Axis announces two new explosion-protected network devices

Axis Communications, a pioneer in network video, has launched the world’s first explosion-protected thermometric camera specifically designed and certified for use in Zone and Division 2 hazardous locations. Axis is also announcing the launch of its first explosion-protected network horn speaker certified for use in Zone and Division 1 hazardous locations.

The new thermometric camera and horn speaker have been designed and manufactured by Axis to comply with international explosion-protected standards. The new products follow the Axis 2023 launch of the world’s first explosion-protected camera specifically designed for Zone and Division 2 hazardous locations, and show the commitment to expand its explosion-protected offering to further meet customers’ needs.

Optimising operational efficiency

AXIS Q1961-XTE Explosion-Protected Thermal Camera - The AXIS Q1961-XTE, the world’s first thermometric camera specifically designed and certified for Zone and Division 2, enables remote temperature monitoring to optimise operational efficiency, with a detection range that can extend into Zone and Division 1 hazardous locations. It makes temperature monitoring more accessible to Zone 2/21 and Class I/II/III Division 2 hazardous areas. This capability can decrease hardware costs for sites that currently rely on Zone/Division 1-certified thermometric cameras.

This solution also increases the speed and effectiveness of response compared to using a handheld device

The camera’s remote temperature monitoring and automated alert capability enhances operational efficiency by indicating advance warning of overheating equipment. This solution also increases the speed and effectiveness of response compared to using a handheld device, which relies on the manual observation of a specific spot at a specific time. Making this capability accessible to Zone/Division 2 hazardous areas, operational processes within critical infrastructure and industrial environments, such as waste management and recycling, can be optimised and made safer.

Different monitored zones

Temperature readings from the different monitored zones are available in a metadata stream, providing access to temperature statistics over time that allows for trend monitoring. This can optimise operational efficiency by enabling preventative maintenance in reaction to early signs of temperature variations outside of an acceptable deviation, minimising the potential of unplanned downtime. Operating as a temperature sensor, the camera can also maximise process efficiency by providing real time temperature data to a process control system.

To protect sensitive information and help prevent unauthorised access, AXIS Q1961-XTE features Axis Edge Vault. This hardware-based platform safeguards the integrity of Axis devices from factory and enables the execution of secure operations based on cryptographic keys.

Securing cable connections

AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker increases health and safety applications

Like AXIS P1468-XLE Explosion-Protected Camera, the world’s first explosion-protected camera specifically designed for Zone and Division 2 hazardous locations, the new Axis thermometric camera includes electrical safeguards against arcs, sparks and overheating, plastic components with enhanced fire-retardant properties, as well as secure cable connections. 

AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker - AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker increases health and safety applications, operational efficiency, and security across Zone/Division 1 and 2 areas with automatic alerts via network camera integration. It is certified for hazardous areas including Class I Division 1 Groups A, B, C, D and Zone 1 IIC, Zone 21 IIIC, enables live, scheduled, and event-triggered voice messages.

Unauthorised location access

The network horn speaker improves the speed and effectiveness of audio warnings within hazardous areas, in conjunction with analytics-equipped network cameras, which provide remote monitoring and automated alerts.

The new horn speaker can issue prerecorded reminders to wear personal protective equipment

Triggered by an analytics-equipped camera, AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker can relay audio warnings about smoke detection and temperature changes as precursors to a fire risk. In addition, the new horn speaker can issue prerecorded reminders to wear personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, when its absence is detected. The audio device also improves security within hazardous areas by warning personnel, or intruders, about unauthorised location access.

Audio management software

The horn speaker can relay messages such as real-time severe weather alerts, and can also be manually operated, issuing live instructions and individual audio messages to specific areas on the site. AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker delivers audio messages with high volume and clarity, even in noisy environments.

With simple audio management software preinstalled, AXIS Audio Manager Edge enables content management including message scheduling, as well as content prioritisation to ensure urgent messages interrupt scheduled ones. With zone management, up to 200 speakers can be divided into 20 zones, and the included software also enables remote management including system health monitoring and testing.

Preventing unauthorised access

With a single cable for power and connectivity, the Axis network horn speaker is significantly faster to install, configure, and manage compared to an analogue system. This approach reduces the total cost of ownership by minimising the downtime required for installation.

To optimise cybersecurity, AXIS XC1311 also features Axis Edge Vault to prevent unauthorised access. The horn speaker’s explosion-protected design is achieved by encasing the electronics and power connections within an aluminium chamber. Like Axis explosion-protected cameras, the design and manufacture according to explosion-protected standards also requires full traceability of all critical components for 10 years.