Static Grounding System

The Earth-Rite Multipoint II is an cCSAus/ATEX/IECEx-certified static grounding system that enables customers actively monitor up to eight discrete items of equipment at risk of discharging electrostatic sparks into flammable or combustible dust atmospheres. Whereas multiple items of equipment used in EX/HAZLOC operations require an individual grounding system to monitor each item of equipment, the Earth-Rite Multipoint II is a single system that actively monitors the grounding status of eight items, ranging from railcars to powder processing equipment.
 
The system consists of a monitoring control unit that features an array of red and green LED indicators that verify when the equipment in need of static grounding protection has a resistance to a verified true earth grounding point of 10 ohms or less. In addition to the LED indicators located in the monitoring control unit, equipment operators can refer to independent remote indicator stations that can be mounted closer to the process hazard. Each indicator station provides operators with a visual “Go/No Go” reference that informs them when the resistance in the static grounding circuit is low enough (less than 10 ohms) to proceed with the operation. As the remote indicator stations are powered by the monitoring control unit’s intrinsically safe circuits power from external sources like 230/110 V AC supplies, that would be needed for more expensive Ex(d)/Ex(e) certified indicator stations, are not required.

The power supply houses eight volt-free contacts, each of which is controlled by the corresponding monitoring channel in the monitoring control unit. In addition to the grounding circuit relays, a group relay can be selected to control external equipment that requires a 0 to 10 ohm permissive condition from several monitored channels. A fault relay is also provided so that interlocked processes can be shut down in a fail-safe mode should the system’s self-monitoring function detect if the permissive resistance range of the grounding circuits rise above 10 ohms or if a fault is detected with the micro-controller’s software.

The monitoring control unit and remote indicator stations are ATEX/IECEx certified for installation in Zone 0/Zone 20 atmospheres and cCSAus approved for installation in Class I, Div. 1, Class II, Div. 1, and Class III atmospheres. The power supply is ATEX/IECEx certified for installation in Zone 2/Zone 21 atmospheres and cCSAus approved for installation in Class I, Div. 2, Class II, Div. 1, and Class III atmospheres. (SIL 2 pending).

Newson Gale Inc., Jackson, NJ 732-961-7610 www.newson-gale.com

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