POSITAL has added an optional analog electronic interface to its range of explosion-proof IXARC rotary encoders. These devices have been designed to comply with ATEX directives for Category 3 electrical products and are suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 21 conditions (i.e. potential exposure to hazardous levels of explosive gases and dust concentrations). Available housing materials include aluminum and Types 303 or 316 stainless steel. The housings are designed to contain any electrical sparking and to prevent dust from entering the devices.
The new interfaces make these devices suitable for use in analog control systems. Both voltage and current outputs are available, with support for several voltage ranges (0 to 5V, 0 to 10V, 0.5 to 4.5V or 0.5 to 9.5V) and current ranges (0 to 20 mA or 4 to 20 mA). In all cases, the outputs from these sensors can be ‘scaled’ so that a predetermined range of mechanical motion (anything from a fraction of a turn to several hundred rotations) can be set to span the full electrical output range. This scaling factor is set using two designated pins on the connector, with no special software required. Rugged, reliable and highly accurate, POSITAL’s ATEX-rated IXARC rotary encoders are available with a wide range of mounting and coupling options that ensure that they can be readily adapted to many kinds of equipment. They are especially useful in oil and gas operations, mining applications, agriculture, chemical plants and milling operations where their ‘explosion proof’ capabilities are required.