Showing posts with label hazardous area enclosure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hazardous area enclosure. Show all posts

The Analynk AP431 Dual-Band Hazardous Area Enclosure for the Cisco C9115AXE Access Point

Analynk AP431

The AP431 hazardous area enclosure houses the Cisco C9115AXE dual band access point for use in the hazardous areas.  The enclosure and antennas are designed for use in Class I, Division 1 group C & D areas.  All hardware, mounting plate, antennas and RF cables are provided to make installation quick and easy. The enclosure utilizes our proprietary explosion proof CTX series of antennas and includes four 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band antennas.  The access point is not in-clued with the enclosure. 

Applications:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Oil refineries
  • Oil & Gas Platforms
  • Chemical Plants
Ordering information: 
  • AP431 
  • AP431-ATEX 
  • AP431-N4 (NEMA 4X rating)
For more information call Analynk at 614-755-5091 or visit this web page.

Methods of Isolating Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas

Background

Combustion or fire is a chemical reaction in which a combustible material combines with an oxidant to release energy. Part of the energy release is used to sustain the explosion, by utilizing existing heat or creating a vacuum to consume more oxygen.  Within a hazardous environment there are three elements necessary for a fire or explosion:
  • A combustible material also known as a fuel 
  • Ignition source - electrical arcing or general heat
  • An oxidizer also known as oxygen
When a fuel, oxidizer and ignition source are present at the necessary levels, burning or explosion will occur. To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, one of the key elements needs to be reduced or removed.

Another key factor in a fire or explosion are the explosive limits. These are the maximum and minimum concentration needed of a given combustible material to support a fire or explosion. To form an explosive mixture, the hazardous gas must have sufficient concentration levels. The minimum concentration of oxygen to combustible material is known as the lower explosive limit or LEL. If the concentration is below the LEL, it will not be flammable or have enough flammable material present. The same condition would apply if gas concentration is too rich, meaning it will not ignite because it will not have sufficient oxygen to sustain the fire or explosion. This is known as the upper explosive limit, or UEL. It should be noted that different gases will have different threshold limits.

In addition to the explosive limits, each hazardous material will have an autoignition temperature and a flashpoint. The flashpoint is the temperature at which the material will generate sufficient quantity of vapor to form an ignitable mixture. As the liquid is heated and reaches the flashpoint, autoignition could occur. An autoignition is the lowest temperature at which a combustible material will spontaneously ignite in a normal atmosphere. For example, if we have the heating of a combustible liquid, explosive vapors are created. As the material reaches the explosive limits creating the flashpoint. If the general atmosphere is increased, the autoignition temperature, fire, or explosion will occur.

To simplify, the specification of electrical devices into hazardous environments, IEC classification methods utilize autoignition, flashpoint, and explosive limits to place hazardous materials within groups.

The two predominant methods used for classification of hazardous environments are the NEC and IEC standards. IEC and NEC standards both classify the level of risk into three main categories:
  • Continuous
  • Occasional
  • Not normally present
All three categories provide the likelihood of an explosive atmospheric condition within the general environments. Within the IEC standard, the general risk categories are then classified as Zones. This reflects the physical material that could provide a potential fire or explosion. From liquids and gases, the area classifications are Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. By altering the physical material to dust or fibers, the area classification numerical value changes to Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22.

Referring back to the necessary requirements for an explosive triangle, we know we need ignition source, oxygen, gas and or dust combustible material in the correct mixture within the atmosphere. In order to specify electrical devices and hazardous locations, we need to identify the general Zones within each area. When working with liquids or gas, we locate the most hazardous or flammable location directly above the material. Due to the possibility of the valve leaking, at the top of the containment structure we must classify the area as Zone 1. As we move further away from the possible explosive atmospheric condition the Zone classification would be reduced to Zone 2. By altering the combustible material properties to a solid form, the area classification above the material would be Zone 20. If the dust escapes the same failed valve, the external area around the same containment unit would be classified as Zone 21. As we continue to move away from the containment unit and with reduction of Category risk, the new classification for the general area would be Zone 22.

Now that we know combustible materials whether liquid, gas and or dust will have different upper and lower explosive limits, and we understand the general heat could be the ignition source, within the IEC standards the T rating specifies the maximum surface temperature an electrical device will create. As the temperature increases, the associate rating will decrease, meaningless heat will have a higher T rating, while an increase in surface temperature will reduce the T number.

