Project Details

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An Intrinsically Safe Electro-Pneumatic Controller with a barrier

Company: Proportion-Air

Major(s):
Primary: EE
Secondary: ME

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: YES

Intrinsically Safe Barrier for QB device This capstone project challenges students to design, construct, and test an intrinsically safe barrier for our QB Intrinsically safe electro-pneumatic controller. This critical safety device will be used in industrial automation to prevent ignition in hazardous environments. The project will simulate real-world engineering constraints and safety standards, offering students hands-on experience in electrical design, safety compliance, and system integration. Project Objectives • Research and understand the principles of intrinsic safety and hazardous area classifications to determine if we meet their criteria (e.g., ATEX, IECEx, NEC, U.L., C.U.L, C.E.). • Design an intrinsically safe barrier circuit that limits voltage and current to safe levels. • Construct a working prototype using appropriate components (e.g., Zener diodes, resistors, fuses). • Test the barrier’s performance under simulated fault conditions. • Document the design process, testing methodology, and results in a formal engineering report. ________________________________________ Expected Deliverables • A fully functional prototype of an intrinsically safe barrier to be used in conjunction with our QB Intrinsically safe unit. • Electrical schematics and PCB layout • Test plan and results demonstrating compliance with intrinsic safety principles • Final report and presentation summarizing the project ________________________________________ Skills and Knowledge Areas • Electrical circuit design and simulation • Safety standards and compliance (IEC 60079-11, ATEX, etc.) • PCB prototyping and soldering • Instrumentation and data acquisition • Technical documentation and communication