Rechargeable devices manufactured in the last five to ten years now offer the option to use a USB connector to charge the device. As USB connectors made their way into the commercial industry, specifically the hazardous environment industries, limitations of USB charging have become apparent. In an ATEX/IECEx or Intrinsically Safe (IS) environment, certified electronic devices are required to be sealed to prevent flammable gases and dust from entering the device. This requirement reveals the convenience of USB as a potentially dangerous liability when not designed to strict engineering guidelines. To solve this, manufacturers have added rubber caps or plugs into the exposed USB port to prevent exposure to outside contaminants. These caps serve as an adequate solution if they remain in place and are not torn off or damaged. However, the rubber cap solution exposes new limitations due to the rugged nature of working in IS hazardous environments. When you consider the expense of replacing or servicing a safety-certified device due to an inexpensive rubber cap being torn off and invalidating its safety rating, it became evident that a permanent solution was needed.
The solution engineers sought to create was a hermetically sealed IS device with a new connector that did not compromise the products exterior. Traditional USB connectors are designed to be pushed through a hole in the product and use the compression friction of the dongle pressing against the port to keep the cord connected. A magnetic coupler overcomes this weakness by placing a magnet in the charging cord head and a ferrous alloy metal disk inside the product. When held in proximity to each other, the magnet automatically snaps into place and seamlessly completes the charging circuit without allowing dust, gases, or liquids into the IS rated device. When charging is complete, the user can be confident that they can now reenter a hazardous environment with their safety rating intact. A sealed solution saves money on equipment service costs while boosting worker confidence and protection.
Because of the knowledge and expense required to engineer IS-certified magnetic coupled products, a limited number of companies can achieve this. Nightstick has developed a unique line-up of trademarked Magmate™ portable LED products with ATEX/IECEx Zone 0 and Class I Division 1 ratings.
Nightstick, a global manufacturer of over 50+ Intrinsically Safe professional, portable LED lighting products, exceeds industry performance, quality, and safety standards. Locate a dealer near you at www.nightstick.com
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