmitter. Hardware, wiring and installation costs are reduced because the TCS eliminates the need to install a dedicated transmitter and twisted-wire pair for each measurement. The compact design of the TCS also means a significant savings in real estate needs to measure temperatures. These cost savings are just a few of the benefits of the TCS solution. Other key features include:

Universal Input Options: The TCM can be set to accept RTD (2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire, PT, Cu or Ni), thermocouple (Types J, K, E, T, R, S, N, B or C), resistance/potentiometer (0 to 4000 ohms) and millivolt (-50 to 1,000mV) inputs. Custom input linearization can be defined for any input.

Deployment of HART and MODBUS RTU Communications: The HMC allows for communications with a MODBUS RTU-based host system. The ability to use either the standard HART or MODBUS communications protocols allow easy interface to a wide range of DCS, PLC and computer-based networks.

Generating Alarms: If the HMC is utilized it can be programmed to provide two alarm relay outputs. The relays can send a master alarm when the HMC detects one, any or all of the following fault conditions within the system:

No HART signal Broken wire Hardware error Bad configuration Input saturated Input out of table range

Both alarms can be set with a time delay, which specifies how long the alarm condition needs to exist before the alarm trips.

Versatile Programming: The TCM’s operating parameters can be configured from any HART-based system or, using a standard HART handheld, from anywhere along the twisted wire pair. The TCM can also be configured using our Intelligent PC Configuration software.

 @MII_Worldwide #PAuto 

Position sensing in standard-duty and extreme-duty operation.

Emerson has released its TopWorxTM Magnetic Target SwitchTM (MTS) to provide ready-to-install, universally-certified position sensing for explosion proof and intrinsically safe applications. The hazardous locations-approved TopWorx MTS joins the TopWorx GOTM Switch in the Emerson portfolio of position-sensing products, providing a single source for both standard and heavy-duty position sensors.

“With a tiered range of sensing products, our customers can rely on a single, trusted supplier for everything from standard to extreme-duty capabilities,” said Jeff Jones, global sensing products leader, Emerson. “Alongside our heavy-duty GO Switch, the MTS is the perfect choice for cost-conscious position sensing in explosion proof and intrinsically safe applications.”

The TopWorx MTS is a magnetic, target-actuated, barrel-style switch designed to deliver trusted performance and outstanding value in applications ranging from standard industrial to extreme-duty. Featuring universal certifications including IECEx, ATEX, UL, and CSA, the TopWorx MTS can help reduce time to market by avoiding approval delays.

Available in general purpose, intrinsically safe or explosion proof area classifications, the 316L stainless-steel design of the MTS resists corrosion, making it suitable for use in environments including oil and gas, chemical, industrial energy, on-site utilities, mining, minerals and metals, power generation, pulp and paper, waste and wastewater.

The TopWorx MTS is built to the same industry-leading standards as the TopWorx switchbox, switchbox enclosures, bus networking, sensor and solenoid valve technology to deliver outstanding value and trusted performance in hazardous locations requiring explosion proof and intrinsically safe applications.

@Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Safety

Motor purge system.

Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced the Bebco EPS® purge and pressurisation system designed specifically for use with large motors or large enclosures in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The 6100 series purge and pressurisation system can purge an enclosure over 450 cubic feet (12.2 cubic meters), making it the largest purging system available from Pepperl+Fuchs. The 6100 series system is perfect for applications in the chemical/petrochemical and oil and gas industries.

The 6100 series is a fully automatic system that does not require an operator to initiate purging or pressurization. It offers optional temperature sensors that can be mounted around the motor for alarm notification or cooling. Additionally, there is automatic pressure compensation for excess leakage from the motor.

The 6100 system consists of a control unit, vent, low pressure sensor, and optional temperature sensors. The control unit allows users to configure the system for size of motor, temperature switch points, pressure switch points for leakage compensation and shutoff pressure, extra output for control or alarm, two selectable intrinsically safe inputs for various actions, and up to three temperature sensor inputs that can monitor various points within the motor housing. The intrinsically safe user-interface can also be mounted in a separate enclosure near an operator for quick access and easy system monitoring.

