Intrinsically safe communication and control system for use in hazardous locations including satalite box and console with monitor and backlit each is intrinsically safe

A data acquisition system for use in a region that includes a hazardous area, said system comprising:

• a master CPU box located outside the hazardous area for distributing power throughout said system;
• plurality of intrinsically safe sensing devices located within the hazardous area for sensing predetermined parameters;
• an intrinsically safe satellite box located within the hazardous area for transmitting power to said sensing devices and for collecting data sensed by said sensing devices, said satellite box including:
• an onboard CPU;
• and
• a means for transmitting data collected from said sensing devices and processed by said onboard CPU to said master CPU box on a single channel;
• an intrinsically safe console located within the hazardous area for communicating with said master CPU box, said console including:
• a monitor for displaying data, said monitor including a video display screen and a light source for illuminating said screen;
• an internal CPU;
• and
• a data entry device;
• and
• a barrier box located outside the hazardous area for receiving power from the master CPU box and redistributing the power to said satellite box and said intrinsically safe console.