iConEx XY200 Series Explosion Proof Industrial LED Touch Display

Overview

The iConEx XY200 Series is a rugged line of explosion-proof LED displays engineered exclusively for high-visibility character and information output in Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, and Zone 22 hazardous locations. Unlike full-featured HMI touchscreens (e.g., the XY800/900 Series), these units specialize in delivering clear, customizable text for critical safety alerts, operational status updates, and process parameter readings.

They connect directly to PLCs, PCs, or field instruments via serial communication (RS-485) or analog signals (4-20mA)—eliminating the need for complex intermediaries—and serve as a vital "information bridge" in oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, and mining industries where flammable gases or dusts are present.

Core Design Philosophy: Simplicity & Reliability for Critical Messaging

The XY200 Series is designed around three pillars: unambiguous information delivery, mechanical durability, and seamless integration with existing systems. Unlike HMIs focused on control and visualization, its sole purpose is to ensure operators receive critical data—even in hostile conditions.

Certified to Ex d IIB T4 Gb (gases) and Ex tD A21 IP66 T80°C (dust), it uses high-brightness LEDs encased in a rugged enclosure to maintain message integrity amid explosions risks, extreme temperatures, moisture, and dust accumulation. The emphasis on simplicity (no touch interfaces or complex computing cores) minimizes failure points, prioritizing continuous functionality.

Product Features & Characteristics

High-Visibility LED Technology: Delivers clear readability indoors, outdoors, and under direct sunlight. Viewing distances range from 10 meters to over 200 meters, depending on character height and model—critical for large industrial sites.

Broad Hazardous Area Certification: Dual certification for Zone 1/2 (gaseous environments) and Zone 21/22 (dusty environments) enables deployment across diverse high-risk settings.

Direct System & Sensor Integration: Supports Modbus RTU (and custom protocols) for seamless connection to PLCs/control systems. Uniquely, it connects directly to pulse/analog field instruments (e.g., scales, pressure sensors) to display values like weight or temperature—no intermediate controller required.

Flexible Font & Configuration Options: Pre-loaded with simplified Chinese, English, and numeric fonts. Available in single-line, dual-line, or multi-line (up to 4 rows) layouts, with monochrome (red/yellow), dual-color, or full-color LED variants. Industry-specific customizations (e.g., built-in oil product names, license plate province abbreviations) are also offered.

Extreme Temperature Resilience: Wide-temperature models operate reliably down to -40°C, making them suitable for unheated facilities, outdoor installations, or cold-region mining operations.

Key Specifications

Parameter/Category

Specification Details

Model Series    iConEx XY200 (e.g., XY202A, XY203B, XY205C)    

Display Type    LED Character Display (Monochrome/Dual-color/Full-color)    

Typical Configurations    Single-line, Dual-line, Multi-line (up to 4 lines)    

Character Capacity    4 Hanzi/8 ASCII chars (small models) to 16 Hanzi/32 ASCII chars (large models)    

Character Height    76mm, 96mm, 122mm, 155mm, 256mm, 320mm, 400mm (Model dependent)    

Viewing Distance    10~20m to 150~200m (Model dependent)    

Communication Interfaces    RS-485 (standard); RJ45 Ethernet (optional on select models)    

Communication Protocols    Modbus RTU, Custom ASCII protocols; TCP/IP (with Ethernet option)    

Analog Input    4-20mA (direct connection to field instruments)    

Input Power    AC 220V ±10% or DC 24V ±10% (Model dependent)    

Power Consumption    < 500 W/m²    

Protection Rating    IP66 (Enclosure)    

Explosion Proof Cert.    Gas: Ex d IIB T4 Gb (or T6); Dust: Ex tD A21 IP66 T80°C    

Hazardous Area Applicability    Zone 1/2 (Gases), Zone 21/22 (Dust)    

Operating Temperature    Standard: –20°C ~ +60°C; Wide-Temp: –40°C ~ +60°C/70°C    

Storage Temperature    –40°C ~ +80°C    

Installation    Wall-mounting, Pedestal mounting    

Applications

The XY200 Series excels in information-centric roles where clear, long-distance messaging is critical—distinct from the control/monitoring functions of HMIs:

Oil & Gas Facilities: Displaying safety warnings, pump/valve status, tank levels, and pipeline pressures across drilling platforms or refineries.

