Posted to News on 8th Jan 2009, 11:52
Safety switches are approved for use in hazardous areas
Schneider Electric has launched a new range of safety switches suitable for a broad span of hazardous areas (potentially explosive atmospheres). The switches are ATEX-approved and available as coded non-contact type (XCSDMC..Ex) or tongue-operated type (XCSA/B/C..Ex) for detection of opening guards.
The XCSDMC..Ex plastic, coded magnetic safety switches can be used in potentially explosive dusty or gaseous environments for safety applications such as on machines fitted with small guards or covers with poor alignment on packaging machines, in food and beverage processing (sugar refinery, malt house manufacturers, flour mills), petrochemical plants, etc.
They are approved for use in ATEX Zones 0-1-2/20-21-22, and can be used with Schneider Electric's XPSDMB safety relays. Case protection is to IP66 and IP67, and with no mechanical points of entry they are excellent for washdown areas. The devices are suitable for Category 4/PL e circuits (EN ISO 13849-1) and come with pre-cabled connections to aid installation. There are two contacts (NC or NC+NO outputs), 100mA/24V DC. Operating zone is Sao = 5mm, Sar = 15mm. ATEX Classification for XCSDMC..Ex is: II 2 GD - Ex mb II T4; II 2 GD - Ex tD A21 IP67 T135degC; II 1 GD - Ex ia IIB T4 and II 1 GD - Ex iaD 20 T135degC.
Available in three versions, the new XCSA/B/C..Ex metallic guard switches can be used in potentially explosive dusty environments for safety applications. The XCS A has no locking actuator; the XCS B has manual locking/unlocking of the actuator by pushbutton-operated lock; and the XCS C has manual locking/unlocking of the actuator by key-operated lock.
ATEX zones 21-22 with protection mode tD are covered by the XCSA/B/C..Ex. Suitable for Category 4/PLe circuits (EN ISO 13849-1), the switches come with an M20 cable gland entry and screw clamp terminals. Protection is to IP67 and there are three contacts (1NC+2N0, 2NC+1NO outputs). ATEX classification for XCSA/B/C..Ex is II 2 D - Ex tD A21 IP67 T90degC.
