Rockwell moves into IS market with I/O devices
15 Jan 2000
Rockwell Automation has moved into the market for intrinsically-safe control equipment with the introduction of the Allen-Bradley FLEX Ex range of I/O for Cenelec Zone 1.
Traditional safety solutions require I/O to be mounted in the safe area with integrated barriers between the safe and hazardous areas. FLEX Ex can be mounted directly in the hazardous area, removing marshalling cabinets from the control room and eliminating multi-core wiring to junction boxes, terminal blocks, barriers and fuses.
FLEX Ex uses the diagnostic capabilities and determinism of the ControlNet network. Coax cable is used in the hazardous area to connect between multiple nodes, reducing penetrations into the hazardous area.
