LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM — 4B Group launched a distributed hazard monitoring solution featuring the IE-GuardFlex, which can connect and monitor sensors across multiple machines using 4B’s IE-Node technology.

This system can be configured for multiple machines, IE-Nodes, and sensors, directly interfacing with machine control centers to initiate shutdowns upon detecting potential risks.

Ideal for central control rooms and non-hazardous areas, the IE-GuardFlex connects to IE-Nodes in at-risk zones via industrial CAT6 Ethernet cables.

Monitored machinery includes bucket elevators, enclosed and open conveyors, chain conveyors, rollers, and more. ATEX-certified sensors connected to local IE-Nodes monitor critical conditions like belt slip (SlipSwitch, Milli-Speed), belt misalignment (TouchSwitch, Bulldog), bearing temperatures (ADB, Milli-Temp), vibration (Milli-Vib), and blockages (Binswitch).

Engineers can easily locate and configure nodes using the intuitive 7” color touchscreen interface. The system supports up to three different Alarm/Stop configurations per sensor, with output relays assignable to alarm and/or stop conditions per sensor or per machine. Common Alarm/Stop relays indicate alarms or stops across any connected sensor.

“The IE-GuardFlex system has been developed to empower facility engineering and maintenance staff to implement a comprehensive, de-centralized hazard monitoring system, using the simple and intuitive programming interface,” said Sam Payne, chief technology officer for electronics at 4B Group. “This eliminates the need to implement the hazard monitoring system into the plant process control system/PLC and hence means there is no special PLC programming software required, No need for specialist and expensive control system engineers, no additional PLC capacity and SCADA tags and no plant disruption during implementation. Separating the plant control and hazard monitoring systems also provides an extra layer of redundancy and reliability.”