Categories
- Asset Management
- Control Systems
- Control Valves
- Electrical Equipment
- Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance
- Fixed Gas Detectors
- Flow Measurement
- Gas and Liquid Analyzers
- Level Measurement
- Portable Gas Detectors
- Pressure Measurement
- Safety Relief Valves
- Sampling System
- Smart Wireless
- Temperature Measurement
Intrinsically Safe Ethernet
Ethernet is now established as the preferred network for business and control layers in industry. In factory automation and the power industry it is rapidly being established as the device level network of choice. However, in process automation many different methods are used to power and communicate with end devices including 4-20mA, a variety of different fieldbus standards and serial communications including RS232, 422 and 485 with many different protocols. Ethernet communication between controllers and I/O subsystems is also extending beyond the control cabinets onto the plant floor. Remote I/O applications together with requirements for video and telephone communication are also taking Ethernet into process areas.
The deployment of Ethernet into process automation has been hindered by the gas or dust hazardous area classification in which the end device is often installed. The high installation costs of the mechanical protection methods required to install general purpose Ethernet in hazardous areas, together with the maintenance limitations, have reduced the uptake of both wired and wireless Ethernet. Many end users prefer to use intrinsic safety for low power hazardous area applications, such as instrumentation, having made significant investment in training their design, installation and maintenance staff in the technology.
IS Ethernet is now being adopted for communications across hazardous areas using copper for short distances and fibre for long distances. It provides WLAN infrastructure for the mobile operator using Intrinsically Safe mobile computers and tablet PCs, reducing installed cost and simplifying architecture with IS serial devices and providing automation infrastructure in coal mines. Importantly, the availability of these products allows device manufacturers to build IS Ethernet devices to deliver the benefits of open connectivity.
9460-ET range
The 9400 product range provides cost-effective Intrinsically Safe (IS) Ethernet equipment that can be installed and maintained easily in hazardous areas. The intrinsically safe hazardous area certification permits the components to be mounted in a Zone 1 hazardous area with connectivity into Zone 0 and the associated apparatus certification of the 9468-ET IS Ethernet isolator and 9491-PS IS power supply allow this equipment to be mounted in a Zone 2 hazardous area and connected to intrinsically safe equipment in a Zone 0 or 1 hazardous area.
In Process Automation it is also preferable to use a single cable to provide both power and communications to the end device. The 9460-ET range can deliver Intrinsically Safe Power over Ethernet (PoEx™) with a single Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable, allowing live connection and disconnection of the end device in Zone 0 and 1 hazardous areas.
MTL RugiCAM-IP
MTL RugiCAM-IP high definition (HD) IS Ethernet network camera enable plant managers across process industries worldwide to ensure they are operating safely in hazardous zone 1 and zone 2 areas.
The first of its kind for the hazardous area market, the MTL RugiCAM-IP camera monitors and provides enhanced visual safety to control and automation systems installed on site, and provides additional security and visibility to specific hazardous locations in plants so safe operation can be maintained.
It is lightweight, connecting directly to compatible IS Ethernet systems up to 100 metres via a Cat5e cable or WiFi, and it allows for quick and easy maintenance, therefore enabling plants to save time and associated costs.
- Rugged case with 6mm toughened glass for harsh environments
- IS approval allows for safe, live network maintenance
- HD resolution of 1080P and enhanced image analysis
- Supports live video streaming via a H.264 compressed video format and Motion JPEG with user-selectable frame rates
- Micro-SD card slot that can be used as an optional back-up
- Available with an optional Infra-Red (IR) or white LED lights unit that enhances the camera’s low light capabilities.
MTL ExLAN
The MTL ExLAN is a simple and compact Intrinsically Safe (IS) 10/100Mbps Ethernet Interface intended to simplify OEM product design and certification.
The MTL ExLAN module can be integrated into your IS instrumentation design to power and communicate with the device over an IS Ethernet network. As well as providing the essential LAN interface, the module voltage clamps the equipment’s main supply rail together to ensure the Ethernet signals generated are limited to low intrinsically safe levels. It is fully compatible with PoExTM technology and our 9400 MTL IS Ethernet range.
- 10/100 BASE-T IS Ethernet Interface for standard Cat5e/Cat6 Ethernet cabling systems
- Compact design at 40mm x 40mm x 8mm for easy installation
- -40°C to +70°C operating temperature, designed for harsh environments
- Voltage clamping circuitry for increased safety
- Fully compatible with PoExTM (Power over IS Ethernet)
- Intrinsically safe ATEX / IECEx component certification
Intrinsically Safe Power Supplies
The 949x-PS range of MTL intrinsically safe (IS) isolated power supplies are ideal for providing power to instrumentation in hazardous process areas. They offer a wide range of different IS output voltages, ranging from 4.8V - 17.7V, offering flexibility of options to best suit a variety of applications. The 9492-PS-PLUS is the preferred method for supplying the 946x-ET range of MTL IS Ethernet devices to provide direct power or IS Power over Ethernet (PoExTM), a method which allows a single cable to provide both the data connection and electrical power to devices, in turn, reducing installation costs.
- Wide range of output voltages 4.8V - 17.7V
- Wide operating temperature range of -40 ÌŠC to +70 ÌŠC for 9492-PS-PLUS and 9493-PS-xxx
- Zone 2 mountable
- DIN-rail or backplane mounting
- ATEX / IECEx certified
Additionally, the 9491-PS is FM and FMC approved for installation in Class 1 Division 2 hazardous locations with the Ex ia output certified for connection into Class 1 Division 1 Groups C, D hazardous locations. The 9493-PS-xxx provides versions for connections into both Gas Group IIB and Gas Group IIC hazardous areas.