As a recap the IEC standards classify hazardous areas as environments that could contain explosive vapors, gases, and/or dust within the atmosphere. The primary categories provide the risk levels as constant, occasional, and not likely. Since elements have a variety of flammability and the physical properties could be different, IEC standards segment the types of combustible materials into Zone classifications. The most hazardous is Zone 0 or Zone 20. By reducing the risk level to have occasional explosive atmospheres the Zone classification is Zone 1 or Zone 21 and further reduction of Category risks would change the hazards classification to Zone 2 or Zone 22
Flameproof enclosure
Flameproof enclosure for
wireless access point (Analynk

Methods of Isolation/Protection

Let's take a look at each method of protection and the general application. To ensure safety in a given situation, equipment is placed in protective level categories. As mentioned before Category 1 is the highest safety level, making Category 3 the lowest risk and safety level. The general 8 protective methods are:
  1. Flameproof enclosures
  2. Sand encapsulation
  3. Pressurization 
  4. Oil encapsulation 
  5. General encapsulation
  6. Increased safety
  7. Intrinsic safety
  8. Non-sparking
A flameproof enclosure method is a type of protection where devices that are capable of igniting an explosive atmosphere are built inside an enclosure. This protective method prevents the transmission of the explosion to the external atmosphere surrounding the enclosure. This method of protection would be suitable for applications on:
  • Power operated equipment
  • Switchgear
  • Motors
  • Any equipment that produces ignition source during normal operation.
Sand encapsulation is a type of protection in which the enclosure of the electrical apparatus is filled with a finely granulated material. This ensures electrical arcs occurring within the electrical apparatus will not ignite the surrounding atmosphere.

Pressurization is a method of protection by which the entry of a surrounding combustible material is prevented by maintaining a protective gas within the enclosure. This is generally accomplished by creating a higher pressure within the enclosure than the surrounding atmosphere. This protective method would be used for any power operated equipment.

Oil encapsulation is a type of protection in which the electrical apparatus or part of the electrical apparatus are immersed within an oil-based fluid. The general application for this type of protection would be used for:
  • Switchgear units
  • Circuit breakers
  • Transformers
Encapsulation is a type of protection in which the device that could ignite anexplosive atmosphere are enclosed within a resin. The material used would be resistant to environmental influences, heat and/or sparking from electrical components. The general application for this protective method would be used for:
  • Electrical circuit boards
  • Miniature motors
  • Valves
Increased safety is a type of protection where measures are taken to prevent the possibility of high temperatures and the occurrence of ignition. This method includes the interior and external portions of the electrical apparatus. The general application for this protective method would include:

Connection and distribution boxes
Luminaires
Measuring instruments and devices that do not normally produce ignition within operation

Intrinsic safety is a protective method to ensure that the available electrical and thermal energy in the system is always low enough that the ignition of the hazardous atmosphere cannot occur. This is achieved by ensuring that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area as well as all electrical supply and signal wires are protected by safety barriers. The general application for intrinsic safety would be used for:
  • Measuring and control engineering 
  • Data engineering
  • Low electrical valves
Non-sparking equipment and wiring process is a protective method where apparatuses are designed with low power levels and low stored energy. This ensures that arc produced during normal functionality of the equipment,  or as the result of equipment failure,  has insufficient energy to ignite the hazardous atmosphere. The general application for non-sparking protective methods would be used for:
  • Motors
  • Lighting
  • Junction boxes
  • Electrical equipment
All equipment certified for use in hazardous areas must be labeled to show the type and level of protection applied.

In summary hazardous locations could exist in multiple industries. The geographical location will dictate the general method used for classification. The European Standard or IEC provides guidance of risk into three main categories. These risk levels are then divided into Zones and have numerical values that relate to the possibility of explosive gases or dusts present within the atmosphere. Because combustible material could have a variety of explosive limits, the method of protection will be important. Nevertheless all electrical devices placed within hazardous environments will follow the device markings to ensure fire or explosion does not occur.

