Latest Product Reviews

Test instruments need to be explosion proof for machinery and process applications in hazardous areas

Test instruments is one of the most common types of intrinsically safe equipment used, primarily due to the fact that testing needs to be carried out regularly on machinery and other applications inside explosion-risk environments, explains Barry Atkins, managing director of independent test equipment expert PASS.

Wikipedia's article on Intrinsic Safety reveals that a measuring instrument certified for use in a hazardous area will be designed to operate with low voltage and current, and will be designed without large capacitors or inductors that could discharge in a spark.

There is a plethora of intrinsically safe instruments available to engineers working in hazardous areas, including gas leak detectors, laser distance meters, true RMS digital multimeters, infrared thermometers, thickness gauges, and conventional and thermal imaging cameras, as well as standard, pressure and loop calibrators.

The launch of the unique iSOLATE500 RF galvanic isolator last autumn has revolutionised the deployment of wireless systems in hazardous areas . From ease of install to improved performance, every aspect of hazardous area wireless deployment is much more cost-effective and straightforward than before.   The new product announcements below further enhance the Extronics wireless portfolio with increased choice and performance options.

iANT200 Range of Rugged Antennas  - A completely revamped range of antennas brings a wide range of cost-effective solutions for hazardous area wireless deployment. With MIMO, Dual-band, Omni and directional variants, the iANT200 range meets a wide range of customer requirements - click here to see the range. When used as part of an intrinsically safe solution e.g. in conjunction with the iSOLATE500, these antennas are able to be deployed in the majority of zoned hazardous areas. The iANT200 offers much improved coverage, performance and much lower costs than the limited range of certified antennas. Click here for information.

Michael the Publisher of Hazardous Engineering Solutions and Engineering Maintenance Solutions magazine caught up with George Varga (Sales Director) of SPM Instrument UK at this week’s MAINTEC exhibition.
 
Leonova Diamond IS is the most advanced ATEX/IECEx certified instrument on the market. With three channel vibration measurement and large color display, Leonova Diamond IS provides a unique combination of sophisticated technologies and usability in a single measuring device.
Condition monitoring in zones 0 - 1 - 2
The instrument is built to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Heavy industries with intrinsic safety requirements such as the refinery, mining or oil and gas industries are challenging enviroments. Leonova Diamond IS complies with the strictest ATEX/IECEx standards and can therefore be used in zones 0 - 2.

Thomas & Betts' DTS hazardous area Ex panels and enclosures provide protection against explosions occurring, or in the unlikely event of an explosion they will contain that explosion.  The range includes junction boxes, instrumentation boxes, control boxes and stations that can be specified for use in different zones where gases and dust present a potential risk of explosion.  Now, custom built Ex d panels and enclosures can also be manufactured and tested to user requirements, offering ATEX compliant protection.

Customised enclosures provide hazardous area protection for industries as diverse as oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical, food and beverage production, power generation as well as many other sectors.  Applications include protection for motor starters, main breakers and measuring equipment.

Customisation can include a variety of components such as switches, contactors and relays.  Typically, the EJB custom built panel range can be supplied in a range of different sizes and a wide choice of components.  They are approved to EN 60079-0/1 and can be used for Ex d, IIB, II, Zone 1 and 2 applications, whilst also offering IP56 ingress protection.

E2S Warning Signals have today published a new ‘Guide for Hazardous areas’ which is available as a free download from their website.

The guide has been put together with specifiers and hazardous area engineers in mind with matrix tables that enable fast cross-referencing of information between the main certification systems: ATEX, IECEx, North American and Canadian standards. Protection concepts are listed along with applicable zone, class or division and typical equipment protection level in an easy to read format.

In addition, the guide contains ample reference information related to gas and dust atmospheres and potentially explosive environments, such as:

E2S has launched high-performance, intrinsically safe alarm horn sounders and combination devices with aluminium enclosures. The IS-D105 sounder and IS-DL105 combination device are approved to IECEx and ATEX standards for Zone 0 and the IP66 sealed marine grade aluminium enclosure is phosphated and powder coated, offering enhanced protection for on and offshore applications.

