MTL Instruments has made a major enhancement to its class leading range of Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept (FISCO) wiring component for FOUNDATION Fieldbus networks. With the introduction of redundancy, the technique can now be used in critical hazardous area applications, while retaining the benefit of 'live maintenance'.

Specifically, redundancy of the fieldbus power supplies will be provided to eliminate the risk of network failure in the event of loss of a single supply unit. Such redundancy is routinely specified by end users and engineering companies for fieldbus installations where failure could result in severe loss of production.

FISCO is defined by IEC standard 60079-27, which provides a framework for the design and implementation of intrinsically safe fieldbus networks in hazardous areas. It has found wide industry acceptance because of th benefits of intrinsic safety as the safest explosion-protection technique, the clearly defined maintenance practice, and the widespread recognition by national standards organisations.

Since thier introduction in 2002, the MTL912x-IS series of simplex FISCO power supplies and wiring components have become the definitive solution for intrinsically safe Fieldbus , and have been chosen by influential end users to protect major hazardous area network worldwide.