With the X20c series, B&R is setting new standards for protection against harsh environmental conditions. These variants of the modular X20 distributed controller and I/O product line are protected against condensation and corrosive gases by a coating on the electronics module. These modules are even suitable for use in adverse atmospheric conditions.
The coating on the electronics module protects the components and circuit board from the effects of condensation and corrosive gases. The effectiveness of protection against condensation is checked using the test specified in BMW GS 95011-4, and protection against corrosive gases using the 4-part corrosive gas tests specified in EN 60068-2-60, test method 4. The tests are completed both in the company testing lab, which is accredited in accordance with EN ISO/IEC 17025:2007, and at certified external testing facilities. There, the products undergo further testing to check their durability – even beyond standard requirements.
The X20 family with coated circuit boards is completely compatible with existing X20 models with respect to functionality. Using a unique module ID, the application software can differentiate these devices from standard models. With the introduction of this line, B&R has proven for the third time in rapid succession – after the general expansion of the operating temperature range to -25 to +60°C and certification for maritime applications from Germanischer Lloyd (GL) – that they are dedicated to increasing their customers' return on investment by increasing the service life of the X20 system regardless of environmental conditions.