An output module for an industrial controller provides electrical isolation between each of the output terminals in the module. The output module receives control signals from the industrial controller indicating a desired output state for each of the output terminals and selectively connects power from the output of the electrical isolation to the output terminal. During normal operation, a switching device connects the power to the output terminal responsive to the control signal. A current sensor monitors the current conducted at the output terminal. If the current exceeds a predefined threshold, a current limit circuit clamps the current being output at the terminal. A control circuit may allow the output terminal to ride through a temporary spike in current or disable the output terminal if a fault condition is detected.

An output module for an industrial controller provides electrical isolation between each of the output terminals in the module. The output module receives control signals from the industrial controller indicating a desired output state for each of the output terminals and selectively connects power from the output of the electrical isolation to the output terminal. During normal operation, a switching device connects the power to the output terminal responsive to the control signal. A current sensor monitors the current conducted at the output terminal. If the current exceeds a predefined threshold, a current limit circuit clamps the current being output at the terminal. A control circuit may allow the output terminal to ride through a temporary spike in current or disable the output terminal if a fault condition is detected.

Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate multi-channel isolation is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a multiplexer including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; a modulator including an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the modulator coupled to the output terminal of the multiplexer; an isolation capacitor including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the isolation capacitor coupled to the output terminal of the modulator; a first receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor; and a second receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor.

A connection equipment (IJB 200) for connected to a control system (205) via a cable (206) and a field device (201) via a terminal port (306), comprising: a processor (300) configured to determine the terminal port corresponding to the field device reference included in a communication signal received from the control system and to instruct a transmitter/receiver (304) to transmit the communication signal to the terminal port determined, and an isolator (305B) configured to electrically isolate the communication signal to be transmitted to the field device via the terminal port and the electric power signal to be provided to the field device via the terminal port, from the other terminal ports.

A method for providing galvanic isolation between an input or trunk interface (30) and multiple outputs or spur interfaces (38) for connecting field devices (14) to a trunk (20) of a two-wire (44a, 44b) process control network (10) includes connecting multiple sets of multiple spur interfaces to respective isolating elements (34). Each isolating element (34) connects a respective set of outputs or spur interfaces (38) to the trunk interface (30) and galvanically isolates (40, 42) the respective set of spur interfaces (38) from the trunk interface (30). Field devices (14) attached to different sets of spur interfaces are also galvanically isolated from one another.

A method for controlling a safety-critical process of a technical installation includes providing a first safe signaling unit and a second safe signaling unit that are connected to the safety-critical process via I/O channels. The method includes connecting the first safe signaling unit and the second safe signaling unit via a physical connection. The method includes implementing a safety-related communication protocol for failsafe data exchange on a logical level over the physical connection between the first signaling unit and the second signaling unit. The method includes exchanging data between the first safe signaling unit and the second safe signaling unit in a failsafe manner using the safety-related communication protocol to control the safety-critical process. The physical connection is implemented via a power supply network.

The present disclosure relates to a device for supplying energy to at least one intrinsically safe load in a potentially explosive area, the device including: a housing with an electrical input and with at least one electrical output, the housing is encapsulated in a pressure-proof manner, the electrical input encapsulated in a pressure-proof manner, and the at least one electrical output being intrinsically safe; an ignition protection module arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the electrical input and to the at least one electrical output, wherein the ignition protection module converts an electrical voltage present at the electrical input into an intrinsically safe electrical voltage and provides it at least one electrical output there, wherein the ignition protection module converts an electrical current present at the electrical input into an intrinsically safe electrical current and provides it at the at least one electrical output there.

Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate multi-channel isolation is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a multiplexer including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; a modulator including an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the modulator coupled to the output terminal of the multiplexer; an isolation capacitor including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the isolation capacitor coupled to the output terminal of the modulator; a first receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor; and a second receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor.

Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate multi-channel isolation is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a multiplexer including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; a modulator including an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the modulator coupled to the output terminal of the multiplexer; an isolation capacitor including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the isolation capacitor coupled to the output terminal of the modulator; a first receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor; and a second receiver die coupled to the second terminal of the isolation capacitor.

An output module for an industrial controller provides electrical isolation between each of the output terminals in the module. The output module receives control signals from the industrial controller indicating a desired output state for each of the output terminals and selectively connects power from the output of the electrical isolation to the output terminal. During normal operation, a switching device connects the power to the output terminal responsive to the control signal. A current sensor monitors the current conducted at the output terminal. If the current exceeds a predefined threshold, a current limit circuit clamps the current being output at the terminal. A control circuit may allow the output terminal to ride through a temporary spike in current or disable the output terminal if a fault condition is detected.