Control system for sensors, control devices and alarms

October 2003 System Integration & Control Systems Design

The TX2100 Commander System from Trolex is available in three versions: general purpose for non-hazardous areas, intrinsically safe Group II for surface hazardous areas, and intrinsically safe Group I for mining hazardous areas. Gp I and Gp II certification to EExia I, EEx iad IIC T4 and compliance with the ATEX directive has been applied for; this will be followed by SANS certification.

The Command Module (CM) provides the control and access via the navigator keypad to set up for inputs and outputs of the system. Also available at the Command Module are connections to the command bus, data logging of sensor data and output events with time, date and identification, graphical displays, viewing of sensor read-outs, setpoints and comms set-up. Up to 32 Command Modules may be connected to RS485 data communications to an operator interface.

The Terminal Module (TM) houses up to eight I/O channel cards in any user defined combination to provide the connections to input sensors or pass-on connections, ie, 4 to 20 mA or output relays for local alarms or switching. Up to 30 Terminal Modules with distribution of up to two-kilometre spacing may be connected to the command bus. I/O cards are available for a wide variety of I/O types such as single and dual analog, single, dual and quad digital. This enables the command bus to support up to 480 analogs or 960 digitals. With 32 CMs and 30 TMs connected in one system this could provide up to 15 360 analogs or 30 720 digitals or a combination of inputs. Software is available to assist the user with system I/O selection, set-up and tag address codes, while also being able to print out connection diagrams and component diagrams.

Hazardous areas: For intrinsically safe Group II hazardous areas the need for additional input barriers is eliminated. Channel cards have individual safety barrier output protection and galvanic isolation. This provides the user with greater flexibility of system design, lower cabling and installation costs by installing the system in the hazardous area inside an FLP housing. Galvanic isolation of the command bus allows connection of intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe monitoring on the same system command bus giving even greater savings and versatility. For mining applications the system may also be installed with a combination of intrinsically safe EEx ia I and non-hazardous area modules. This provides the mining system with great flexibility and cost savings as well.

For more information contact Trolex, 011 397 6958, [email protected], www.trolex.com

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