Description
Product Overview
The MTL 8604-FT-FU is a highly specialized, safety-critical Field Transmitter Power Supply and Isolator, designed specifically for use in hazardous areas with Flameproof (Ex d) and Increased Safety (Ex e) apparatus, commonly within the process automation industry. This unit, from MTL (a leading brand in intrinsic safety and hazardous area technology, now part of Cooper Industries — Eaton), serves a dual, vital function. First, it acts as a non-intrinsically safe power supply for field-mounted transmitters, controllers, or other devices located within a flameproof enclosure. Second, it provides galvanic isolation between the safe-area control system (DCS/PLC) located in the non-hazardous zone and the electrical circuits within the flameproof enclosure in the hazardous zone. The suffix
FT-FUlikely denotes specific terminal configurations or input/output options.The core value of the MTL 8604-FT-FU lies in its ability to safely power and interface with equipment in Zone 1/2 hazardous areas without requiring intrinsic safety (IS) barriers for the power loop itself, as the equipment is housed in a flameproof enclosure. It simplifies the system design by providing a certified, integrated solution for powering 4-20 mA two-wire transmitters or other devices mounted in Ex d/e housings. The isolator function protects the control system from transients, ground loops, and faults that may occur in the field, ensuring signal integrity and system reliability. For engineers designing and maintaining oil & gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical plants, the 8604-FT-FU is a key component that enables safe, reliable, and compliant operation of standard electronic devices in environments where flammable gases or dusts may be present, bridging the gap between conventional control systems and explosion-protected field equipment.
Technical Specifications
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Parameter Name
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Parameter Value
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Product Model
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MTL 8604-FT-FU
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Manufacturer
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MTL (Measurement Technology Ltd), part of Eaton
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Product Type
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Flameproof/Increased Safety Apparatus Power Supply & Isolator
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Hazardous Area Certification
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Certified for connection to apparatus with Flameproof (Ex d) and Increased Safety (Ex e) types of protection. Suitable for use in Zone 1, 2, 21, 22 hazardous areas (depending on specific certification; e.g., ATEX, IECEx).
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Input Power
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Typically accepts a supply from the safe area, e.g., 24 V DC.
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Output to Field (Hazardous Area)
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Provides a non-intrinsically safe but isolated and current-limited power source suitable for powering equipment within a certified Ex d or Ex e enclosure. Output specifications (voltage/current) are designed to match the needs of standard 2-wire 4-20 mA transmitters or other devices.
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Isolation
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Provides galvanic isolation between the safe-area side and the hazardous-area side. Isolation voltage is typically 1500 Vrms or higher.
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Signal Interface
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For 4-20 mA applications, it may pass the 4-20 mA signal from the field transmitter (powered by its output) back to the safe-area control system, or provide a separate isolated analog output.
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Terminations
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Features robust screw terminals suitable for industrial wiring, with clear separation between safe-area and hazardous-area connections.
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Mounting
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Designed for DIN-rail mounting in safe-area or non-hazardous zone enclosures or marshalling cabinets.
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Operating Temperature
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Standard industrial range, e.g., -20°C to +60°C.
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Protection
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Includes protection against reverse polarity, overload, and short-circuit on the output.
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Certifications
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Carries major international hazardous area certifications: ATEX, IECEx, UKEX. Also complies with general safety standards (cULus, CE).
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Key Features and Advantages
MTL 8604-FT-FU is distinguished by its certified design for powering Ex d/e apparatus. Its primary advantage is providing a compliant and simplified solution for interfacing with common field devices housed in flameproof or increased safety enclosures. This eliminates the complexity and cost of using intrinsic safety barriers for the power loop in these scenarios, as the explosion protection is provided by the mechanical design of the field enclosure itself. The module ensures that the electrical connections to that enclosure meet the stringent requirements of the relevant certification standards.
Robust isolation and signal integrity are fundamental to its operation. The unit provides high-grade galvanic isolation, which breaks ground loops between the field and control system. This prevents noise, common-mode voltages, and potential differences from corrupting the sensitive 4-20 mA measurement signal, ensuring accurate data transmission to the DCS/PLC. The isolation also protects the control system equipment from voltage transients or faults that could occur in the field wiring or within the flameproof enclosure.
Safety, reliability, and ease of use are key benefits. As a product from MTL, a world leader in hazardous area technology, it is engineered and certified to the highest safety standards, providing peace of mind for plant operators. Its DIN-rail mounting and clear terminal design facilitate easy installation and maintenance. By integrating both power supply and isolation in one certified unit, it reduces the number of components in the marshalling cabinet, saves space, and simplifies system documentation and compliance audits. For system designers, the 8604-FT-FU offers a reliable, off-the-shelf building block that streamlines the integration of explosion-protected field equipment into modern control systems, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency.
Application Areas
The MTL 8604-FT-FU is deployed in process industries where electronic field instruments are installed in Flameproof (Ex d) or Increased Safety (Ex e) enclosures within hazardous areas.
Typical applications include:
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Oil & Gas Production/Refining: Powering and interfacing with pressure, temperature, or level transmitters mounted in flameproof housings on wellheads, pipelines, separators, and refinery process units.
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Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plants: Connecting to analytical instruments, control valves with positioners, or other devices housed in Ex d/e enclosures within classified zones.
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Paint and Coating Facilities: Where flammable solvents are used.
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Grain Handling and Storage: In areas with combustible dust (Zones 21/22).
Essentially, it is used wherever a standard 4-20 mA transmitter (or similar device) cannot be made intrinsically safe itself, but is instead housed in a certified explosion-proof enclosure, and requires a safe, isolated power and signal interface back to the control room.
Related Products
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Flameproof/Increased Safety Enclosures (Ex d/Ex e): The certified field housings that contain the transmitters powered by the 8604-FT-FU.
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MTL Intrinsic Safety (IS) Barriers: Used for different protection concepts (Ex i) for devices installed in the hazardous area without a flameproof enclosure.
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DIN-rail Power Supplies: Standard 24V DC power supplies that can provide the input to the 8604-FT-FU.
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Signal Conditioners/Isolators: For applications requiring only isolation without the specific Ex d/e power interface.
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Hazardous Area Junction Boxes: For marshalling field wiring in classified areas.
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Control System I/O Cards (DCS/PLC): The destination for the 4-20 mA signal from the isolator.
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