LOCKEN’s access control systems win certification from ATX as per the new explosive atmosphere requirements

LOCKEN’s latest innovation in cable free access control, powered by contactless technology, wins certification from health & safety regulator ATEX, in accordance with new explosive atmosphere requirements. Approved to ATEX II 2 G Ex ib IIB T4, the solution is suitable for gas delivery and regulation stations, specific hydrocarbon processing and distribution infrastructures and chemical factory enclosures.

It is also suitable for areas where an explosive mixture of gas, vapour or mist may ‘occasionally’ occur in ‘normal operation’. The contactless solution meets strict legislation concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, which are most prevalent in the energy, chemicals, timber, household waste and food and drink industries.

Contactless access control

How does contactless access control work?

• Communication and energy transfer between the key and cylinder is based on tight inductive coupling. An alternating magnetic field, which is generated by the key, transfers energy to the cylinder. Data is transferred by modulation of the magnetic field.
• The system is made by two coils. One coil, which generates the alternating magnetic field, is located inside the key, the second coil resides inside the cylinder. The metal parts of the key and the cylinder are designed in order to close the magnetic circuit.
• In order to permit good alignment of the two coils a mechanism that activates the magnetic field generation in the primary coil is implemented. A Hall Effect sensor, mounted close to the primary coils, senses a permanent magnet inside the cylinder and the magnetic field generation is activated. Energy and data transfer is only possible when the key is inserted into the cylinder and the horizontal alignment of primary and secondary coil is within few hundredths of a mm.

Smart key solution

Catherine Laug, Marketing Director of LOCKEN explains: “Meeting ATEX legislation guarantees that our latest access control innovation, the new contactless key, is safe to use at potentially hazardous sites, enabling us to provide the most robust and future-proof solution to our customers.”

“Several large-scale organisations in the gas and hydrocarbons industries have already opted for the LOCKEN smart key solution and we are looking forward to working with many more in the future.”