ISB+

Intrinsic Safety Box : Serial isolator and power supply for Corus

Installation guide V1.3

 1. Introduction
ISB+ is an ATEX isolation unit for the serial ports RS232/RS485 of devices installed in hazardous areas. The
typical devices for this application in Itron portfolio are: CORUS, SEVC-D, ANGus. It can also provide external
power supply for one device in hazardous area. RS232 communication can be converted to RS485 (half duplex)
through the ISB+ and vice-versa.

The ISB+ replaces the previous ISB.

The enclosure of the ISB+ is suitable for DIN Rail mounting and provides an IP20 protection rate.
ISB+ can be powered by any commercial external power module within 9-24V range (8W).

2. Technical characteristics

• Input voltage: 9-24V DC typical (27.5V DC max.)

• Power consumption: 8W max.
• Output: 8V DC / 100mA for material with compatible electrical parameters according ATEX
certificate
• Input fuse AC: 800mA T 4000A
• Output fuse DC: 250mA T
• Ambient temperature range: -20°C to +55°C
• Protection level: IP 20 enclosure
• Serial ports for connections to the hazardous area: RS232 or RS485 (2 wires half duplex), speed 1200-
38400bauds, power supply for the serial port of the material in hazardous area
• Serial ports for connections to the safe area: RS232 or RS485 (2 wires half duplex), speed 1200-
38400bauds
• Conversion from RS232 to RS485 possible from each side (hazardous and safe area) with automatic
turn-around (same speed).

3. Description
ISB+ can be used to isolate the RS232 and RS485 ports of devices located in hazardous area and to transmit
data to the safe area to device without approval for intrinsic safety through an RS232 or an RS485 port.

Only one of the ports (RS232 or RS485) can be used on each side, meaning that only the RS232 or the RS485
port can be connected on the ISB+ on hazardous area side and the same for safe area side. It’s possible to
transform signals from RS232 to RS485 and vice-versa.
The RS485 port (on each side) is a two wires port with automatic turn-around management.

On hazardous area side it’s possible to connect several devices on the RS485 port at the same time, but only if
the compatibility of electrical parameters remain within the range specified in the ATEX approval of the ISB+.
The linear C and L of the cable must be integrated in the calculation for the ATEX compatibility.

The power supply output of the ISB+ can be used for any material (only one device can be powered from the
output of the ISB+) in hazardous area only if its electrical and functional parameters are compatible with the
parameters on the ATEX certificate of the ISB+.

A green LED indicates the presence of voltage on the power input of the ISB+ and two red LEDs are indicate the
activity on Rx and Tx signals of the communication ports.

The enclosure of the ISB+ can be mounted on DIN rail and must be protected from water projections.
 4. General system overview and connections

The typical application of the ISB+ is for connecting the Corus RS232 port to material in safe area (computer,
RTU, etc..).

Typical configuration with a Corus (power supply and RS232 connection) in hazardous area

Power supply

Power supply
9-24V DC RS232

RS232 PC

Computer RS232 port

Hazardous area
Safe area
 Electrical connections ISB+/Corus
RS232 link

Corus J6 connector ISB+

Hazardous area bottom connector
Pin number Signal Signal
1 Tx Tx
2 Rx Rx
3 DTR
5 GND 0V (under Rx signal connector)
4 Supply + +

RS485 link

Corus optional RS485 board ISB+

port A (J1-J2) or B (J3-J4) Hazardous area bottom connector
Pin number Signal Signal
1 A A
2 B B
3 0V 0 V (under B signal connector)
4 + +

External power for Corus (only for Corus)

Corus J5 connector ISB+

Hazardous area top connector
Pin number Signal Signal
10 GND 0V
9 Supply + +

Electrical connections ISB+/SEVC-D

RS232 link

SEVC-D ISB+ Cable color

Binder connector Hazardous area bottom connector
Pin number Signal Signal
1 Tx Rx Brown
2 GND 0V (under Rx signal connector) Black
3 Rx Tx Yellow
4
5 Supply + + Blue
6
 Electrical connections ISB+/ANGus
RS485 link

ANGus RS485 ports ISB+

port A (J14) or B (J15) Hazardous area bottom connector
Pin number Signal Signal
3 Shield 0 V (under B signal connector)
4 A+ A
5 B- B
Typical configuration with several devices connected on the RS485 port in hazardous area

Carte RS485
RS485 board

ISB+

Carte RS485
RS485 board
RTU

Carte RS485
RS485 board

Safe area Hazardous area

Electrical connections ISB+/computer or RTU (DB9 connector)

PC or RTU ISB+
DB9 connector Safe area bottom connector
Pin number Signal Signal
2 Rx Tx
3 Tx Rx
5 GND 0V

Electrical connections ISB+/external power supply module

External power supply module

TCL24-112 TRACO POWER ISB+
DC Connector Safe area bottom connector
Signal Signal
+ 9-24V
- 0V
 5. Commissioning

Inputs/Output cabling

The cabling of the ISB+ is indicated on its enclosure.

