While preparing a story on another product’s life cycle status, we became aware of the fact that Rockwell had updated the status of their 1797 Flex Ex line to “end of life.”
The Flex Ex line of distributed I/O is based on the popular Flex I/O product line, but it’s also hazardous area rated in North America for Class I Zones 1 and 2, Groups IIC, IIB, and IIA.
While Rockwell has updated the Flex Ex product line with a discontinued date of 12/31/2016, no word on a replacement Allen-Bradley line of intrinsically safe I/O could be found on their website.
So what do you think? Is Rockwell likely to release a new line of intrinsically safe I/O, and if so when would they announce it?
Or is the market for installing I/O in hazardous locations not large enough to warrant a replacement product?
You can share your thoughts with us by using the “post a comment or question” link below.
Until next time, Peace ✌️
Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator
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I would just like to know what kind of failure rate exists on the 1797 Ex Flex I/O in an effort to plan and purchase replacements for all of our current 1797 ex flex I/o
Good morning Ken,
If you contact your local Rockwell representative they can talk to you about MTBF rates for most any of their products.
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
Join my free community to follow along! You can also become a member and support our work at: Automation.Locals.com
Rockwell now offers the 1719 intrinsically safe remote I/O
Hey Bob,
Yeah, 2015 is a long time ago in tech terms!
Looks like they are also adding a 1718 line?
Shawn