A range of Ex flameproof enclosures incorporating star delta replacement soft starter are rated EExd II 2 GD for use in areas made potentially hazardous by the presence of flammable media.
Fairford Electronics has joined forces with JCE Europe to offer a range of Ex flameproof enclosures incorporating the Fairford SDF Star Delta replacement soft starter. The integrated packages are rated EExd II 2 GD for use in areas made potentially hazardous by the presence of flammable liquids, gases, vapours and dusts (Zones 1, 21, 2 and 22). 'There is a continuing growth of hazardous areas in all sectors of manufacturing, evidenced by recent estimates showing that 50% of all industrial applications now contain a hazardous area of one type or another,' said David Bennett, managing director of Fairford Electronics.

'The result of this growth is that increasing numbers of explosion proof electric motors are being employed across all industry sectors.

The integration of our SDF soft starter, into flameproof enclosures means that we can meet the demands of our customers to start these motors, with the same high level of control that we provide for standard motors.' The incorporation of SDF soft starters into JCE flameproof EExd enclosures also extends the benefits of replacement Star Delta starting into potentially hazardous areas.

The SDF soft starter is a quick, easy and cost effective way for companies to overcome the problem of transients associated with Star Delta starting.

The SDF offers a new form of soft starting that overcomes the problems of Star Delta current surges by ramping up to an initial voltage; holding the voltage; and then ramping up to full volts without disconnecting the motor from the mains supply.

This eliminates the high current that can occur at the transition from Star to Delta phases.

Fairford chose the JCE range of enclosures because of their many years experience as a manufacturer and supplier of Ex hazardous area equipment, world-wide.

Certified for Groups IIA, IIB and IIB+H2 locations, the JCE flameproof EExd enclosures are used widely to house equipment such as relays, contactors, ammeters, voltmeters and other transmitting/receiving instruments.

The enclosures are manufactured from copper-free aluminium, with the option of natural or corrosion resistant finishes.