Solexy explosion-proof antenna couplers are unique and patented devices that incorporate two technologies for protection. Firstly, it is an explosion-proof sealing gland that meets the most stringent requirements of IECEx, UL, ATEX, and others. Secondly, it is an IS barrier providing an intrinsically-safe output from the RF device to the antenna or cable connection. The circuitry inside the coupler protects the external antenna or cable from the supply voltage of the RF device. This is accomplished by a capacitive circuit, which only permits ‘high’ frequency voltage at 50 Ω impedance to pass through to the external antenna or coax cable.
As a barrier, another unique feature is that no special grounding is required since it is a ‘blocking’ circuit and not a diverting to ground circuit, which increases installation reliability. The coupler is threaded into an explosion-proof housing and this provides for a normal electrical ground, but is not critical to the proper operation of the intrinsically safe circuit.
Explosion-proof antenna vs the Solexy coupler
An explosion-proof antenna is frequency matched, and typically a monopole design, which limits the design options to meet the demands of more challenging installations. It also has to be mounted directly to the housing.
The Solexy Antenna Coupler is a type of bulkhead and has an intrinsically-safe output, allowing for any frequency between 100 MHz and 6 GHz. This also allows the use of any antenna that meets the requirements of the notified bodies. (IEC, UL, FCC, etc.). The other advantage is that it allows the use of a cable extension from the coupler to an antenna mounted higher off the ground for better clearance of surrounding RF obstacles.
The Solexy Antenna Coupler is two devices in one, a seal fitting and an intrinsically-safe RF barrier, which threads into a standard conduit entry (NPT or metric). There is no internal space utilised other than a small diameter coax cable connecting the Solexy barrier to the RF output source.
Solexy can supply any fitting required to make the connection to the RF source, which makes this device ideal for OEM applications that are typically mounted in small explosion-proof enclosures such as gas detection equipment, level controls, RFID, flowmeters, cameras and many other devices. This allows the manufacturer to go from wired to wireless without having to make major changes to the product housing design.
The coupler is used in mining machinery telemetry, oil and gas for wellhead monitoring, RFID in hazardous areas and for WiFi networks in hazardous areas, GPS and cellular, such as GSM and LTE (3G and 4G). The barrier is also used by many OEM wireless equipment manufacturers in their devices such as gas detection, flowmeters and level controls.
For more information contact Brandon Topham, RET Automation, +27 (0)11 453 2468, [email protected], www.retautomation.com
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