As the preferred supplier and solution provider for Powerfuel, Trolex has been specified to design and manufacture a bespoke directional indicator system for Hatfield coal mine in South Yorkshire, UK, as part of a continual upgrade of mine safety systems. The system comprises track point arrows and fault indication lines using 100 intrinsically safe, long life LED indicator lamps with an ultrasonically sealed front bezel to IP66 for arduous duty and hazardous areas. The LED displays are mounted in a robust, water and dust-proof housing and combined with the Trolex Commander Unit and a dedicated power supply. The systems can be controlled from a central monitoring station. Trolex provided the bespoke solution by housing 30 LED lamps in each of the double arrow signs and 20 in the single arrow signs using a simple and convenient clip-on fixing system to secure the lamps to the panels. The LED indicator lamps have a long life of up to 20,000 hours even when vibration is present and the equipment has ATEX M1 Group 1 and 2 approval. The lamps work on a low current for use with IS circuits and safety barriers and the universal 22.5mm diameter mounting hole matches standard panel indicators.

Commenting on the use of Trolex equipment at Hatfield, Charlie Smith from Powerfuel said, “Innovation lies at the heart of Powerfuel’s business.  We commission Trolex as our systems partner because the company provides the full monitoring and control package, from smart, integrated sensors to uninterruptible power supplies and everything in between.”

As well as the bespoke directional indicator system, Trolex has also recently been specified to supply a complete fan monitoring system to be used in the Hatfield fan house as part of Powerfuel’s commitment to a safety-first industry.  The system uses a wide range of Trolex products, delivering the sensor information back to the Trolex Commander, a group 1 certified product. Vibration sensors, pressure sensors, level sensors and temperature sensors are all used in the system to monitor fan vibration, levels of carbon monoxide, oil level and pressure and temperature of the bearing. Trolex was specified for its specialist knowledge of M1 rated products to deliver a reliable solution, as a number of the products sensors are located in hazardous areas.