- June 13, 2008
MTL Instruments announces an enhancement to its Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept (FISCO) wiring components for FOUNDATION Fieldbus networks with the introduction of redundancy. MTL is the first company to introduce redundancy for the FISCO concept, which will provide the highest level of reliability for critical hazardous area applications.Specifically, redundancy of the fieldbus power supplies will eliminate the risk of network failure in the event of loss of a single supply unit. Such redundancy has increasingly been requested by end users and engineering companies for fieldbus installations in which failure could result in severe loss of production. The new enhancements will allow FISCO to be deployed across a wider range of fieldbus applications in process industries, and in particular those where the ‘live-maintenance’ benefits of intrinsic safety are requiredFISCO 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 the benefits of intrinsic safety as the safest explosion protection technique, the clearly defined maintenance practice and the widespread recognition by national standards organisations.Since their introduction in 2002, the MTL 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 networks worldwide. Plant operators have been able to take advantage of the benefits of a fully live-workable field network without the onerous restrictions on segment loading and maximum cable length that were imposed by earlier IS techniques.The existing product portfolio has established MTL’s credentials as technical leader for intrinsically safe fieldbus. These will be further enhanced by the introduction of FISCO redundancy.About MTLMTL Instruments, a division of Cooper Crouse-Hinds, is a world leader in the development and supply of electronic instrumentation and protection equipment for the process control and telecommunications industries. Many of the world's most critical processes are monitored, controlled or protected by MTL equipment and the Group is distinguished by the quality and reliability of its products, its global network of sales-and-support centres and its acknowledged position as a thought-leader in this high technology marketplace. With 36 dedicated sales centres in 13 countries and a further 137 MTL representatives in 64 countries, MTL's expertise in Intrinsic Safety, Industrial Networks, Surge Protection and Operator Displays/HMI is unsurpassed.About Cooper IndustriesCooper Industries, Ltd. (NYSE: CBE) is a global manufacturer with 2007 revenues of $5.9 billion, approximately 87% of which are from electrical products. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained level of success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The Company has eight operating divisions with leading market share positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2007, sixty percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and 34% of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper, which has more than 31,500 employees and manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2007, is incorporated in Bermuda with administrative headquarters in Houston, TX.