Energy production facilities often operate in risky conditions in the industrial world. From coal mines and petroleum refineries to offshore platforms, these environments demand precision equipment engineered to operate in dangerous environments.
In energy-producing settings, whether oil and gas or renewables, force measurement devices must not only deliver accurate data but do so safely, reliably, and in compliance with stringent global safety standards.
Hazardous energy sector locations are typically classified by their explosive risk level:
- Zone 0 – An explosive gas or dust atmosphere is continuously present.
- Zone 1 – An explosive atmosphere is likely during normal operation.
- Zone 2 – An explosive atmosphere is not likely but may occur during abnormal conditions such as leaks.
Coal mines, refineries, hydrogen facilities, and pump jack operations frequently fall into these classifications, requiring measurement equipment with specialized construction, materials, and electronics.
Beyond explosive risk, these areas are simultaneously challenged by high temperatures, humidity, or water exposure, abrasive dust, vibration, and heavy mechanical loads. Equipment must therefore be ruggedized, sealed, and engineered to operate safely, while still maintaining accuracy.
Use Cases for Interface Solutions in Hazardous Energy Environments
- Pump Equipment
- Extraction Supports and Structures
- Hydraulic Fracturing Equipment
- Downhole Drilling Machines
- Wirelines
- Wet and Dry Well Load Strings
- Cranes and Rigging
- Transportation Vehicles
- Storage Facilities
- Conveyors and Pipelines
- Weighing
- Tool Recovery
- Crush and Strength Testing
- Wireless Monitoring
- Submersible Testing
- Robotics and Inspection Automation Tools
In hazardous energy environments, Interface solutions load cells provide quantifiable benefits in accident prevention, structural protection, operational efficiency, and compliance. Interface solutions are used in real-time load monitoring to prevent overloading, equipment failure, and collapse. Force readings support optimized drilling, pumping, lifting, and material handling.
Interface’s Hazardous Locations Solutions
Interface has long supported the energy sector with Hazardous Locations sensors that meet the standards of North America ETL, ATEX, and IECEx. These standards define design requirements for atmospheres, zones, temperatures, and more. To ensure compliance, each Interface Hazardous Locations product undergoes a detailed inspection, is marked with its zone and temperature rating, and is supported by complete manufacturing traceability maintained for at least 10 years.
Interface Hazardous Location Intrinsically Safe Products
- LowProfile Load Cells 3410 and 3416
- Sealed S-Type Load Cells SSMH
- Coil Tubbing Load Cells 3416, 3420, and 3430
- Sealed Column Load Cells 3450
- Stainless Steel Load Cells IPA and ITCA
- Flame-Proof Load Shackles
- Stainless Steel Load Pins
- Stainless Steel Tension Link Load Cells
- Customer and Wireless Load Pins
By integrating Interface’s hazardous environment sensor technologies into their operations, equipment manufacturers can use the data for safety and performance monitoring while maintaining production. We provide standard and custom designs. Contact our application experts for product specifications and pricing.
Advancing Lithium-Ion Battery Test and Measurement
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassInterface supplies load cells, instrumentation, and multi-axis sensors for testing and performance monitoring of lithium-ion batteries. To achieve the goal of improved and longer-lasting Li-ion batteries, accurate force measurement testing is needed to confirm performance, capacity, safety and fatigue. Force testing is done on the battery itself and is used for various stages within the R&D and manufacturing processes.
Vertical Farming for Sustainable Food Production on Earth and Beyond
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassWhile vertical farming is currently being explored as a way to increase food production on Earth, it also has applications in space R&D and for food sustainability projects. Interface’s case study, Vertical Farming on Earth and in Space, explores applications, products and solutions for challenges related to farming on earth and beyond. These solutions utilize load cells, multi-axis sensors, wireless instrumentation and devices for irrigation and growth monitoring systems, robotics, and farming equipment . The case study highlights innovation used in collaboration of industries in agriculture, space, and automation.
Why Mechanical Engineers Choose Interface Solutions
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassMechanical engineers choose Interface force measurement devices to gather data, analyze performance, and ensure the safety and reliability of mechanical systems. Force measurement devices help them to quantify the magnitude and direction of forces acting on objects or structures. They play a crucial role in the design, development, and maintenance of mechanical systems that are integral to modern society and industries.
Electrical Engineers Choose Interface Sensor Technologies
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassInterface is a top provider of force, torque and weighing measurement solutions to electrical engineers around the world. Sensors are a critical tool for electrical engineers in testing and optimizing the performance of electronic devices, systems, and processes. The type of sensor used, and the specific testing application will depend on the needs of the project or product.
Interface Details Hydrogen Electrolyzers Solution in Design News
/in Blog, News and Press /by Jamie GlassIn the new article, Force sensing helps hydrogen electrolyzers efficiently harness energy, Randy White, OEM Business Development Manager at Interface details how products made the the leader in force measurement are used for increasing operational efficiencies in renewable energy production. Published […]
Interface and Green Energy Innovation
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassGreen energy has been part of the energy sector for decades. The demands to rapidly commercialize types of green energy at scale requires significant R&D, testing and production to increase global supply. As the world looks to address climate change, […]
Exploring Interface Capabilities and Differentiators
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassInterface is the largest producer of load cells defined by a particularly important core differentiator. The Interface difference is precision. How do we maintain this standard of excellence? Interface is directed by our foundational 4-pillars for success: quality, service, accuracy, […]
Interface Supports Renewable Energy Innovation
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassInterface is a core test and measurement solutions partner to some of the largest energy production and equipment manufacturers in the world. We continue to provide sensor devices and instrumentation, including custom designed OEM solutions, for a range of energy […]
Demands for Quality Energy Measurement Solutions
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassPowering the world is no simple task, especially as research and innovation into alternative energy sources are at an all time high. Across the energy supply chain there are soaring demands from engineers, scientists, equipment makers and suppliers to provide […]
Interface and Infrastructure Markets Form a Perfect Partnership
/in Blog /by Jamie GlassInfrastructure projects are growing, as investment continues to climb for projects related to rebuilding, renewing and innovating applications in this sector. These global investments come from public and private organizations as demands to address roads, bridges, water supplies, transportation, energy […]