Schneider Electric has launched a new range of safety switches suitable for a broad span of hazardous areas (potentially explosive atmospheres). The switches are ATEX approved and are available as coded non-contact type (XCSDMC..Ex) or tongue operated type (XCSA/B/C..Ex) for detection of opening guards.
The XCSDMC..Ex plastic, coded magnetic safety switches can be used in potentially explosive dusty or gaseous environments for safety applications, such as on machines fitted with small guards or covers with poor alignment on packaging machines, in food and beverage processing (sugar refinery, malt house manufacturers, flour mills), petrochemical plants and so forth.
They are approved for use in ATEX Zones 0-1-2 / 20-21-22, and can be used with Schneider Electric’s XPSDMB safety relays. Case protection is to IP66 and IP67, and with no mechanical points of entry they are ideal for washdown machinery areas. The devices are suitable for Category 4/PLe circuits (EN ISO 13849-1) and come with pre-cabled connections to aid installation. There are two Contacts (NC or NC+NO outputs), 100 mA/24 Vdc. Operating zone is Sao = 5 mm, Sar = 15 mm. ATEX Classification for XCSDMC..Ex is: II 2 GD - Ex mb II T4; II 2 GD - Ex tD A21 IP67 T135°C; II 1 GD - Ex ia IIB T4 and II 1 GD - Ex iaD 20 T135ºC.
The New XCSA/B/C..Ex metallic guard switches can be used in potentially explosive dusty environments for safety applications and come in three versions. The XCS A has no locking actuator; the XCS B has manual locking/unlocking of the actuator by pushbutton operated lock; and the XCS C has manual locking/unlocking of the actuator by key operated lock.
The XCSA/B/C..Ex covers ATEX zones 21-22 with protection mode tD. They are suitable for Category 4/PLe circuits (EN ISO 13849-1) and come with an M20 cable gland entry and screw clamp terminals. Protection is to IP67 and there are three contacts (1NC+2N0, 2NC+1NO outputs). ATEX Classification for XCSA/B/C..Ex is II 2 D – Ex tD A21 IP67 T90°C.