#Product Trends
New EtherCAT encoder: fail-safe and explosion-proof
They are safe in more ways than one: sensors from TWK. Safety in this context means functional safety and explosion protection. The new TRK78/S3 fail-safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) encoder can now also be found in this group.
It follows the PROFIsafe TRT78/S3 encoder as another SIL2/PLd representative that also meets the strict requirements for explosion protection according to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU with zones 1 (gas) and 21 (dust). The robust aluminium or stainless steel housing with cable connection is flameproof (Ex d), i.e. the housing withstands the explosion pressure of internal components that could trigger an ignition. Transmission to the outside is prevented so that explosive gases or vapours in the environment are not ignited. In addition, the enclosure is securely sealed against the ingress of dust (Ex t) and the surface temperature does not exceed 100 °C (T5). The design 78 units thus comply with ATEX Group II, Cat. 2G (gas) with explosion group IIC and Cat. 2D (dust) with explosion group IIIC. The certification complies with the applicable standards of ATEX, IECEx, North America and EAC-Ex. Of course with SIL2/PLd certificate.
The encoder with redundant magnetic position detection and EtherCAT-FSoE protocol according to ETG.5100 version 1.2.0 offers all EtherCAT write/read services and the following features:
Complex slave with CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE),
Fieldbus Memory Management Unit (FMMU) and
Firmware update via EtherCAT (FoE).
Its resolution is up to 65,536 steps / 360° (16 bit) with a measuring range of 4096 revolutions. In addition to the position, the shaft's rotational speed can also be precisely recorded and read out. Different flange and shaft versions as well as the removable connection bonnet allow easy integration of the TRK78 into the application.
The areas of application for this type of sensor are expanding from year to year because, on the one hand, the requirements for the protection of persons and property are increasing and, on the other hand, the characteristics of increasingly automated production plants and their environment require increased safety in the sense of functional safety and explosion protection: increasing production capacities with increased plant efficiency in larger production environments with unavoidable gas and dust exposure. For example, the chemical industry, the textile industry or the wood processing industry are increasingly demanding safety-related components with additional ATEX certification. As a specialist for safe sensors, TWK is happy to meet this demand and expands its portfolio every year with several new sensors that meet these requirements.
