Login | Register

Previous in Forum: Calculation of LRV&URV for a dry leg D/P Level transmitter above HP flange   Next in Forum: Thermowell length
Close

Comments Format:






Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







2 comments
Associate

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Panipat, Haryana
Posts: 35

Barriers and isolators

10/02/2009 11:56 PM

Dear Instrumentation Friends,

Please help me out to know the difference barriers and isolators. Also what are the voltages available at their terminals at different conditions for e.g. for DI barrier what would be the voltage at energized and de energized condition, similarly for DO, AI and AO. We are using both MTL and P&F barriers and isolators.

__________________
Neeruvti
Send to a friend Digg this Add to del.icio.us
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.
Guru
New Zealand - Member - Kiwi Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member Engineering Fields - Power Engineering - New Member Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 2657
Good Answers: 91
#1

Re: Barriers and isolators

10/04/2009 3:18 PM

Put really simply a zener barrier (generally) is a passive device that consists of a resistive element with a zener diode to limit the output energy, where as a galvanic isolator is an electronic device that uses galvanic isolation as the protection.

There are a number of good documents on the internet covering the basics of barriers, isolators and intrinsic safety.

http://www.slideshare.net/rlaverne/lunch-and-learn-presentation#

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_equipment_in_hazardous_areas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_safety

http://www.omega.com/techref/intrinsic.html

http://www.mtl-inst.com/support/faq_intrinsic_safety

Also try an internet search of the following search strings "zener barrier", "galvanic isolator", "intrinsic safety" and "basics" or "comparison". It is a very large field and so there is plenty of information available.

Also what are the voltages available at their terminals at different conditions for e.g. for DI barrier what would be the voltage at energized and de energized condition, similarly for DO, AI and AO. We are using both MTL and P&F barriers and isolators

It depends on the application and the intrinsic safety standards. Have a look at the MTL and P&F datasheets and website along with the datasheets and websites of the equipment you are connecting up to the barriers or isolators for more information.

Commentator
India - Member - ADIL MOULA Engineering Fields - Instrumentation Engineering - Adil Moula

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: India
Posts: 73
#2

Re: Barriers and isolators

10/06/2009 2:43 PM

purpose of the barriers and Isolator are same to keep safe energy level in hazardous zone ,apart from this similarity one can say that barriers are for intrinsic safety wiring purposes.and Isolators see many uses including splitting signals between a field device and DCS +PLC AND connecting an output from one equipment to another.

DI/DO depends on what type of device it is connected with the barriers,also if the device loop have a line control where we get open,normal and shortckt indications on barriers .same is with AI/AO . even though the supplied voltage is 24vdc when check on enerzised and de engerzised condition voltage level change between 4 to 8 vdc for DI/O in case of P&F proxy switch barriers . check with the vendor to get the exact specification

2 comments
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Previous in Forum: Calculation of LRV&URV for a dry leg D/P Level transmitter above HP flange   Next in Forum: Thermowell length
You might be interested in: Intrinsic Safety Barriers, Specialty Shock and Vibration Control Products, High Voltage Diodes