Extronics Launches World's First Intrinsically-Safe RF Galvanic Isolator

Extronics introduces the iSOLATE500, the world’s first radio frequency galvanic isolator for hazardous areas. Extronics is a leading developer and manufacturer of intrinsically safe and explosion proof equipment.

A unique solution that revolutionises the way wireless networks can be installed in hazardous environments, iSOLATE500 will deliver significant cost savings to users in a wide range of industries including oil, gas, pharmaceutical, chemical and food processing.

According to John Hartley, Managing Director of Extronics, the iSOLATE500 is a result of four years of extensive research and development, and enables the rapid deployment of more effective wireless networks within hazardous process environments. Extronics’ intrinsically-safe RF galvanic isolator allows the use of standard, off-the-shelf hardware, making networks easier to install and support, providing an effective barrier to prevent sparking and eliminate any danger of explosions.

iSOLATE500 is fully ATEX and IECEx accredited and allows standard wireless equipment to be deployed without requiring costly assessment by notified bodies. By blocking all known faults including AC/DC and hazardous transients, it makes any RF output intrinsically safe, enabling installers and system integrators to utilise any standard access point or antenna, including directional and omni-directional, to deliver higher performing wireless networks in any hazardous area. iSOLATE500 also allows antennas to be easily changed as required without powering down the whole network.

The ability to use standard, high-performance antennas to concentrate the signal where it is needed the most will also help to reduce the cost of installing wireless networks in hazardous environments. Early deployments indicate fewer access points are required when iSOLATE500 is used as part of high performance wireless networks.

The iSOLATE500 intrinsically-safe RF galvanic isolators have an operating temperature range of -60°C to +80°C and are available in three different versions to meet a wide variety of applications. The 5GHz, and 2.4GHz models are designed for use with wireless voice and data networks, CCTV, IP telephony, video conferencing and Bluetooth applications, while the 900MHz version can be used for RFID tracking and GSM.