Control unit with four operating elements in stainless steel enclosure.
Intrinsic safety is widely established in modern process automation for transmitting data signals between control system and plant area, where the appropriately certified field devices derive their operation energy from an intrinsically safe power supply. However, if more energy is required, often the type of explosion protection ‘increased safety’ Ex e is applied. The options of operating power and control networks in hazardous areas start with a single control function such as a pushbutton, LED indicator or control switch, which are integrated in corresponding space-efficient enclosures made of high quality stainless steel or glass fibre reinforced polyester. Thus they can be used in harsh environmental conditions.
Control system cabinet in type of explosion protection ‘purge and pressurisation’ Ex p with operating element in ‘increased safety’ Ex e.
Based on these control units with up to four operating elements, larger control stations are available which are able to integrate up to 56 of these components in one turnkey unit. A wide choice of control functions, contact configurations, colours and labelling allow adjustment to almost any user specification. Ammeters, potentiometers and a comprehensive range of certified terminals, cable glands and accessories complete the configuration options.
Explosion protection
Control panel in flameproof aluminium enclosure combined with control and termination box in stainless steel.
Control and automation components that are not available in explosion protected versions can be used in hazardous areas by applying the types of explosion protection ‘flameproof’ Ex d and ‘purge and pressurisation’ Ex p. Both technologies allow the integration of standard industry components in accordingly certified enclosures; the explosion protection method is different, though. Ex p prevents the ignitable gas from entering the enclosure while Ex d contains a possible explosion inside the sturdy enclosure. Both types of explosion protection can be combined and allow, by addition of Ex e control elements, a tailor-made design of the solution for the specific application, be it chemical and pharmaceutical plants or oil and gas processing. About the toughest demands are exacted by offshore applications and oil drilling rigs, which are not only completely defined as Ex-Zones but also have to withstand the worst climatic conditions. Here optimal protection is achieved by a flameproof stainless steel enclosure combined with an adequate Ex e control and termination box. The experienced engineers in the worldwide Pepperl+Fuchs Solution Engineering Centres can help to find the best protection solution for any specific requirement or environment, be it the scorching heat of the Sahara or the freezing rains in the Antarctic.
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