Wireless technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Intermittent, unstable and slow wireless connections are gradually becoming a thing of the past. At the same time, wireless technology brings about tremendous convenience to everyone, reducing clutter caused by messy wires and making hard to reach places reachable.
While commercial wireless products have been relatively cheap and widely implemented in commercial & residential applications, industrial wireless products were deemed to be too risky and expensive in the past. With the improvement in Wireless Technology, we are seeing a sharp increase of wireless applications in industrial environment.
Today, for industrial applications, we see Bluetooth, Wireless Hart, Wi-fi, Cellular networking and Phoenix Contact’s Trusted Wireless products implemented all around the world. Even in the process industry where a short downtime can result in millions of dollars lost, wireless is slowly being implemented; demonstrating how far we have come with wireless technology.
Some examples of wireless technology in process industry include:
- Cellular modem/ SatComm for remote access and maintenance to machines on FPSOs
- Wireless asset management
- Wireless controls & Instrumentation
However, the use of wireless in process industry is not as straightforward as it seems. Every electronic product in a potentially explosive zone has to be intrinsically safe and wireless products are no exception; the HF output power has to be limited so that dangerous explosions do not occur.
Often, you will have to find the right antennae to ensure that this requirement is met. However, these antennae are very expensive, let alone being hard to find.
At Phoenix Contact, our range of ATEX and IECEx-certified antennae barriers, you will be able to use your chosen antennae in zones 0, 1 and 2 with a peace of mind .
Panel and antenna deployed in Zone 2
Panel and antenna deployed in Zone 1
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