CSA/ATEX Intrinsically Safe: Meaning & Requirements

CSA/ATEX INTRINSICALLY SAFE: MEANING & REQUIREMENTS

In the many industrial processes where flammable materials are handled, any leak or spillage may give rise to an explosive atmosphere. To protect both personnel and the plant, precautions must be taken to ensure that this atmosphere cannot be ignited. The areas at risk are known as “hazardous areas” and the materials that are commonly involved include crude oil and its derivatives, natural and man-made process gases, alcohols, metal dust, carbon dust, flour, starch, grain, and fibers.

Intrinsic Safety (IS) is based on the principle that the electrical energy in hazardous-area circuits is deliberately restricted such that any electrical sparks or hot spots that may occur are too weak to cause ignition. This is achieved by inserting an energy-limiting interface in the wiring between safe and hazardous areas. The interface passes signals in either direction as required but limits the voltage and current that can reach the hazardous area under fault conditions.

Guidelines for Use & Installation:

• A barrier is required for the installation of IS sensors. The barrier is required for the installation of IS sensors. The barrier passes signals in either direction as required, but limits the voltage and current that can reach the hazardous area under fault conditions. The barrier is put in series and is installed in a safe area.
• Proper IS barrier must be used with this sensor to ensure compliance with entity parameters.
• Approved cabling must be used to bring the signal from the sensor to the Zener diode barrier or galvanic isolator, which is the energy-limiting interface. 
• Sensors must be grounded to a grounded structure by stud mounting the sensor directly to the machine surface, ensuring metal (of the sensor) to metal (of the machine surface) contact.

__________________________________

CTC is the world leader in the design and manufacture of industrial accelerometers and piezo velocity transducers, 4-20 mA vibration sensors, and proximity probe sets, as well as all related mounting hardware, cables and connectors, and junction boxes. Our products enable efficient vibration monitoring for predictive maintenance in a wide variety of industries. Industries served include cement, mining, petrochemical, food & beverage, auto, steel, wind, paper & pulp, power generation, water & wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical, hospitals, bottling, and more. Our mission is to offer the widest variety of accelerometers and vibration hardware products, which are compatible with data collectors and online monitoring systems, as well as the tools for installation.

The CTC product line features vibration analysis hardware for heavy industry. All CTC products are backed by our unconditional, lifetime warranty. If any CTC product should ever fail, we will repair or replace it at no charge.

CTC’s PRO Line offers the world’s most durable and reliable Proximity Probe Sets including drivers, probes, extension cables, and driver enclosures for 24/7 protection of critical machinery in the most demanding industrial environments. CTC PRO Line Proximity Probe Sets are compatible with all major data collectors. PRO Line products are covered by our best-in-class lifetime warranty on material and workmanship.


The TMP line features vibration analysis hardware for research and development. All TMP products are backed by a five-year warranty on materials & workmanship for standard sensors and a two-year warranty for all accessories, cables, connectors, and custom & private-labeled products.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Stock, built-to-order, and private-label products qualify for free cancellation only if cancelled within 24 hours of order entry. 

After 24 hours of order entry:

• Stock products will be subject to a 25% cancellation fee
• Built-to-order and private-label products will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee

Custom products are non-cancellable at any time after the order is placed.

If you wish to cancel an order, please reach out to your CTC sales representative. The timestamp of when your email requesting cancellation was received will be honored for whether or not your request meets the free cancellation window.

RETURN POLICY:
All stock products may be returned for a 25% restocking fee if returned in new and unused condition within 90 days of shipment.

Built-to-order and private-label products qualify for a 50% refund if returned in new and unused condition within 90 days of shipment.

Custom products are quoted and built specifically to the requirements of the customer, which may include completely custom product designs or private-labeled versions of standard products for OEM customers. Custom products ordered are non-cancellable, non-returnable, and non-refundable.

EXPEDITED PRODUCTS CANCELLATION & RETURN POLICY:
All expedited CTC orders are non-cancellable and non-returnable.