The coupling and decoupling of live electrical equipment in potentially explosive environments in oil and gas exploration and production is usually restricted to Intrinsically Safe installations.

To address safety issues, promote productivity and give greater flexibility in work practices, Hawke International is launching a complete suite of ATEX compliant connectors in 2006, one range of which is designed for live connection and disconnection in non - Intrinsically Safe circuits in Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 applications. All three ranges are easy to install, robustly engineered for longevity and suitable for instrumentation, control and power applications.
The new IntrumEx, ControlEx and PowerEx connectors will appeal primarily to users in oil and gas exploration, production and processing. They permit the safe termination of temporary connections for service, repair and replacement of key plant. In addition, they provide quick connect / disconnect for temporary equipment and reduce hook-up time for permanent plant when commissioning major capital projects.
Each range includes connection options for in-line and bulkhead requirements, both of which include multiple pin and socket configurations to suit specific applications.
Features common throughout the range include heavy-duty maintenance free stainless steel or brass bodies, ingress and deluge protection to IP66/67 and DTS01 and a unique keying system to prevent misconnection and safeguard contacts from damage. High reliability low resistance contacts are ensured throughout the ranges by the use of Multilam technology so that less force is required to engage or disengage the gold plated, multi-pin connections. An optional mounting flange is available which can be specified at the time of ordering or retrofitted if needed.
Connector selection depends on the application. To help select the right connector, Hawke have developed a unique software programme. This guides the designer through the selection process, taking into account electrical needs and the physical characteristics of the cable to be used. It advises the best connector for the task and highlights possible alternatives. This feature is useful for project designers who can more easily explore options to find the optimum solution.
Hawke can supply fully tested pre-terminated connectors for plug and go installation. This can be beneficial where skilled site labour is scarce, commands a premium or in other cases where build programmes are tight and time to start up must be minimised.