| Remote interface technology |
|
If you look at the history of interface technology, it is clear to see that it continuously produced some interesting innovations. |
One new approach is based on the idea of turning the interface device into a local device, and also bringing this technology closer to the field device.
The requirements placed on associated equipment for use in the field are considerably different to those placed on conventional devices. Firstly, the mechanical requirements have to be considered since the device has to be as small as possible but still easy to handle for connecting and servicing. It must also feature a certain level of mechanical and chemical resistance.
Temperature factors also vary greatly, whilst optical indication options and the resulting diagnostics options are important features for operation. When transferring the features normally expected of conventional railmounted devices to devices for remote interface technology, it soon becomes clear that reconciling the options and requirements involved is not so straightforward.
With galvanic isolation being the current state of the art, a certain amount of space is required, which nowadays, for an increasing number of installations in the process industry, is a rare commodity.
This valuable resource therefore had to be treated with due care. The “Cartridge” devices were therefore developed from the inside to the outside. It became clear very quickly that the reduced housing size requirements could only be achieved with a planar transformer. Unlike wound transformers, this type of component offers increased space utilisation.
A housing size of only 125 x 25 x 32 mm was possible, which included the minimum moulded encapsulation required. These housing dimensions still offered enough space to integrate the M12 connectors, provide the LEDs required and to print the necessary information. Further space reductions were achieved as a result of successful fundamental research in self-correcting circuits.
This enabled the number of components required to be further reduced, with all the inherent benefits such as space saving, cost saving as well as low heat generation...
The Author:
Jörg Tauert
is productspecialist interfaces
at Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG
Download full size editorial:
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletter Subscription |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
.jpg)