Adapting Wireless Access Points to Hazardous Areas

Cisco 3602E and Hazardous Enclosure
Cisco 3602E and Hazardous Enclosure
Wireless technologies are not new in industrial process control, and are increasingly used for real-time control and critical applications. One key piece of hardware is the wireless access point (AP). Wireless access points are networking devices that allows a Wi-Fi device to connect to a wired network.

In autonomous architectures, standalone wireless access points are used to implement all WLAN (wireless local area network) functions. They  have to be configured and managed individually and are typically used in smaller installations or stand-alone applications.

Aruba-AP70 and Hazardous Enclosure
Aruba-AP70 and Hazardous Enclosure
Unified architecture (UA) is preferred in large-scale, plant-wide wireless deployments because of its ability to handle a variety of clients and applications. Unified architecture offers guest systems, intrusion protection and facilitates plant-wide mobility. Centralized control and easy configuration are delivered through light-weight access points (LWAP) and wireless LAN controllers (WLC).

Well Known Manufacturers of Access Points


Meru-AP-1020e and Hazardous Enclosure
Meru AP-1020e and Hazardous Enclosure
Cisco Systems, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, and telecommunications equipment. Cisco specializes into specific tech markets, such as Internet of Things (IoT), domain security and energy management.

Miraki72 and Hazardous Enclosure
Miraki MR72 and Hazardous Enclosure
Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, brings Wi-Fi wireless LAN mobility solutions to enterprise networks. Its core products are wireless Access Points (APs), wired switches, mobility controllers, and network management software.

Meru Networks is a supplier of wireless local area networks (WLANs) to healthcare, enterprise, hospitality, K-12 education, higher education, and other markets.

Zebra-AP7532 and Hazardous Enclosure
Zebra-AP7532 and Hazardous Enclosure
Meraki was acquired by Cisco Systems in December 2012 and is an equipment and tech company who's solutions include wireless, switching, security, EMM, communications, and security cameras, all centrally managed from the web.

Zebra Technologies/Motorola manufactures computer systems that include printing, barcode, communication, mobile computing and advanced data capture communications technologies to the manufacturing supply chain, retail, healthcare and government sectors.

Adapting Access Points for Hazardous Area Use


In industrial facilities, hazardous areas are defined as areas where flammable liquids, gases, vapors or combustible dusts exist in sufficient concentration to produce an explosion or fire. In order to locate access points in hazardous areas, specialized access point enclosures fitted with explosion-proof antennae must be used. These enclosures provide UL listed, Class 1, Division 1, Groups C &; D, Zone 1, ATEX Zone 1 antennas (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz), mountings brackets and hardware.

Analynk, a manufacturer of wireless instrumentation in Columbus, OH, offers a wide variety of hazardous area access point enclosures as well as explosion-proof antennas.  Contact them by visiting https://analynk.com or calling 614-755-5091.

HazaLynk™ Wireless Products for Hazardous Areas

The HazaLynk™ Series incorporates a wide selection of wireless hazardous area devices to suit a variety of industrial applications. The product line includes wireless instruments for hazardous areashazardous area antennas, hazardous area access point enclosures, and hazardous area RF enclosures that simplify the process of installing field instrumentation, while meeting code requirements for hazardous classified and explosive environments.

https://analynk.com
(614) 755-5091


Visit Analynk at Atmosphere 2018

hazardous area wireless accesspoint enclosure with antennas
Analynk specializes in hazardous area enclosures for
wireless access points.
Analynk is an active sponsoring partner, participant and exhibitor at the Aruba Atmosphere 2018 conference, held in Las Vegas from March 25 through March 30. The event is organized and hosted by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. This event provides opportunities for technical training, as well as other resources to keep you and your organization up to date on technology related to wireless networks.

Visit Analynk Wireless at their exhibit space, booth D2F, on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday during the event. Share your wireless connectivity challenges and leverage your own knowledge and experience with Analynk's hazardous area expertise.

Analynk Participation in Aruba Atmosphere 2018

logo for Atmosphere 2018 conference by Aruba in Las Vegas
Analynk will be an active sponsoring partner participant at the Atmosphere 2018 conference, held in Las Vegas from March 25 through March 30. The event is organized and hosted by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. This event provides opportunities for technical training, as well as other resources to keep you and your organization up to date on technology related to wireless networks.

