Intrinsically Safe DECT Products

Intrinsically Safe (IS) wireless products are designed specifically for use in hazardous environments, such as oil refineries, chemical plants, flour mills etc where inflammable gases or explosive dust may be present.  IS products require designs that preclude the possibility of sparks being generated by high electric fields, intermittent electrical connections (eg when changing a battery or when dropped) etc.   Traditionally, only PMR or pager products have generally been designed to IS standards and thus have had something of a monopoly for on-site wireless   communications in such environments.  The advent of IS DECT products means that staff in such environments can now enjoy cordless communication via the normal site telephone system to external contacts as well as on-site employees.

Alcatel
The Alcatel 4074 B Ex IS handset, a specially adapted version of the Alcatel 4074 business handset, was launched at the TMA 30 exhibition in the UK.  CENELEC certified to EEx ia IICT4.

Ascom Enterprise Communications
A division of Ascom specialising in wireless solutions for 'on-site' business communications

Company website
Ascom have launched an intrinsically safe DECT system, the Ascom 9d system

The  Basestation BS340/EX - data sheet
The product is made of high quality materials, which ensure corrosion protection and resistance to chemical substances corresponding to the requirements of use in a "normal industrial atmosphere". The dimensions are 250 x 255 x 120 mm.  The coverage test shows that the BS340/EX has a slightly better coverage than a BS330.

Alongside the basestation comes the 9d23 ExProtector, an intrinsically safe handset, part of the Ascom 9d system

Pictures here

Ericsson
The DT 230  handset, an intrinsically safe version of the Ericsson DT220 industrial handset

Matra Nortel Communications
Company website
MNC launched its intrinsically safe terminal, the MC900 Ex, early 2000.
(See also their MC 900 range of business system handsets).
The MC900 Ex terminal is identical to the MC900 (ie no headset jack nor vibrator) save for the fact that, due to the strict standards with which it is compliant (EN 50014 and EN 50020), there is no handsfree feature. Furthermore, due to the special IS battery we use, the autonomy is somewhat reduced: 40h standby and 4h comm.  The handset comes with a sturdy high-quality leather carrying case.

Philips
Company website

DECT6000 Intrinsically Safe handset is a heavy duty yet elegant DECT mobile with real choice in communication like telephony, true messaging and personal security with features like location detection, headset, over stretch protected safety clip. Kema certified to Eex ib IIC T4. 

Philips has a Intrinsically Safe repeater in their product range. This DECT repeater is Kema certified to Eex me [ib] IIC T6. The advantage of using a repeater in hazardous environments is that there is no wired connection to the DECT-controller which has to be secured.

For details of the innovative features of this product please see DECTweb's  Innovations Page


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