Signal Conditioners Narrow Ex i Signal Conditioners with Functional Safety

Related Vendors

PHOENIX CONTACT Deutschland Gm

DÜPERTHAL Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG

TURCK GmbH

Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH

You are looking for intrinsically safe and safety-related measuring lines, which feature a slim design in terms of the overall width and installed height as well as user-friendly operation?

Intrinsically safe explosion protection and the functional safety of measurement and control technology play a major role in modern process plants and decentralized power-to-X systems. Space in the control cabinet is limited and most products available on the market are lacking when it comes to convenient handling.

With Phoenix Contact’s new Mini Analog Pro versions, users can now get signal conditioners and measuring transducers with intrinsically safe explosion protection and SIL 3 1oo1 functional safety for all signal directions and types. Analog and digital signals, control signals to actuators, and measuring signals from the field are supported — all in an overall width of just 6.2 millimeters. When put into practice in SIL 3 applications, a single measuring transducer can now be used to connect sensors as well as positioners, electric valves, or Hart IP converters to the controller. The previous workaround using redundant SIL 2 components is no longer required. The products in the Mini Analog Pro series feature many international Ex approvals for use in all Ex zones and substance groups, which makes them versatile and suitable for worldwide use.

Space Savings of at Least 50 Percent

Especially in the modern world of process technology, more and more signals need to be processed safely and in a very confined space. Compared to market-standard devices with a width of 12.5 millimeters or more, the slim design of the Ex i signal conditioners and measuring transducers reduces the space required in the control cabinet by at least 50 percent. The tapered design of the devices, combined with the front-facing terminal points, also means that up to two centimeters of space can be saved between the cable ducts. The tapered design ensures that all terminal points and operating elements are always visible and easy to handle from above, even when the device is installed. This enables flexible cable routing — even in confined spaces.

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The products in the Mini Analog Pro series feature plug-in connection terminal blocks, which provide the added advantage of enabling easy device replacement in the event of a defect. The coded connection terminal blocks only fit a specific position in the device and thus prevent connecting cables from being mixed up. With the integrated disconnect function, signal and supply circuits can be easily interrupted with a half turn of the center knurled screw using a screwdriver. The connection terminal blocks remain mechanically secured in the housing of the signal conditioner or measuring transducer — only the electrical connection is disconnected. This function proves ideal when servicing and commissioning systems, as there are no loose cable ends or connectors hanging in the control cabinet. The connection terminal blocks can then be plugged in again without using tools. At the same time, the robust mechanical hold also helps ensure stable functionality, even in demanding applications with high vibration loads.

Current Measurement without Disconnecting the Current Loop

Under the slogan “Current measurement made easy”, the terminal blocks in the Mini Analog Pro series offer additional advantages. Normally, the current loop has to be disconnected in order to measure the current signal. Current measurement during operation therefore often results in limited functionality or even system failure. The current measuring points integrated into the connection terminal blocks of the devices in the Mini Analog Pro series now enable convenient current measurement on the safe side of the device. The current loop does not have to be disconnected for this.

The device versions in the new product family with intrinsically safe explosion protection are designed and approved for use in safety-related applications in accordance with IEC 61508. In the single-channel design (1oo1), they achieve safety integrity level SIL 3.

Wide Temperature Range and Extended Altitude Range

The new circuit technology, which contributes to the slim design of the Ex i isolators and measuring transducers, allows the devices to be operated in a wide temperature range from -40 to 70 °C. These values apply to all signal directions and types, which is something that the majority of products currently available on the market with an overall width of 12.5 millimeters or more cannot do.

Use at high altitudes is of particular interest in the context of Ex i applications. Higher altitudes affect the air clearances and creepage distances in a signal conditioner. Standard IEC 60079-0 specifies the use of devices up to an altitude of 2,000 meters (80 kilopascals). The Ex i values are mostly documented for this scope of application. Consequently, there is additional effort involved in planning machines and systems that are to be installed at an altitude above 2,000 meters. This is the case, for example, in Mexico City, which is located at an altitude of 2,310 meters. In this case, Ex-related data — such as the rated insulation voltage and the operating temperature range — must be determined again by the user at great expense. For the products in the Mini Analog Pro series, Phoenix Contact has documented an altitude range of up to 5,000 meters with suitable Ex i values for various altitudes above 2,000 meters. This results in less calculation work for the user.

Wide Range of Configuration Options

Processor-based devices can be connected to a PC via a proven electrically isolating programming adapter and can thus be configured via the software without supply voltage. The necessary tool is available free of charge on the Phoenix Contact homepage. When it comes to the software solution (ClipX Engineer Device Parameterization), the focus is also on easy handling. For example, special wizards support the user step by step when configuring or simply replacing the device in the system. The software monitoring functions are also very useful. In addition, a classic FDT/DTM solution is available as a free download and supports a manufacturer-independent configuration concept.

Like the existing portfolio for the Mini Analog Pro product family, the new Ex i and functionally safe versions can still be set using DIP switches. Furthermore, configuration is possible via the built-in NFC chip. The user can download the new and improved Signal Conditioner app free of charge from the usual app stores for iOS and Android. The devices can then be set up simply using a smartphone. With the new version of the app — which replaces the Mini Analog Pro app — the range of functions has been extended to include options such as a QR code reader, the use of Apple NFC, and the integration of new module versions and product families.

Easy Integration in Existing Systems

The Mini Analog Pro series optimally complements the proven MACX Analog product family. This is because the new Ex i and functionally safe signal conditioners and measuring transducers are compatible with Phoenix Contact’s supply bridging and fault signaling system, and can therefore be fully integrated into existing systems. Users can therefore fall back on proven solutions for signal duplication, single-/two-channel capability, or limit value switches, for example. They ultimately benefit from a comprehensive portfolio for functional safety and explosion protection. All the devices in both series meet the requirements of NE 95, which combines several Namur recommendations that are specifically geared towards the requirements in the process industry.

The intrinsically safe and functionally safe (SIL 3 1oo1) versions in the Mini Analog Pro series provide users with high-end signal conditioners and measuring transducers for safety-related applications as well as all signal types and directions. The sophisticated housing design simplifies installation and saves time during commissioning, even if there is only limited space available in the control cabinet. Due to the wide operating temperature range of -40 to 70 °C and the documented altitude range of up to 5,000 meters, the devices are also suitable for use in extreme ambient conditions. In combination with the established MACX Analog product family, the right solution can be found for almost every application.

Meet the Phoenix Contact experts at this year’s Hannover Messe (April 17–21): Hall 9, Booth F40.

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