DEHN simplifies surge protection in Ex-areas with coaxial connection technology
DEHN introduces the EXFS Coax-Connection Box, designed to streamline the installation and testing of surge protection for conductive components in hazardous (Ex) locations.
DEHN has released the EXFS Coax-Connection Box, a solution aimed at simplifying the integration of electrically conductive components, such as pipeline insulating pieces, into lightning protection equipotential bonding systems in hazardous (Ex) areas.
The new connection box facilitates effective protection against lightning-induced overvoltages in locations where direct connections are not feasible. The setup offers significant advantages, particularly for installation, maintenance, and testing procedures. The connection box is installed above ground, allowing for regular inspections of the integrated EXFS 100 component to be conducted outside the Ex-area without the need to disconnect wires or remove insulation.
The Coax-Connection Box is suitable for protecting insulating pieces in underground installations or for bridging gaps in cathodically protected pipeline sections. The coaxial connection cable provides up to three times better protective performance compared to conventional connection techniques for equivalent cable lengths. This ensures that the insulation strength of the component is not exceeded, even with longer connecting cables. DEHN also supplies the necessary mounting and assembly accessories for straightforward installation.
The EXFS 100 component complies with several international standards, including ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, IECEx, UL, and Inmetro. It can withstand a maximum lightning impulse current of 100 kA (10/350 µs), meeting the highest "H" class requirements according to DIN EN 62561-3. The device is particularly effective for protecting separate components with low electrical insulation resistance, due to its low sparkover voltages.
With DEHN's connection box, functional checks of the protection system, required at regular intervals by standards such as DIN EN 62305-3 and DIN EN 60079-17, can be easily performed outside the Ex-area without excavation. This considerably simplifies maintenance and ensures the system's continued operational integrity.