• • • HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT • • •
Don’t ever compromises on power supplies for ATEX Systems
Marco van der Linden, UK country manager for PULS Power, says it’s more than just a logo on a datasheet
electronic controls, relays and contactors, for PoE communication systems or for motor drives. During the conversion from AC mains to lower
D
DC power outputs, switch mode power supplies produce high voltages and currents that, if incorrectly designed, may cause sparks and may also generate excess heat through inefficient design topologies being used. Certification of equipment and protective
systems for use in hazardous areas such as offshore installations have been in force for many years and there is a well-established supply chain for electrical equipment designed to meet the regulatory requirements. Preventing the creation of explosive
atmospheres and eliminating sources of ignition are the two main ways of reducing risk. Ensuring the correct equipment is installed in the system can help greatly in this. In addition, there is a duty placed on employers (The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002) to eliminate or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace. Introduced in 2003, the ATEX Directive covers
both electrical and mechanical equipment and is mandatory for any equipment to be used in hazardous areas throughout the EU. Electrical equipment requires independent certification for use in a Zone 1 area and most electrical equipment manufacturers also provide additional certification for Zone 2 products. Products from reputable manufacturers would be expected to be certified to both schemes.
How Does ATEX Apply to Power Supplies? To meet ATEX regulations, power supplies must be designed with larger creepage and clearance distances on the PCB than may be normal, this provides “over surface” and” through air” protection against conduction or sparks. Outputs must be protected from overload and overcurrent to prevent the possibility of damage to the end system causing temperature increases or fire. Internal components should be strategically placed to ensure cool running and reduce internal self- heating. Conformal coating may be required on the PCB not only to protect against application atmosphere but also increase resistance to shock and vibration. PULS Power is the only company worldwide focused entirely on the development and
24 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • OCTOBER 2022
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
IN-Rail Power supplies are found in almost every industrial process control system. They may be required to provide power to
production of DIN rail power supplies. For almost 40 years they have been setting the standards in terms of efficiency and quality for industrial power conversion products. PULS manufactures a wide range of ATEX approved power supplies and accessories, which are tested according to EN 60079-0 and EN 60079-15 and comply with the ATEX Directive (Class I Div 2, IECEx, ATEX). These devices may be used in systems in potentially explosive atmospheres of zone 2, category 3G. PULS Power can offer more than 80 ATEX
approved products for use in hazardous environments, these include: The QS series of ATEX approved high efficiency
and small size comprised of the QS5.241-A1 (24V, 5A), QS10.241-A1 (24V, 10A), QS20.241-A1 (24V, 20A). Featuring high immunity to transients and power surges as well as low electromagnetic emission makes installation in nearly every environment possible. The integrated output power manager, a wide input voltage range and virtually no input inrush current make installation and usage simple. CP-Series of ATEX approved power supplies are
cost optimized with no compromise to quality, reliability or performance. Key features of the CP20 series include high efficiency, electronic inrush current limitation, active PFC, wide
operational temperature range and market leading ultra-compact size. CP20.245-R2, 24V, 20A output power supply was
developed for on- and offshore use in the marine and offshore process industries. This marine- compliant power supply meets the high requirements of EMC class B without additional external filters and can be used directly in bridge and deck applications. The CP20.245-R2 has optimal electronic and
mechanical design for the harsh environmental conditions found at sea and onshore. The power supply is characterised by its high immunity to transients and voltage peaks as well as its robust aluminium housing. Included as a standard feature is an integrated decoupling function to facilitate high reliability N+1 redundant power systems. The CP20.245-R2 provides full output power of
480W even with fluctuating ambient temperatures between -40°C and + 60°C. The extensive approval package includes Marine DNV, Marine ABS and ATEX, among others. UB Series of 24V DC-UPS offer 10, 15, 20 or 40A
output with up to 200AH of standby power. These efficient, compact and reliable DC-UPS ensure the highest system availability and are available with capacitor storage or VRLA batteries.
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