The powerful alarm horn produces up to 105 dB(A) at 1 metre with a choice of 49 alarm tones and 2 additional, remotely selectable, alarm stages. For specific applications, custom tone configurations and frequencies can be engineered. The sounder can be combined with an LED beacon featuring an array of 6 high-intensity LEDs.  

The alarm sounder and LED beacon can be powered through a single Zener barrier or galvanic isolator. Alternatively, the audible and visual elements of the IS-DL105 combination model can be controlled individually. When cabled with a common power supply, the sounder features an alarm accept function. By closing a pair of external contacts such as a push switch, the operator may silence the alarm for set periods between 5 seconds and 2 hours.

For greater peace of mind, signalling products for hazardous areas, fire and industrial applications and wide area disaster warning are now available with a five-year warranty.

Priding itself on stringent quality procedures being applied throughout the product manufacturing process, the company has backed up this claim by extending its product warranty period to from two years to five years. This significant increase will provide system integrators, specifiers and end clients alike added peace of mind regarding their investment in E2S life safety signalling solutions.
 
 “Due to the nature of our products and the environments they are applied in, we are keen to demonstrate our commitment to safety and quality by offering this extended warranty on our products. We hope that this is a clear sign of our own confidence in our product design, manufacturing capability and quality processes”, commented Neal Porter, Sales and Marketing Director of E2S.

In 1986 companies all around the world began to realise the importance of environmental protection and safety. It was in this year that DENIOS was created with a mission to offer products that merge workplace safety with the protection of the environment.

What began with simple spill pallets and storage containers has evolved at an impressive speed. Customer requirements have become more demanding and so have legal requirements and recommendations.

Year on year DENIOS have developed new products for environmental protection in industry - while maintaining standards.In the freshly printed 2014 Catalogue, DENIOS presents over 10,000 products for ensuring environmental protection and safety at the workplace.

From simple spill pallets to complex hazardous material storage containers, and from personal protective equipment to emergency workplace equipment, the new catalogue from the leading UK manufacturer in its field, caters for all handling and storage needs. Introducing a whole range of innovative new products to the portfolio, DENIOS are particularly proud of the new, world first deep drawn UltraSafe sump which will be available to order from February 2014.

There are many aspects to hazardous materials storage and standard containers are not always suitable. With this in mind DENIOS has developed the MC-Vario modular container, technically perfected to suit individual requirements whilst guaranteeing an excellent price-performance ratio.

The MC-Vario is a modular construction, walk-in storage system that has been specifically designed to cater for a variety of customer needs. Thanks to its innovative design it  can be adapted to suit individual requirements without compromising on the cost benefits of standardised production.

Available in seven sizes offering a storage area from 3 to 17 sq m, the MC-Vario is ideal for storing small containers on shelves as well as drums and IBCs.  The integral single piece steel sump is installed with removable, hot-dip galvanised grids for easy cleaning and maintenance and is fully compliant with HSE and PPG 26 regulations.

UHF RFID technology is set to revolutionise asset tracking due to its inherent performance advantages, particularly on metals & liquids. Read/write operations can occur without line-of-sight, at longer distance and improved speed compared to other passive technologies, thus allowing more efficient process automation.
 
iRFID10x - ATEX Zone 1 UHF RFID Readers
Extronics, in association with CAEN technology, has developed the first fixed RFID readers for UHF designed specifically for Hazardous Areas. Utilising the new iSOLATE500 RF galvanic isolator, the iRFID10x range is certified for use in Zone 1 areas and has a read range of up to 30 metres.

iTAG500 - Adept 360 ° - Encased in an industrial steel frame with a tether attachment, this tag is designed to meet the needs of oil and gas users and other heavy industry applications. The Adept 360° is available with a surface etching/printing finishing and dual technology options.