Earth-Rite® II RTR
Newson Gale’s dedicated road tanker static earthing system with system interlocks and visual indication
Datasheet Downloads
Overview of the Earth-Rite® RTR
The Earth-Rite® RTR forms part of the Earth-Rite® range and is designed to earth a road tanker during loading and unloading operations. Because road tankers are isolated from the general mass of the earth by their tyres, they can accumulate electrostatic charge during the loading/unloading of electrically insulating materials. Because the road tanker is electrically isolated from the earth it has a capacitance relative to earth.
A simplified model of road tanker capacitance is the parallel plate capacitor and road tankers are generally thought to have a capacitance value of greater than 1000 picofarads (pF). Newson Gale’s own research into road tanker capacitance shows high variations of capacitance depending on several variables. It is for this reason that the Earth-Rite® RTR, via its patented method of operation, can cater for such variables thus eliminating the need to calibrate the systems at the point of installation, or throughout its period in use.
Operation of the Earth-Rite® RTR
To help promote the standard operating procedure (SOP) of “Clamp on First, Clamp off Last” the Earth-Rite® RTR sends an intrinsically safe ‘ia’ signal via the earthing clamp’s connection to the designated earthing point on the road tanker whereby it determines if the capacitance reflects that of a road tanker.
(All other metal objects in the local gantry area should be earthed for electrical fault protection, lightning protection, and the elimination of electrostatic ignition sources within Ex areas).
The signal completes its journey to the Earth-Rite® RTR via the general mass of the earth and the loading gantry’s designated earthing point. If the signal returns to the Earth-Rite® RTR, the system can verify if the designated earthing point at the loading gantry is connected to the general mass of the earth. Electrostatic charge generated by the process will transfer from the road tanker via the Earth-Rite® RTR to Earth.
When the Earth-Rite® RTR checks that the designated earthing point of the loading gantry has a connection to the earth, it then switches to active monitoring of the clamp’s connection between the road tanker and the designated earthing point of the loading gantry. In line with IEC 60079-32-1, it requires a resistance of 10 ohms or less to be present.
An important point to note is that the Earth-Rite® RTR does not only monitor the earthing clamp’s connection to the road tanker, it also actively monitors its connection to the designated earthing point of the loading gantry. Connection to earth via a local designated earth point and not via a high integrity electrical earth is possible due to the intrinsically safe circuit concept being achieved through ‘galvanic isolation’.
When the necessary inputs are in place, the Earth-Rite® RTR switches from solid red to flashing green LED indication. Site operators have the option of using either intrinsically safe or volt free non-intrinsically safe contacts to interlock with the equipment controlling the transfer of material. These can be utilised to prevent the loading/unloading process from starting unless a permissive state is provided by the Earth-Rite® RTR.
Please note that an Ex competent person is required to carry out the installation of Ex certified products, as per the product manual. If you have any doubt with respect to the installation requirements of Newson Gale equipment in Ex atmospheres one of our CompEx certified engineers will be happy to support.
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P1 = one GRP enclosure
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Newson Gale has an extensive product range that can be tailored to your processes and the range of hazardous area classifications at your location. The most effective way to identify what is applicable for your operations is by talking to our team. They will provide in-depth information on the products, features and how the range of options can be tailored to your needs.
