Typical applications for remote I/O systems

Remote I/O is ideal for use where your application is located in explosion hazardous areas or harsh industrial environments like marine and outdoors. Typical applications include oil and gas (onshore and offshore), pharmaceutical, chemical, waste water, food and beverage, and others.

Why use remote I/O?

Remote I/O systems are characterized by high functionality and simple handling. Remote I/O is the right choice when you want to put isolated barriers (I/O modules) close to the field devices.

This means that you reduce wiring, because the system is installed close to the field devices, and just one fieldbus cable is used from the remote I/O system to the distributed control system. Due to the reduced wiring effort, you not only save cables, but also time, money, and work effort. Hence, Remote I/O can be installed in a decentralized location inside hazardous areas.

• Remote I/O can be used in explosion-hazardous areas
• Only one communication line from DCS to Remote I/O necessary (e.g. PROFIBUS DP, MODBUS RTU and MODBUS TCP/IP)
• Control and monitor sensors and actors from the control room
• Wiring to field devices can remain in case of modernization

Pepperl+Fuchs offers remote I/O systems for different types of hazardous environments:

FB remote I/O for Zone 1 and harsh industrial environments

FB remote I/O is certified for mounting in Zone 1, placing the remote I/O system close to field devices. This modular signal conditioning system allows you to interface signals from the field with a control system located in the non-hazardous area via the following connections:

• Intrinsically safe field connections (Ex i)
• Increased safety field connections (Ex e)

The FB remote I/O system is installed in an enclosure. Standard enclosure options are glass fiber reinforced polyester (GRP), fiberglass, or stainless steel. Pepperl+Fuchs offers complete remote I/O solutions, including fully certified enclosures with built-in systems and components.

LB remote I/O for Zone 2, Class I, Div. 2 and non-hazardous areas

LB remote I/O is certified for mounting in Zone 2, Class I, Div. 2 or in the non-hazardous area. This modular signal conditioning system allows you to interface signals from the field with a control system in the non-hazardous area via the following connection types:

• Safe area field connections (Non-Ex)
• Intrinsically safe area field connections (Ex i)

Both circuit types can be mixed in one system. The LB remote I/O system is plugged into a backplane. Alternatively, our Solution Engineering Centers (SECs) can provide the system pre-mounted into a fully certified custom enclosure.