Cables must be mechanically fixed so that there is no risk of short circuit between cables going to safe area and
cables going to hazardous area. A minimal distance of 50mm must be respected between those cables.

Hazardous area
top connector

Safe area Hazardous area

bottom connector bottom connector

Installation

The ISB+ must be installed in safe area into a cabinet, providing sufficient protection from climatic conditions,
including water and dust (IP65 minimal rate) presence. The cabinet should also protect the ISB+ from direct
sunlight.

For a correct mounting the ISB+ must be mounted on a DIN Rail.

ISB+ powering

The ISB+ accepts any commercial power supply providing 9 to 24V DC regulated voltage with a minimal power
of 8W. Our suggestion for the supply module is the TRACO POWER TCL24-112 which can also be mounted on a
DIN Rail next to the ISB+.

The powering input of the ISB+ can be also connected to a rechargeable battery back with a solar panel and
charger. In this configuration the ISB+ can be proposed as a solar power supply unit for the Corus. For more
information about this feature you can contact your local Itron representative.
ISB+ speed/switch configuration

The ISB+ has two internal switches for speed configuration and for RS485 chip. In usual conditions, the
position of the switches does not need to be modified.

To access switches, box must be opened with a flat screwdriver. The user must insert the screw driver under
the four connection plots and lever one by one the plots to remove rear part of the box (see picture 1). After
removing the rear part, use the screw driver to gently pull the printed board out of the enclosure. For this
operation, the screw driver must only be used in the “corner” regions bearing the connectors (as indicated in
picture 2). The use of a tool elsewhere than in the corner regions may be harmful to the product. A flat cable
connects the printed board to the 3 LEDs and therefore the printed board can’t be completely separated from
upper part of the box.

Picture1 Picture2

The two switches noted 1 and 2 are then accessible near the flat cable.

ON

1 2

The configuration of the two switches is the following:

Switch 1: Default configuration: Off (Bi-directional RS485 port)

Put to “On” position only for speeds higher than 19200 bauds, but in this case the ISB+ is
expecting the first frame to arrive from safe area side (Master/Slave mode).

Switch 2: Default configuration: Off (Communication Speed ≥9600 bauds)

Put to “On” position only for communication speed ≤4800 bauds.
Appendix 1:

ISB+: Safety Information

General

The ISB+ Intrinsic safety interface for RS232/RS485 is approved according to 2014/34/EU directive (ATEX)
relative to introduction of material in explosive atmosphere area.
Then, 'CE' marking of the ISB+ now features the conformity with the following directives:
• 2014/34/EU (ATEX)
• 2004/108/EC (EMC)

Marking relative to ATEX - Zone

The ISB+ is approved as associated equipment. Then, it has to be placed in safe area and can be connected
directly to an equipment of category 1, with compatible electric characteristics.

The corresponding marking is: 0123 II(1)G [Ex ia Ga] IIC LCIE 07 ATEX 6083X

The operating temperature range is: -25°C ; +55°C

Specific Instructions

► To avoid erroneous operations, it is recommended to read the whole operating manual before
putting the ISB+ into operation.

► The ISB+ is suitable for being interfaced with devices placed in hazardous areas with 'IIC'
classification gas (all natural gas, ethylene…).

► The connection of the ISB+ to any other instrument or device must be done in accordance to the
electrical parameter indicated in the ATEX certificate.

► The linear L and linear C of the cables used to make the connections between the ISB+ and the
material in hazardous area must be included in the calculation of the electrical parameter’s
compatibility, according ATEX rules.

► The ISB+ must be placed into a cabinet with minimal IP65 protection rate to prevent that climatic
conditions affect the isolation between safe area and hazardous area connections of the ISB+ and
to avoid water intrusion inside of the ISB+.

► It has to be noted that the directive 1999/92/EC ("Installation / Users") has also to be respected
for the commissioning of the device.

► When ISB+ is used in the external power supply mode, the supply can be provided through any
standard module as this connection is performed in safe area ;

► It’s strictly forbidden to change the internal fuse of the ISB+ for another type of fuse.

► To avoid any damage, the following operations are recommended to limit the risk of electrostatic
discharges on the enclosure of the ISB+ :
- the person carrying out the installation can discharge himself/herself by touching the
potential equalisation line
• This product is manufactured at the following address:
Itron GmbH
Hardeckstrasse 2
76185 Karlsruhe
Germany

• Itron Gmbh plant is accredited by notified body TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH to
manufacture ATEX products for following mode: Intrinsic Safety (i)
Appendix 2 :
ATEX approval certificate

See document in bundle B200566

Appendix 3 :
EC declaration

See document D2026841