Chemical & Pharmaceutical Plants: Showing real-time process parameters (temperature, pressure) and reactor status in production zones.

Mining Operations: Indicating conveyor alerts, equipment health, and safety notices in coal mines or dust-prone processing areas.

Weighing Systems: Integrating with scales/load cells for in-motion or tank weighing, displaying weight values (e.g., XY205 for 30–50m visibility).

Loading/Unloading Terminals: Showing product names (pre-loaded oil/chemical lists), license plate numbers (with province abbreviations), and operational instructions at truck/railcar stations.

Product Advantages

The XY200 Series’ greatest strength is its specialized focus on critical messaging—avoiding the complexity (and cost) of full HMI touchscreens while delivering unmatched reliability for its purpose:

Direct Integration: Connects straight to PLCs and field instruments (via 4-20mA), eliminating extra hardware and simplifying setup.

Long-Distance Visibility: LED technology ensures readability across large industrial sites, a capability not prioritized in smaller HMIs.

Cost-Effective Specialization: Offers targeted functionality for messaging needs, avoiding the premium associated with control-focused explosion-proof equipment.

Environmental Toughness: Wide temperature ranges and IP66 protection guarantee performance in unconditioned or exposed locations where standard displays fail.

FAQs

1. What are the main differences between an explosion-proof LED display like the XY200 and a standard industrial HMI?

The core distinction lies in core function and user interaction:

XY200 Series (Explosion-Proof LED Display): Specializes in one-way, long-distance information dissemination. It is designed to display text, numerical values (e.g., temperature, pressure), safety warnings, or status updates with high visibility—critical for multiple operators to read simultaneously from 10m to 200m away. It typically has no touch interface and requires only simple configuration (no complex user input).

Standard Industrial HMI: Serves as an interactive input/output device. Equipped with a graphical touchscreen, it renders complex schematics, alarm lists, and control animations. Its key value is enabling operator interaction: setting parameters, acknowledging alarms, starting/stopping equipment, and navigating multi-screen data. While some HMIs are explosion-proof, they prioritize control and visualization over focused, long-range messaging.

2. Can the XY200 display real-time data from sensors without a PLC?

Yes—this is a key differentiator of the XY200 Series. It can interface directly with field instruments, eliminating the need for a PLC as an intermediary:

Analog Signal Support: Accepts standard 4-20mA signals from sensors (e.g., load cells for weight, pressure/temperature transducers). The display can be configured to convert the mA signal into engineering units (kg, kPa, °C) and show real-time values.

Pulse-Output Compatibility: Some models support connections to pulse-output devices like flow meters or encoders.

This capability simplifies system architecture, reduces costs (no extra controller/signal conditioner), and minimizes failure points—making it ideal for standalone applications like tank level monitoring or simple weighing systems.

3. What does the 'T4' or 'T6' temperature class mean in the Ex d IIB T4 Gb certification?

The 'T4'/'T6' designation refers to the maximum surface temperature of the equipment during operation, a critical factor in preventing ignition of flammable atmospheres. It is determined by the highest surface temperature under extreme (but specified) operating conditions.

Temperature classes are defined as follows:

Temperature Class

Maximum Surface Temperature

T6    ≤ 85°C    

T5    ≤ 100°C    

T4    ≤ 135°C    

A T6 rating is safer for volatile environments (cooler operation) than T4, as it avoids igniting substances with low auto-ignition temperatures. The XY200 Series offers T4 or T6 models to match the ignition temperature of gases/dusts in the target hazardous area—T6 is mandatory for more flammable atmospheres.