An excerpt from the conference website provides a good synopsis.
Technology is changing so rapidly that it’s near impossible to stay ahead. Don’t rely on Google and YouTube – you should join the best in the industry at Atmosphere 2018. It’s an opportunity to join over 3,000 of your peers to learn, collaborate and influence the direction of Aruba products that deliver enterprise-class wireless, wired, security, location and branch solutions. Be a part of today’s leading innovation machine!
At Atmosphere, you’ll experience the technical vision of how you can enable intelligent edge capabilities in your business with the Aruba Mobile First Architecture. Keynotes and hands-on sessions will teach you how to:
  • Learn how to turn IT resources into assets for your business
  • Close security gaps while supporting workplace flexibility
  • Provide the right collaboration tools for organizational creativity
  • Help your organization gain an innovation edge
  • Embrace the flexibility and scale of cloud and on-premises solutions
Make plans to attend and take advantage of the concentration of available knowledge, all in one place. 

Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosure for Aruba AP 274

wireless access point enclosure for hazardous area
This version of the AP617 Hazardous Area Wireless Access
Point Enclosure accommodates six explosion proof antennas.
The Aruba AP-274 wireless access point carries a description of it's operating environment range that says "Purpose-built to survive in the harshest outdoor environments, 270 series APs withstand exposure to extreme high and low temperatures, persistent moisture and precipitation, and are fully sealed to keep out airborne contaminants. All electrical interfaces include industrial strength surge protection." While the access point can withstand outdoor environments, maybe even some industrial environments, there is a large class of industrial settings where it is just as important to protect the environment from the device as it is to protect the device from the environment. Hazardous atmospheres require isolation and special housing of electrical gear that have potential to be source of ignition.

Analynk manufactures enclosures for industrial wireless access points, facilitating their installation in hazardous locations. Each access point enclosure is specifically targeted and designed to provide easy installation of specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers. Every model is provided with UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket designed for the target access point, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations specifically located to accommodate the target access point.The current offering accommodates a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points.

The website has a newly added data sheet for the AP617, specifically designed for the Aruba AP-274 dual band access point. Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your application requirements. Combining your own knowledge and experience with Analynk's industrial wireless application expertise will produce an effective solution.

The new datasheet for the AP617 is provided below. You can see all the models and their companion access points on the Analynk site.


Wireless Access Point Enclosures for Hazardous Areas

hazardous area enclosure for industrial wireless access point
One of  many variants of access point enclosures for
hazardous areas
Wireless access point enclosures for use in areas classified as hazardous are designed and certified for use in those locations within chemical plants, refineries, oil and gas platforms, mining facilities, grain processing, plastics processing and more. These specialized enclosures also provide an additional level of security for wireless access point by preventing tampering, vandalism, and theft.

It can be advantageous for the wireless network gear in the processing or manufacturing section of a facility to conform to certain information technology standards established for the larger scope of the organization. There can be real benefits to standardizing on particular brands or types of hardware. The tasks involved with back end management of network infrastructure are less complex when all the equipment is of the same vendor and product family. Provisioning, which includes initial setup, long term management, and unit loss management, is simplified when all the units are the same. Process engineers and operators pursue the same goal in standardizing on particular transmitters, valves, or other components that have multiple installations throughout a facility. Difficulty can arise when the IT team's chosen wireless access point needs to be installed in an area classified as hazardous due to the potential for ignition of flammable or explosive gases and vapors.

Analynk's industrial wireless access point enclosures are designed for Class 1, Division 1, Hazardous Locations, Groups C & D, ATEX Zone 1. Standard models are available to accommodate Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola access points. Each unit arrives with an enclosure fitted with mounting holes for the required antenna set and cabling, custom interior mounting plate for the designated access point, explosion proof antenna set and cables to connect the antenna set to the access point. Analynk's hazardous area enclosures for wireless access points deliver a ready-made solution for installing wireless access points in hazardous locations.

It's Been A Good Year for Us.

industrial wireless transmitter and receiver for process control
Industrial wireless transmitter and receiver
Things have been busy at Analynk this year. As the year closes, we would like to extend our thanks to all those who supported us with their business and their efforts on our behalf. Working together, the Analynk organization accomplished some notable goals.

Next year is already shaping up to be even better, with more innovative and creative products for establishing wireless process control connections across the room, across the property, and around the globe.

