Control Panels In Hazardous Locations | Canada

Safety is our morning, noon, and night. Because things can go from bad to explosive at the press of a button. So reliable and safe components are non-negotiable. Every one of our products provide the ultimate in safety and security. One hundred percent of our programmable logic controller (PLC) and human machine interface (HMI) products are hazardous location related. They will stand up to any environment you put them in. Our equipment doesn't just survive hazardous locations; it thrives in them. We deliver the optimum in protection and performance no matter the location.

Division 2 (Zone 2)
IDEC has been serving the oil and gas industry for more than 30 years. We offer a variety of electrical and automation components including PLCs, operator interfaces, Ethernet switches, power supplies, relays, and switches, as well as custom-built control stations and LED lights. All with Division 2 (Zone 2) ratings or beyond.

The most effective method to build an electrical control panel for use in hazardous locations is to build Class I Division 2 rated control panels and adjusting the location of the panel to have sufficient distance from the hazardous area. You need a supplier who can provide the broad range of products you use in your panel while giving you peace of mind in terms of compliance and quality.

Division 1 (Zone 1)
When ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, or liquids are likely to exist under normal operations around the panels, you would build systems complying to Zone 1. IDEC offers switches and pilot devices as individual components as well as customized control stations complying with Zone 1 ratings. These custom-made control stations work well, especially for smaller and simpler control panels. This makes it easier to design control stations and panels for Zone 1 use, while saving time, reducing cost, and eliminating design expenses. Once Division 1 Zone 1 control stations or control panels are specified, designed, and installed, maintenance is minimal, and years of trouble-free service can be expected.

Division 1 (Zone 0)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards define another level of hazardous location, Zone 0, which is above Zone 1 and within the Class I Division 1 standard. Among various approaches, creating panels using intrinsically safe components can save you money on components and freight costs.

Intrinsically safe barriers work by eliminating the source of ignition by limiting the voltage and current. A typical intrinsically safe circuit would comprise of electrical components such as relays, pilot devices, and buzzers, as well as safety components like emergency-stop switches and safety interlock switches located within the hazardous area, which is in turn protected by an intrinsically safe barrier located outside of the hazardous area. IDEC offers intrinsically safe relay output barriers and lamp output barriers, as well as safety input barriers specially designed to embed the functionality of a safety relay module and an intrinsically safe barrier in one.