Products » Intrinsically Safe

All About Class I Division 1 Electronic Mass Flow and Pressure Instruments

IS-Max™ & IS-Pro™ bring digital metering and control for CID1 settings, without explosion proof housings!

Alicat intrinsically safe gas flow and pressure instrumentation
Alicat® offers the world’s first integrated measurement and control units for flow and pressure in class I division 1 areas. With analog or serial communication, IS‑Max and IS‑Pro connect with your PLC or PC, just like other industrial automation sensors, but protected by intrinsically safe barriers.
Alicat intrinsically safe gas flow and pressure instrumentation

Proportional control with increased automation

  • Up to 13 reported parameters on flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
  • Relative humidity reporting option, ideal for humid hydrogen processes
  • Accurate, repeatable digital measurement, measuring 1,000 times per second
  • Use digital comms, set point, alarms, and totalizer in your system automation and reduce manual intervention in hazlocs
  • IP66 ingress protection appropriate for analyzer shelters, environmental monitoring, or shaded outdoor areas

Alicat’s family of intrinsically safe instruments

Alicat IS-Max instruments

IS‑Max mass flow meters and controllers

IS-Max intrinsically safe flow meters and MFCs for natural gas, hydrogen & more rated for class I division 1, IECEx, and ATEX Zone 0.

Alicat IS-Pro instruments

IS‑Pro pressure gauges and controllers

IS-Pro intrinsically safe pressure controllers and meters, great for back pressure control or dome-loaded pressure regulators in class I division 1, IECEx, and ATEX Zone 0 settings.

Alicat IS-Pro instruments

IS‑Pro pressure gauges and controllers

IS-Pro intrinsically safe pressure controllers and meters, great for back pressure control or dome-loaded pressure regulators in class I division 1, IECEx, and ATEX Zone 0 settings.

Why switch to an electronic flow and pressure controller in class I division 1, or division 2 zones?

Discover how novel technology is transforming analyzer systems in oil & gas processing. When IS‑Max and IS‑Pro are integrated, operators gain unprecedented control and accuracy while reducing manual intervention, even under shifting environmental conditions. Explore how our intrinsically safe mass flow and pressure instruments deliver:

  • Protection from drifting measurements
  • More insight into the process through a greater range of sensors and data
  • Higher precision, more adaptable pressure and/or flow control
  • Fewer components in the system
  • Validated analysis results

What is ‘intrinsically safe’?

Alicat IS‑Max mass flow & IS‑Pro pressure instruments are intrinsically safe… But what does that mean and how do you know if you need it?

Intrinsically safe is a protection concept for hazardous zones. In short, an intrinsically safe device is one that does not produce enough heat or power current to cause combustion when surrounded by flammable gas or vapor.

Whether you are working in an area where hazardous gases are continuously present (class I div 1), or only during abnormal circumstances (class I div 2), it’s recommended, if not explicitly required, to use equipment that is intrinsically safe.

Graphic depicting a hazardous location that requires intrinsically safe instrumentation

Supported applications

By working closely with our customers, Alicat has fostered a collaborative environment to help build custom solutions for critical processes, here are a few of the industries.

Gas chromatography & analysis labs

GC users and manufacturers alike look to Alicat IS devices for backpressure regulation and precise delivery of carrier gases, resulting in near perfect gaussian peaks, less peak splitting, and dramatically clearer data.

Benefits of IS‑Max and IS‑Pro for chemical analysis

  • Data logging for easier troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • No manual adjustment due to operating conditions
  • Digital communication allowing devices to be read (or controlled) from outside the hazardous zone
Gas chromatography system in a laboratory environment

Hydrogen electrolysis and fuel cell test stands

Get reliable data without compromising on safety in your electrolysis or fuel cell testing. IS‑Max brings multivariate control and relative humidity sensing to PEM and fuel cell test stands, delivering data and control with fewer instruments.

Benefits of IS‑Max and IS‑Pro for hydrogen

  • Dew point sensing to control condensation
  • Scripting power to quickly change test parameters
  • Flow visualization and data-logging tools easily integrate with lab software
Hydrogen fuel illustration

Chemical analysis and environmental monitoring for oil & gas

Streamline CEMS and sample conditioning systems while minimizing safety risks in class I division 1. Consolidate on-line sampling by controlling backpressure while measuring mass flow, temperature, and more. Meters and controllers are intrinsically safe, eliminating the need for purge gases or ex-proof enclosures.

Benefits of IS‑Max and IS‑Pro for analyzers & environmental

  • IP66 ingress protection appropriate for analyzer shelters, environmental monitoring, or shaded outdoor areas
  • Valve usage data for improved preventive maintenance cycling
  • Scripting and remote control/data collection capabilities
Image of a computer on a desk with a view of a facility in need of environmental monitroing

Why choose Alicat IS-Max mass flow controller for your gas flow?

Ours
Theirs
Flow measurement?
Yes
Yes
Differential pressure measurement technology?
Yes
Yes
Integrated control valve?
Yes
X No
Humidity compensation option?
Yes
X No
Full control display?
Yes
X No
Certified safe in North America, Europe, and globally?
Yes
X No

Ask an engineer

Your flow rate, pressure, and choice of gas can all affect which Alicat instruments work for your application.

Our Applications Engineers can answer your questions and help you find the best option.

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