Configurations for HMIs in Risky Situations

The steady advancement in sensory and control technology has allowed engineers to accumulate and display more information than necessary on human-machine-interfaces. For years, designers have used indicator lamps to alert operators and color-coded LEDs to indicate the status of vital assets.

When it comes to day-to-day operations, operators seldom use all the information displayed on the HMI and mostly use 1–2 status screens to monitor major parameters. Also, usually the HMI is placed within a secure location or room, away from hazards, sparking minimal safety concerns. The scenario, however, changes if the HMI along with the array of supporting electrical equipment needs to be placed in a hazardous location.