Junction Box Requirements for Foundation Fieldbus

There are following requirements.

All trunk and spur connections in the field junction
boxes, including pass through trunk pairs without spurs,
shall be terminated on wiring-blocks specifically made for
FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus networks.
Each FF field junction box shall be sized according to the
number of segment trunk cables and devices that are
connected through it. The maximum JB size allowable
including installed spares shall provide termination blocks
for the connection of three segments with 12 spurs on each.
There shall be 20% installed spare device capacity in each
Junction Box i.e. sufficient free connection points in the
termination blocks to meet this requirement.
The ‘wiring block’ shall meet the following
requirements:
◾ Two (2) dedicated connections for the fieldbus
homerun/trunk cable.
◾ Trunk connections shall be non-sparking (no arcing) i.e.,
Ex nA.
◾ Integral short circuit protector for spur connections,
maximum current to spur shall be no more than 60 mA.
◾ Spur connections shall be rated nonincendive (energy
limited), i.e., Ex nL and shall have ‘live disconnect’
capability (including junction boxes).
◾ Pluggable (removable) ‘trunk’ and ‘spur’ connectors
with retaining screws.
◾ LED indicator for each spur connection indicating when
a spur is shorted and is in overcurrent mode.
◾ LED to indicate when bus power is available.
◾ Segment wiring block shall be CENELEC (ATEX) Ex nA[L];
Class 1, Zone 2, Gas Group IIC.
◾ Wire capacity: 12-24 AWG.
◾ Temperature range -45 to 70 deg C.
◾ DIN rail mounting.
◾ Available in four (4) spur and eight (8) spur
configuration.
◾ A warning label must be prominently affixed on the
junction box door (inside) stating the following: (red
lettering with white background) “WARNING: Explosion
Hazard – Do not connect or disconnect the ‘trunk
connections’ on the wiring-block unless power has been
switched off or the area is known to be non-hazardous.”
◾ An information label must be prominently affixed on the
junction box door (inside) stating the following: (black
lettering with white background) “The spur connections
may be connected or disconnected while the circuit is
live, i.e., you may connect or disconnect the spur on
the wiring-block or at the device without sniffing the
area for combustible gasses.”
◾ The wiring-blocks shall be mounted vertically in the field
junction box.
◾ The DIN rail(s) in the junction box shall be designed with
enough spare length to allow the future addition of one
8-spur or larger wiring-block.
◾ Junction Boxes shall contain only FF signal wiring.
◾ The junction box shall be a single door IP65 box.

The box construction shall meet the following requirements:

1. Type 304 or 316 stainless steel body, door and
hardware.
2. Continuously welded seams, finished smooth.
3. Stainless steel hinge with removable pin.
4. Stainless steel captive clamps.
5. Data/Print pocket on inside of door.
6. External mounting brackets.
7. Collar studs for mounting inside panel.
8. Ground stud for terminating A/C safety ground wire.
9. Painted steel panel (back-pan); in ‘severe corrosive
environments’ a stainless-steel panel shall be used.
10. All field junction boxes shall be mounted vertically, i.e.,
the door shall open from left-to-right or from right-toleft.
11. Junction boxes having an internal volume exceeding
2,000 cm³ shall be provided with Type 304 or 316
stainless steel breather and drain fittings, or a
combination breather and drain fitting.