Range of Pressure and Temperature Switches Achieve SIL2

K-Tek (Netherlands) have announced that the company’s Beta line of pressure and temperature switches have been certified for operation in SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level 2) environments.

Beta switches are the only complete range of switches in the industry to be certified to the exacting IEC 61508 safety standard. To obtain SIL2 certification, the products must be analyzed based on quantitative data and tests indicating the length of time between failures and expected performance in the field. This certification helps reduce risk at the process measurement level when implementing Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) in process plant environments, such as offshore oil platforms, chemical plants, and refineries.

"Safety is a high priority for end users," stated Winston Landymore, Beta Product Manager at K-TEK. "SIL2 certification is not usually found in the pressure and temperature switch industry because of the difficulty in meeting the criteria. BETA is the only pressure switch company to provide a complete SIL2 pressure switch product offering. BETA switches are engineered for maximum over-range protection, wide rangeability, and narrow deadbands. They can be integrated with our SIL2 magnetostrictive transmitters, eliminating single mode failure and increasing the safety integrity rating of the entire level system."

The Beta line of pressure and temperature switches features spring-loaded, self-aligning diaphragm/piston sensors. Limited piston travel transmits pressure at the diaphragm directly to the microswitch; there are no intervening linkages or mechanisms and full protection is provided against high over-range pressure. The switches are engineered for maximum over-range protection of up to 5800 psi / 399 bar. The spring-loaded piston also provides excellent resistance against shock and vibration and makes changing ranges as easy as changing the spring. K-Tek’s Beta W-Series include a separate adjustment compartment that allows for easy field calibration.