Fieldbus Temperature Capabilities Heat Up While Costs Are Reduced

Hampton, NH.. Today, MTL introduced a breakthrough in price/performance for field-mounted temperature input blocks - the 9331-T1 Fieldbus Temperature Input Multiplexer. The 9331-TI is built for 2 and 3 wire RTDs, thermocouple, voltage and resistance inputs, with each unit supporting eight independently configurable temperature inputs. The 9331-TI offers the lowest cost solution for temperature monitoring measurements. In applications like distillation columns, tanks, reactors, boilers, etc., it can reduce installed costs by as much as 70% per point when compared to traditional single temperature inputs. Traditional temperature monitoring methods (control system temperature input cards, single input transmitters, and remote I/O) are eliminated with the introduction of this intrinsically safe, eight input multiplexer. The 9331-TI mounts beside the process and uses FOUNDATION fieldbus™ for easy integration with today’s process control systems. The 9331-TI is bus-powered, operating between 9 and 32 Vdc, requiring a maximum current of only 22 MA. As a FOUNDATION fieldbus device, measurement status is available – good, bad, uncertain – as well as sensor failure indication. The 9331-TI features: • Support for 8 Analog Input (AI) blocks • 8 channel Multiple Analog Input (MAI) block • Input Selector (IS) block providing basic logic such as minimum, maximum, mid-point or average temperature The 9331-TI is designed for the harshest environments with hazardous area certification, providing intrinsically safe inputs when connected to an IS fieldbus spur or non-incendive Ex nL inputs when connected to a non arcing EX nA or non-incendive EX nL fieldbus spur. This flexibility, when combined with an operating temperature range of –40°C to +85°C and input-to-input isolation of 500 VAC rms, allows the multiplexer to be mounted close to the process. About MTL MTL has been serving the process and related industries since its formation in 1971. Today, the MTL Instruments Group plc, is a world leader in the development and supply of electronic instrumentation and protection equipment for the process control and telecommunications industries. Many of the world's most critical processes are monitored, controlled or protected by MTL equipment and the Group is distinguished by the quality and reliability of its products, its global network of sales-and-support centres and its acknowledged position as a thought-leader in this high technology marketplace. With 36 dedicated sales centres in 13 countries and a further 137 MTL representatives in 64 countries, MTL's expertise in Intrinsic Safety, Surge Protection, Open System Platforms and Operator Displays is unsurpassed.