Dynisco Extends Machinery Directive Compliance to 4-20mA Pressure Sensors

Dynisco 4-20 milliamp (mA) pressure sensors are now available with the Guardian safety relay switch so they meet the Performance Level ‘c’ (PL ‘c’) standard of the European Machinery Directive (EN ISO 13849-1). The certified safety relay also complies with U.S. standard NFPA 79 clauses A.9.2, A.9.4.1, and A.9.4.3.2. Pressure sensors with mA output are often preferred because, among other reasons, they allow for longer wire runs without process-control signal loss. However, until now, mA sensors have not been available in a Guardian configuration.

The new sensors are the ideal choice for extrusion OEMs and processors that need to comply with the European standard, or who simply want a higher level of safety in their equipment, according to the Frankin, Mass. supplier.

The key Guardian component is an internal relay safety switch. It responds to input from the pressure sensor bridge, detecting an open bridge, a loss of power to the pressure sensor or a user-selected pressure level. Upon detecting one of these faults, the relay contacts open, sending a signal to return the extruder to a safe condition. Guardian-equipped sensors serve as a safety backup, bringing the extruder into compliance without the expense and complication of redundant sensors and external relay modules.

“When we first developed this relay mechanism, we applied it immediately to our millivolt (mV) and mA-HART sensors and it's worked very well,” explains Bill Desrosiers, Dynisco's v.p., new business development. “By extending the Guardian safety function to the 4-20mA product line, we can offer PL'c' compliance across the entire portfolio." 

Along with Guardian, several other features are included:

•  Rezero is now standard on all mA sensors: Also known as auto-zero, zero adjustment or remote auto-zero, rezero is a method of recalibrating the sensor by resetting the zero output at the lower end of the sensor's pressure range. Rezeroing can be accomplished both locally and remotely.

•   The output on all mA sensors is Machinery Directive PL'c' compliant: The mA output signal is PL ‘c’ compliant with or without the Guardian PL'c' compliant relay option.

•   The mA sensor is now rated SIL 2. Safety Integrity Level (SIL) refers to a relative level of risk-reduction provided by a safety function in an electrical circuit. The SIL2 rating of the Dynisco mA sensors can help plants achieve a higher overall safety rating, and may even lower insurance premiums.

Dynisco offers Guardian on a host of sensor outputs including mV/V, HART, and now 4-20mA.

“A pressure sensor, used in a safety function on an extruder, is one of the machine components that must comply with the latest European safety directive that became effective in 2012,” explains Mike Davis, Dynisco's dir., product management. “Compliance is required for new extruders put into service in the European Community and existing equipment being retrofitted by the manufacturer. In addition, extruder users who have a global presence and a desire to set uniform safety standards worldwide, or any company with a strong culture of safety, will want to protect their equipment and personnel by using Guardian sensors.”

Guardian sensors are self-certified based on Failure Mode Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA) reports that show the 4-20mA sensors have been evaluated for random failure requirements and meets Performance Level 'c' (PL'c') and SIL2.  The information in the FMEDA report can be used by the customer's system designer as part of the overall qualification of the device in the system for PL'c' or SIL compliance.