HMI for explosive atmospheres

General Atomic Electronic Systems Inc. (GA-ESI) Terminal Automation Products division, serving the bulk petroleum and chemical storage and distribution industry for 30 years, expands its specialized products and system integration expertise with the HMI-3000Ex touchscreen computer rated for use in Class 1 Div. 1 and ATEX Zone 1 environments. Modern control systems are becoming more distributed. Instead of centralized controls in one environmentally controlled area of a facility, control equipment and interface points often are located near the equipment they are controlling or monitoring. For operators to interface with these distributed control systems (view status of equipment, monitor process conditions, change control modes or set points, etc.), they need an HMI. Distributed HMI allows companies to reduce labor costs, reduce compliance risk, and achieve greater operational efficiency. GA-ESI has developed a touchscreen computer housed in an explosion-proof box that allows the computer to be placed in hazardous areas. It was initially developed as part of an automated control system with integrated PLCs, I/O modules, and specialized software applications for the bulk terminal industry and can be used in various other hazardous areas where an HMI is required.