The Multibarrier enables
connection of an increased number of field devices to a fieldbus compliant with
transmission physics according to IEC 61158-2, either in the explosion hazardous
or the safe area. The specific transmission technology applies both to
FOUNDATION™ fieldbus and to PROFIBUS-PA.
Depending on the type of fieldbus model, (see
USER
MANUAL) only a limited number of field devices per segment can be
operated via an intrinsically safe fieldbus (in practice quite often not more
than 10 field devices).
When using the multibarrier, this limited number can be increased to 32 field
devices. The increased number of connectable nodes is achieved by an “EEx e”
rated fieldbus supply, which can be fed through from multibarrier to
multibarrier (see Fig. 3.1). The outputs of the multibarrier are intrinsically
safe.
Due to the galvanic isolation
between the trunk line and the outputs, and between the individual outputs,
compensating currents and potential transfer are prevented.
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