INTERFACE Ex – Innovations for process technology
The automation of process control operations requires much information on the current value of different process parameters. The most important measuring tasks involved here concern the recording of pressure, temperature, flow rate and level variables. In addition to these analog (4-20 mA) closed-loop signals, a large number of digital message and open-loop control signals exist. A further feature of many process control systems is the presence of zones in which explosive atmospheres can occur. The protection type "intrinsic safety" (Ex i) has become established worldwide for MCR technology because of its comparatively simple installation and economical equipment.
Regardless of the measurement and control application, whether system technology (process technology systems with a large number of measuring points) or individual applications (mechanical and plant engineering), the product range INTERFACE Ex from Phoenix Contact offers tailor-made, economical solutions to realize your automation task, and contributes to a high availability of the system. With INTERFACE Ex, intrinsically safe signal circuits are electrically isolated from the system level, and the measured values are transmitted to the PLCs or process control systems with high accuracy. The products of the INTERFACE Ex product group are certified in accordance with the directive 94/9/EG (ATEX) and international standards (FM, cUL,...).
MACX Analog Ex - The widest Ex-i isolator range in the narrowest housing
Even in the first configuration level, the MACX Analog Ex series offers all important functions such as
- HART-capable measuring transducer repeater power supply and
- output isolating amplifiers,
- NAMUR isolating amplifiers,
- solenoid drivers and
- FDT/DTM programmable temperature transducers.
All 1 or 2-channel devices are characterized by their galvanic 3-way isolation, and an innovative circuit design ensures accurate transmission behavior with minimum power dissipation.
Pluggable and coded connection terminal blocks, either in the screw design or in the spring-cage design, enable maximum connection comfort . The innovative T-Connector concept facilitates quick and stranded auxiliary power supply and multiple error messages.
The devices are approved as per the latest ATEX and IECEx standards for installation in Ex zone 2 and for Ex-i circuits up to Ex zone 0 (gas) and 20 (dust).
SIL approvals as per IEC 61508 enable their use in safety applications.
INTERFACE Ex – Process interface PI series – DIN rail-mountable and pluggable
The PROCESS INTERFACE PI system consists of modular basic terminal blocks only 12.4 mm wide and pluggable, codable electronic modules, also with a width of 12.4 mm.
Advantages of the system
- Prewiring: The PI basic terminal block can be installed and wired in the control cabinet without the pluggable electronics. The required electronic components are plugged in later. They are coded automatically and snapped in securely.
- Functional adaptations are an easy matter during the startup phase.
- There is no need to remove the Ex-i conductors in order to replace a module or alter a function.
- Reserves are simple to retain. Only the PI modules that are actually required at startup time are plugged in.
Two control cabinets in one
A further advantage of PROCESS INTERFACE PI is that the PI basic terminal block can be prewired directly into the input strip on the routing level.
Functional adaptations are achieved by plugging in the required PI modules. Routing can now take place in a non-Ex area, which is an advantage as the installation regulations for non-Ex signals are less complex. Depending on the specific application, the signals are wired either on modular terminal blocks or using Varioface interface modules, which are available in large quantities and facilitate an economical and secure connection to the control system level via the system wiring. The amount of space required in the control cabinet is reduced even further by combining the routing and interface levels in this way.
INTERFACE Ex – Motherboards PI
"plug & play"connection to the respective control system levels is made by way of an integrated multi-position plug connector.
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