The nature of the customer's plant and products meant that the speciality chemical packaging equipment would be installed in a classified hazardous environment. The control & monitoring systems functioned most effectively when located close to the packaging line, so there was a need to protect these systems, with a few modifications as possible.
The customer viewed purge and pressurization (Ex p) as the most cost-effective solution and, additonally, permitted easier access for system maintenance, compared to using flame-proof/explosion-proof (Ex d) protection. The environment was classified as Class I, Division 1.
A Purge and pressurization system that was able to protect the controls equipment and meet the Class I, Division 1 hazardous area requirements, including power isolation, while permitting periodic maintenance
Thus the electronics could easily be installed close to the process.