New Hazardous Area Enclosure for Industrial Wireless Equipment

hazardous location explosion proof enclosure for wireless equipment with antenna
Analynk's WEN-RT enclosure houses industrial wireless
equipment in hazardous locations.
Analynk Wireless has expanded its WEN line of explosion proof enclosures for industrial wireless equipment. The new WEN-RT includes a cast aluminum enclosure and antenna, both suitable for Class 1, Division 1, Groups C&D locations. Purchasers can select from nine different models, each provided with a different antenna to accommodate a target frequency spectrum.

A cable is included to connect the antenna to the housed device, and several options are available to adapt the enclosure to specific applications. A data sheet can be found on the company website. Share your industrial wireless challenges with the experts an Analynk Wireless. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their expertise to develop effective solutions.

Wireless Access Point Enclosures for Explosive Atmospheres

wireless access point enclosure for hazardous locations
Rated enclosures and antennas permit installation of
wireless access points in hazardous industrial locations.
Hazardous area wireless access point enclosures are designed and certified for use in hazardous locations such as chemical plants, refineries, oil & gas platforms, mining facilities, grain processing, and plastics processing. These enclosures also provide an additional level of security for your wireless access point by preventing tampering, vandalism, and theft.

Industrial wireless access point enclosures designed for Class 1, Division 1, Hazardous Locations, Groups C & D, ATEX Zone 1, and are available for a range of  Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola access points.
  • Designed for Class 1, Division 1, Hazardous Locations 
  • 802.11 b/g 
  • Available for Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola access points 
  • Explosion proof antennas 
  • ATEX certification for Explosion Proof enclosure and antennas available
Analynk access point enclosures accommodate specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers, facilitating easy installation. Every model includes UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket custom tailored for the access point equipment, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations located to match up with the specified access point. Models are included to house a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points.

A listing of all the wireless access point devices and their companion enclosures is found on the Analynk website. Contact Analynk if an access point you wish to use is not on the list, as many can be accommodated with a small modification to an existing product.

Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your requirements. Combining your process expertise with Analynk's product specialization will produce an effective solution.

Hazardous Area Enclosure for Aurba Access Point... and Others

hazardous area wireless access point enclosure with antennas
AP623 Wireless access point enclosure
facilitates installation of commercial equipment
in hazardous industrial locations.
Analynk Wireless continues to expand its extensive line of wireless access point enclosures for hazardous industrial locations. The model AP623 is a recent addition, specially equipped to house the Aruba AP-314 dual band access point.

Analynk access point enclosures accommodate specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers, facilitating easy installation. Every model includes UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket custom tailored for the access point equipment, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations located to match up with the specified access point. Models are included to house a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points.

Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your requirements. Combining your process expertise with Analynk's product specialization will produce an effective solution.

The datasheet for the new model is provided below. You can see all the models and their companion access points on the Analynk site.


Install Aruba AP-324 Wireless Access Point in Hazardous Area


wireless access point enclosure for hazardous location
Analynk AP619 wireless access point enclosure
Analynk Wireless expands its already extensive line of wireless access point enclosures for hazardous industrial locations. The recent addition is the model AP619, specially equipped to house the Aruba AP-324 dual band access point.

Analynk access point enclosures accommodate specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers, facilitating easy installation. Every model includes UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket custom tailored for the access point equipment, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations located to match up with the specified access point. Models are included to house a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points.

 Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your requirements. Combining your process expertise with Analynk's product specialization will produce an effective solution.

The datasheet for the new model is provided below. You can see all the models and their companion access points on the Analynk site.


Analynk's Newest Wireless Access Point Enclosure for Hazardous Areas

hazardous area wireless access point enclosure
New Model AP-621
Hazardous Area Wireless
Access Point Enclosure
Analynk Wireless has added again to its line of wireless access point enclosures for hazardous industrial locations. The access point enclosures are specifically targeted and designed to house specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers, facilitating easy installation. Every model is provided with UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket designed for the access point equipment, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations specifically located to accommodate the specified access point. Models are included to house a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points.

The most recent addition is the model AP621 which accomodates  the Aruba AP-214 dual band access point. Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your requirements. Combining your process expertise with Analynk's product specialization will produce an effective solution.

The datasheet for the new model is provided below. You can see all the models and their companion access points on the Analynk site.