INSTRUMENTATION • ELECTRONICS
CEC, OSHA, and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). Outside of North America, a similar “zone” system is used to define and categorise hazardous areas and potential risk sources. To meet the requirements of industrial
environments, there are several methods by which equipment can be made flame and explosion-proof. For computing systems, equipment manufacturers that serve the market can design and manufacture thin clients, industrial panel PCs and touch-panel PCs that are UL certified, non-incendive (equipment having electrical/electronic circuitry that is incapable, under normal operating conditions, of causing ignition of a specified flammable gas, vapour, dust, etc. due to arcing or thermal means), and that meet the requirements for the various classes/divisions/zones within a plant or station.
Arista, for example, offers a wide range of panel mount and fully sealed touch-panel PCs for use in industrial settings. Te fully enclosed version is constructed of stainless steel and has no external vents. Tis design protects the components from gases, dust, dirt, moisture, chemicals, oil and other
external contaminants in an explosive environment. According to Shu, the touch-panel PCs
in various sizes are routinely deployed as HMI workstations in hazardous industrial operations, which can include the storage and distribution of large volumes of flammable and combustible liquids. For this type of application, the panel-mount PCs are fanless, ruggedised systems certified for use in Class 1 Division 2, Class 2 Division 2, and Class 3 Divisions 1 & 2 hazardous areas. Te systems are installed with a Windows operating system and the high- resolution touch screens can be manipulated by operators wearing heavy duty industrial gloves.
Te company also offers fanless thin
client versions as well, which are increasingly popular in industry as a cost-effective way to develop a virtual desktop for more centralised management. With remote accessibility, it is easier to manage, store, and use the data, and IT administrators can conveniently access any device connected to the server and make changes. Moreover, thin clients are easiest to configure, manage and deploy.
To maintain a completely safe industrial working environment, industrial manufacturers must install computing systems and peripherals that meet regulations and security standards for hazardous locations across the globe. By working with leading providers of computing platforms with experience in the industry, facility managers can obtain the UL-certified, non-incendive, corrosion- resistant thin clients, industrial panel PCs, touch-panel PCs and other critical equipment that will stand up to harsh industrial environments.
Hazardous environments demand PCs that are explosion-proof
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