6100 series motor purge and pressurization system features:
• Certified for ATEX and IECEx Zone 1
• Fully automatic
• Maximum flow rate of 14,000 l/min
• Intrinsically safe user-interface for system programming and monitoring
• Control unit monitors system operation and controls enclosure power
• Auxiliary contact outputs for alarm or control
• Multiple temperature inputs for monitoring and control
• Automatic pressure compensation for excess leakage from motor

The intrinsically safe pressure sensor provides an accurate enclosure pressure reading for safe operation within the hazardous area. The pressure sensor—which can measure internal pressure from 0 to 25 mbar—can be remotely located at the motor’s low pressure section for correct, safe motor pressure readings.

The EPV-6100 vent can be ordered to detect various flows for purging and then feedback the signal to the 6100 series control unit to start the purge timer. There are five flow rates to choose from (14,000 l/min maximum) to meet any application requirement in large motors or enclosures.

#PAuto @PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR

2-Wire Isolator/Converter.

The new UL Approved ECT-DIN 2-Wire Isolator/Converter from Moore Industries is available in a narrow 15mm aluminum housing. The thinner 15mm width has the same General and Hazardous area approvals, RFI/EMI protection and -40°C to 85°C operating temperature range as the rest of the ECT family of isolators, which means it can be installed in hazardous locations and does not require installation in cooled or climate controlled environments, making it perfect for more extreme locations.

The narrow 15mm ECT-DIN signal isolator and converter with 4-20mA, 1-5V and 0-10V inputs and 4-20mA output allows more isolators to fit in cabinets and field enclosures where installation space is a premium.

The rugged and reliable ECT family of isolators/converters provides versatile choices to match the type of AC or DC power available at each location. ECT-DIN 2-wire Output-Loop powered models, 2-wire Input-Loop powered models, or 4-wire (Line/Mains) Powered Isolators/Converters and Splitters are also available. All units feature solid metal housings that stand up to the continuous, daily rigors of process control and factory automation applications, and have an optionally available externally-mounted flange that provides a secure mount which ensures secure installation in high vibration environments. The complete ECT family delivers extremely reliable signal isolation and conversion solutions for the most demanding ambient and noisy installation conditions.

#Pauto @MII_Worldwide

Tablet PC for hazardous areas.

The introduction of the Field Xpert SMT77, a rugged tablet PC tool for commissioning and maintenance staff to manage field instruments and document the work progress expands Endress+Hauser's product portfolio for device configuration. The SMT77 comes preinstalled with device configuration software and device library —so it is ready to go, right out of the box. The device enables plant asset management in Class 1 Div 1 hazardous areas.

Like the Field Xpert SMT70 (Class 1 Div 2 rated), the Field Xpert SMT77 supports HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, Foundation Fieldbus, Modbus, CDI and Endress+Hauser service interfaces.

The Field Xpert device library has more than 2,700 pre-installed device and communication drivers, allowing it to work with many different instruments from a wide variety of vendors. It can connect to field instrumentation devices directly via a USB or Bluetooth wireless modem, or via a gateway, remote I/O or multiplexer to a bus system.

The Field Xpert SMT77, therefore, works with virtually every modern field instrument with “One Click Connectivity.“ To connect the Field Xpert SMT77 to a flowmeter with HART interface, for example, the operator simply clicks on the application, which then prompts the user to select automatic connection and the application connects to the instrument, and the SMT77 is ready to perform diagnostics, configurations or commissioning with the built-in device configuration software. The SMT77 also supports Endress+Hauser Heartbeat Technology and FieldCare instrument diagnostic and monitoring functions.

The tablet PC has Windows 10 Pro software installed. It comes with an 10.1 inch LCD Multitouch HD display, 2x bonded Gorilla Glass, a 5MP auto focus camera, a 2MP front facing camera, and up to 128 GB storage. Communication ports and supported networks include USB, Ethernet, HDMI, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—with 4G LTE and GPS available as an option. The battery runtime is five hours. The SMT77 comes in a general purpose configuration as well hazardous area configuration for Class 1, Div 1 and meets all the legal requirements of the relevant EU directives and is IP65 compliant.

 #PAuto @Endress_Hauser @Endress_US @Endress_UK