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Intrinsically Safe Position Sensors

Positek's ATEX/IECEx, CSA and ANZEx certified intrinsically safe sensors.

Positek's novel inductive sensor technology can now be used to produce linear or rotary Intrinsically Safe sensors for use in hazardous areas with potential risk of explosive gases. vapours and dust.  In an unusual situation, Sira Certification Service has been able to provide Positek with the Intrinsically Safe qualification for an electronic system in any sensor produced using the patented PIPS® technology.

Bob Cooper, Sira's General Manager, commented, "Sira engineers adopted a flexible approach to achieve certification for the many varied mechanical variants of Intrinsically Safe sensors without imposing burdensome technical restrictions. The standard PIPS® technology electronic system only needed slight modification to meet the qualification requirements. In addition, Positek received a most unusual occurrence of a zero non-compliance count on the ATEX quality system audit carried out by Sira."

This means that Positek can produce a wide range of ATEX/IECEx, CSA and ANZEx approved Intrinsically Safe position sensors for use in hazardous gas, vapur, dust and mining environments. The product range includes sensors for linear, rotary and tilt motion, covering linear displacements up to 800mm and rotational movements up to 160°. Because the qualification for Intrinsically Safe sensors is only restricted to the electronic circuit design, the mechanical design of the sensor is flexible.

Click here for our full range of intrinsically safe sensors.

Click here for ATEX/IECEx Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers

Click here for CSA Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers

Click here for Australian IECEx Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers

Therefore, Positek can make custom designed Intrinsically Safe sensors with the qualification in addition to their standard products.

Each of the Intrinsically Safe sensors produces a 0.5 to 4.5V signal which is transmitted to a galvanically isolated amplifier in the safe area. The amplifier controls the maximum voltage and current levels supplied to the sensor and then produces an amplified 0 to 10 voltage or 4-20mA current signal for use in the remainder of the control and monitoring system.

The sensors are certified for use with a cable up to 1km long.

Positek's Intrinsically Safe sensors provide an unique blend of performance, durability, ease of use and cost effectiveness. The typical performance of the sensors is ± 0.25% linearity with temperature stability of ± 0.01%/°C. Each sensor is supplied ready calibrated which saves installation time. The sensors offer distinct advantages over other sensors such as LVDTs and offer improved durability and robustness compared with potentiometers. The sensors are designed to survive the most hostile environments without the need for any additional protection.

Intrinsically Safe systems provide a safe operating environment for personnel and equipment. Intrinsic Safety (IS) is based on the principle of restricting the electrical energy transmitted into a hazardous area, thereby ensuring that any sparks or heated surfaces that may occur as a result of electrical failures are insufficient to cause ignition. The threat of an explosion is eliminated.

Positek's ATEX and IECEx approved Intrinsically Safe sensors can be used in hazardous environments when connected to our approved galvanically isolated amplifier. Positek offers
Intrinsically Safe sensors for the following three hazard classifications:

    •   'X' series sensors - ATEX and IECEx approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour atmospheres.
    •   'E' series sensors - ATEX and IECEx approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour and dust atmospheres.
    •    'M' series sensors - ATEX and IECEx approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour, dust and mining atmospheres.
    •    'G' series sensors - CSA approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour atmospheres.
    •    'H' series sensors - CSA approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour and dust atmospheres.
    •    'A' series sensors - ANZEx approved position sensors for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour, dust and mining atmospheres.

Positek sensors are now available in the EX07 versions which are ATEX and IECEx
Qualified to Intrinsic Safety Specification:
    •    II 1 GD
         I M1
         Ex ia IIC T4 Ga
         Ex ia IIIC T135°C Da
         Ex ia I Ma
         Ta = -40°C to +80°C
    •    Certificate number Sira 13ATEX2371X and IECEx SIR 13.0154X
    •    The ambient temperature rating is extended to -40°C to +80°C.

Approval only applies to the certified code, specified ambient temperature range and atmospheric conditions in the range 0.80 to 1.10 Bar, oxygen <21%. The sensors must be used with a galvanically isolated three port amplifier designed to supply the sensor with a nominal 5V and to transmit the buffered output to a safe area.

The Positek X005 Galvanic Isolation Amplifier designed specifically for use with Positek Intrinsically safe sensor range is available in the following output options:

    •    0.5 to 9.5V - X005-545
    •    9.5 to 0.5V - X005-546
    •    4 to 20mA - X005-425
    •    20 to 4mA - X005-426

Click here to view our ATEX/IECEx, CSA amd ANZEx quality certificates.

Click here for ATEX/IECEx Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers

Click here for CSA Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers

Click here for Australian IECEx Approved Galvanically Isolated Amplifiers