Industrial producers can more easily and efficiently connect to devices in hazardous areas using the new Allen-Bradley 1718 Ex I/O modules from Rockwell Automation. The intrinsically safe distributed I/O modules provide EtherNet/IP connectivity to field devices in Zone 0 and Zone 1 hazardous areas. 1718 Ex I/O modules can reduce wiring in industrial applications because they can be mounted in Zone 1, closer to field devices in hazardous areas. The I/O modules can also save space with a compact, chassis-based I/O design that contains the primary power supply and an optional redundant power supply in the chassis.
Partnership for Enclosures
Different chassis options and slot sizes allow users to scale the 1718 Ex I/O modules to meet a wide range of system requirements. Add-on Profiles in the Studio 5000 Logix Designer application help ease configuration of the modules. And a dual-port EtherNet/IP adapter that enables a Device Level Ring (DLR) topology can help improve network resilience. The 1718 Ex I/O modules are designed for hazardous applications found in industries like chemical, oil and gas, and food and beverage. An ATEX-certified enclosure is required for the 1718 Ex I/O modules to be mounted in an ATEX Zone 1 area. As a complete solution, Rockwell Automation collaborates with our Encompass partner Pepperl+Fuchs, who offers Zone 1 certified enclosures. The Allen-Bradley intrinsically safe distributed I/O portfolio also includes the 1719 Ex I/O product family, which is certified for mounting in Class I, Division 2 (North America) and Zone 2 (global) hazardous areas.
