An intrinsically safe multi-drop communication hub

An intrinsically safe (IS) multi-drop communication hub (IS hub) (40, 70) operable in a hazardous environment, the IS hub comprising:

• a power contact (93) to receive external power therethrough;
• a controller (46) including multiplexing sequence logic (47);
• a multiplexer communicatively connected to the controller and having a power input contact (95);
• an inductor (83) connected in series between the power contact (93) and the power input contact (95) of the multiplexer;
• and
• a communication port (44) to transmit signal data provided by the multiplexer corresponding to signals generated by IS devices connected to the IS hub when the IS hub is in use,
• wherein when executed by the controller the multiplexing sequence logic causes the multiplexer to supply power in a predetermined sequence to a first of the IS devices during a first time interval to generate a signal from the first of the IS devices and, after the first time interval, to a second of the IS devices during a second time interval, which does not overlap in time with the first time interval, to generate a signal from the second of the IS devices.