With new radio approval
Wireless position switches and sensors for hazardous areas
With Wireless Ex, Steute's Extreme division has developed a technology that facilitates the installation and operation of switchgear in hazardous areas. The switchgear is not connected to the evaluation units in the control cabinet via Ex-compliant cables, but via a low-energy radio protocol developed by Steute for this area of application, which is certified in accordance with ATEX and IECEx.
Designers of systems and devices for potentially explosive atmospheres can, for example, use the electromechanical Ex RF 96 wireless position switches in a slim rectangular design if the position of moving system components or workpiece carriers needs to be queried.
Alternatively, the position can also be scanned without contact - with the Ex RF IS radio inductive sensors in cylindrical design (M 12, M 18 and M 30). In this case, the Ex RF 96 ST universal radio transmitter takes over the radio transmission and also the decentralized power supply of the sensors.
According to Steute, the wireless sensors guarantee high transmission availability even under unfavorable conditions (for example in coexistence with other wireless systems), as is often the case in industry. The company has now revised these series and is presenting the latest generation with new ATEX/IECEx approval at SPS 2019. Both the electromechanical Ex position switches and the Ex sensors comply with the new ATEX/IECEx approval for operation in Ex zones 1 and 21. The wireless signal is so low-energy that it does not pose an explosion hazard, and it creates additional flexibility in the design of explosion-proof systems.
The two newly revised switchgear series are suitable for mounting on moving or difficult-to-access components of machines and systems in hazardous areas. In these cases, they simplify the installation of the switchgear and also the Ex approval, because it is possible to dispense with Ex-compliant cable connections and because the switchgear "sparks out" of the Ex area.
SPS: Hall 9, Stand 450











