ATEX Certified Humidity & Temperature Sensors – Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX
Published 10 Nov 2016
Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX temperature and humidity measurement equipment
By Chris Dodds | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX: Temperature and Humidity Measurement in Hazardous Areas
Rotronic manufactures precision instruments for measuring temperature and humidity across industrial applications. Its HygroFlex range includes measurement equipment designed for demanding environments, with specific models and configurations intended for hazardous area use.
Industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical processing, pharmaceuticals, food production and biotechnology rely on accurate environmental measurements. Where flammable gases or combustible dusts may create an explosive atmosphere, businesses must select equipment that is suitable for the relevant hazardous area classification.
Explore our range of hazardous area products or learn more about Rotronic HygroFlex 7 measurement transmitters, which the original article identifies for non-hazardous applications.
Why Is Dust Explosion Prevention Important?
Combustible dust can create a serious fire and explosion hazard when particles become suspended in air and encounter an effective ignition source. Industries that handle fine powders, grains and other combustible materials must assess these risks as part of their process safety arrangements.
The Imperial Sugar Refinery Explosion
The Imperial Sugar refinery explosion in Port Wentworth, Georgia, demonstrated the devastating consequences of combustible dust. The disaster in 2008 killed 14 people and injured many others, according to widely reported investigation findings. Dust from the sugar refining process contributed to a series of explosions and fires that destroyed much of the facility.
Fine sugar particles can burn rapidly when dispersed in air and exposed to an ignition source. Deposited dust can also become airborne following an initial explosion, potentially contributing to further explosions.
Other materials that can present combustible dust hazards, depending on their properties and the conditions in which they are handled, include:
- Flour, grain and starch powders
- Sugar and dried food powders
- Coal and certain metal powders
- Wood dust and some plastic powders
- Other finely divided organic or combustible materials
Employers should assess the specific materials, processes, ignition sources and operating conditions at their site. Where an explosive atmosphere may occur, hazardous area classification helps determine the equipment protection requirements.
Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX Temperature and Humidity Transmitter
The Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX is a temperature and humidity measurement transmitter designed for applications where accurate environmental monitoring is important.
The original product information describes a system comprising a transmitter and interchangeable probes. It identifies the transmitter for Zone 1/21 applications and compatible probes for Zone 0/20 applications. Always check the exact model, probe combination, certificate and installation requirements before selecting equipment for a hazardous area.
Key Features and Options
- Temperature and relative humidity measurement
- Interchangeable stainless steel probes for maintenance flexibility
- Probe options for different installation requirements, including cable-mounted and screw-in configurations
- Wall-mounted and duct-mounted transmitter versions
- Two analogue outputs, with options for additional calculated measurement values depending on configuration
- Optional LCD display with trend indicators and keypad controls
- USB service interface for configuration using Rotronic HW4 software, subject to the required safe-area procedures
- Calibration accessories for use in an appropriate safe area
- Robust aluminium transmitter housing; the original specification states IP66 protection
Important: Not every feature or configuration will apply to every model. Confirm the current datasheet, certification and permitted installation arrangements with the manufacturer before specifying the equipment.
Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX transmitter
Understanding Hazardous Area Zones
Hazardous area zones describe how frequently an explosive atmosphere may occur. The correct equipment depends on whether the risk comes from gas or vapour, combustible dust, or both.
- Gas Zones 0 and 1: Areas where an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously, frequently or is likely to occur during normal operation, depending on the zone classification.
- Dust Zones 20 and 21: Areas classified according to the likelihood and duration of an explosive dust atmosphere.
Zone classification alone does not confirm that a device is suitable. Check the equipment marking, protection concept, gas or dust group, temperature limits and certificate conditions against the site assessment.
Rotronic Temperature and Humidity Measurement for Pharmaceutical Applications
Pharmaceutical manufacturers need reliable environmental monitoring to help control conditions during production, storage and packaging. Temperature and relative humidity can affect product quality, material handling and process consistency.
Measurement requirements vary by application. A suitable instrument should meet the required accuracy, measurement range, response time, calibration and data-handling needs of the process.
Rotronic HF5 Measurement Features
The original Rotronic HF5 product information describes compatibility with selected HygroClip2 probes featuring AirChip3000 technology. The wider HF5 family includes different transmitter models and configurations, so confirm compatibility and performance specifications for the exact product being considered.
- Relative humidity and temperature measurement
- Dew point and other psychrometric calculations, where supported
- Interchangeable probes to simplify maintenance
- A choice of probes for different measurement requirements
- Analogue outputs with configurable scaling, depending on model
- Digital output options, depending on model and configuration
Monitoring Humidity in Pharmaceutical Processes
Pharmaceutical production may require close control of humidity and temperature in areas where products are coated, conditioned, stored or prepared for packaging. Reliable instruments help operators monitor environmental conditions and identify deviations from defined process limits.
Rotronic humidity measurement in the pharmaceutical industry
Rotronic Measurement Instruments from Thorne & Derrick
Thorne & Derrick supplies instrumentation for industrial process and hazardous area applications, including Rotronic products for temperature and humidity measurement.
Explore our product categories:
- Relative humidity measurement instruments
- Temperature measurement instruments
- Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX products
- Rotronic HygroFlex 7 products
- Hazardous area equipment
Rotronic – Measurement Specialists
Rotronic manufactures instruments and sensors for measuring temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚). Choose equipment based on the requirements of your application and confirm all relevant technical specifications before installation.
Related Rotronic Information
Read more about Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX hazardous area transmitters and calibration equipment.
Connect with Process and Hazardous Area Professionals
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