EMOSAFE Network Isolators
What is a Network Isolator?
Network isolators are used to protect devices from unwanted external voltages, such as those resulting from differences in ground potentials, and voltages which may accidentally come into contact with the network cabling. Network isolators function by physically creating an electrical separation within copper Ethernet networks. This separation is created by materials with high insulation voltage ratings. Data is transferred across this electrical separation through the principle of electromagnetic induction, where a suitable frequency response range is chosen to transfer data with minimal losses. This means that EMOSAFE Network Isolators do not require an external power supply. There are no drivers that need to be installed, no further modifications to the network configuration need to be made. Inputs and outputs from network isolators are generally interchangeable without compromising performance.
Further Information:
1. Products
2. Applications
2.1 Medical
2.2 Further Applications
3. Technical Requirements
3.1 60601-1
3.2 Protective Measures and Dielectric Strength
3.3 Standards Compliance and Certification
3.4 Quality
3.5 Cable Shielding
3.6 Cable Lenght
1 Products
 | EN-10Housing for wall or appliance installation; dust and waterproof to IP67, plug housings and caps are also available as IP67-rated accessories; data throughput of up to 1Gb/s; insulation voltage rated to 4kV AC; provides 2 MOPP in accordance with DIN EN 60601-1:2006
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 | EN-20Housing for wall mounted applications; mounting accessories included; data throughput of up to 100Mb/s; insulation voltage rated to 4kV AC; provides 2 MOPP in accordance with DIN EN 60601-1:2006
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 | EN-30Robust metal housing with rubber feet; suitable for office use, easily transportable; mounting bracket included; data throughput of up to 1Gb/s; insulation voltage rated to 4kV AC; provides 2 MOPP in accordance with DIN EN 60601-1:2006
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 | EN-50Housing optimized for built-in applications, suitable for OEM; available in several configurations, including EMC options; data throughput of up to 1Gb/s; insulation voltage rated to 4kV AC; provides 2 MOPP in accordance with DIN EN 60601-1:2006
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 | R&M SafelineNetwork isolator suited to wall outlet sockets from Reichle & De-Massari; data throughput of up to 1Gb/s; insulation voltage rated to 4kV AC; provides 2 MOPP in accordance with DIN EN 60601-1:2006
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 | Custom DesignsWe proudly offer specialized designs to suit your particular requirements. Working together with you, we develop the optimum network isolator for your specification, along with all the necessary production tools and moulds, as well as the creation of appropriate documentation and packaging details, and we attend to the required approvals and certifications. Take advantage of our varied experiences in the field of product development!
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Detailed descriptions for all of our available EMOSAFE Network Isolators are found in our Online Shop.
2 Applications
In the medical environment, network isolators serve to protect patients from stray leakage currents. The network connection between a medical device and an Ethernet network (or other non-medical devices, such as office PCs, laptops, etc) is defined within the international standard IEC 60601-1 (3rd edition) for Medical Electrical Equipment as a potential hazard source. The result of voltage differences between the ground potentials of connected network components can create leakage currents, which presents an unacceptable risk to the patient. Such voltage differences may also arise from faulty cable installation, improper termination, or through direct contact between the data cable shields or data lines of a damaged network cable and other energized conductors.
Network isolators can be utilized as accessories for, or as components within a medical device or system. The network isolators themselves, however, are not classified as medical electronic devices by the IEC 60601-1 standard. Nor are they defined as medical products by the Medical Directive 93/42/EEC, as they themselves provide no therapeutic or diagnostic function. They are also not subject to safety inspections, unless this is recommended by the manufacturer.
To achieve the best protection, network isolators should be installed as close to the medical device as possible. They are frequently used in the medical field together with isolation transformers, which protect the patient in a similar manner. These transformers prevent high currents flowing from the power grid in the case of an insulation fault.
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Network isolators are also utilized in many other technical applications, where an electrical isolation is required between connected devices, such as:
• measurement and monitoring devices within an electrical test facility, where an Ethernet connection to a control room is required;
• redundant server systems, which are connected by copper cabling of distances up to 328 feet (100 meters);
• copper-based network connections in private or commercial installations, where unavoidable potential differences within or between buildings jeopardize system safety and stability, and where fiber-optic solutions are not economically viable;
• general use as shield connection filters within Ethernet connections.
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3 Technical Requirements
Stringent requirements arise from the international standard for medical electrical equipment and systems, IEC 60601-1 (3rd edition). These requirements create high demands on the technical design and construction of network isolators. These demands are much higher than those arising from the requirements in the non-medical standard IEC 60950 (Information Technology Equipment), as it is assumed that patients may be unconscious, anesthetized, or otherwise incapacitated, and there is much greater need for patient protection.
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3.2 Protective Measures and Dielectric Strength
Two independent protective measures are required to be present within a medical device or system, before it complies with IEC 60601-1 (3rd edition). This standard defines each of these measures as a single Means of Patient Protection (MOPP). A network isolator can provide one or both MOPPs through its inherent insulation. In the case where a network isolator only provides a single MOPP, a second MOPP must be created for the affected device. The certification of a network isolator will often indicate how many MOPPs are provided. However, this is dependent upon the combination of the actual creepage- and clearance-distances within the isolator, and the dielectric strength (insulation rating) of the isolation materials. Although the dielectric strength requirements for isolators are 1.5kV (AC) for one MOPP, and 4kV (AC) for two, this rating alone does not determine the actual number of realized MOPPs.
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3.3 Standards Compliance and Certification
Compliance with the requirements of applicable standards and guidelines, particularly IEC 60601-1 has been confirmed for EMO Systems GmbH through a CE declaration. As they are approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) as Recognized Component E249126, EMOSAFE Network Isolators are suitable for sale and use in the U.S.A. As part of the UL approval process, our Network Isolators have been tested to IEC 60601-1 (3rd edition).
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The development and manufacturing of our Network Isolators is certified to the International Organization for Standardization process ISO 9001. Prior to delivery, our Network Isolators are subjected to testing to ensure the dielectric strength of each unit.
To guarantee optimal transmission quality, each of our Network Isolators is also assessed in terms of transmission-critical parameters: insertion loss, return loss, and crosstalk.
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The purpose of a network isolator is to prevent any direct electrical connection between the two connected devices. Therefore, in addition to the data lines, the shield cable must also be electrically isolated. Unshielded cables, which are occasionally referred to as alternatives to network isolators, do not meet the requirements of IEC 60601-1, as they do not provide the necessary protection, as the data lines themselves can conduct dangerous voltages.
Because of their inherently passive design, network isolators will slightly degrade the quality of the transmitted signal. These losses are so low in our EMOSAFE Network Isolators, that standard networking cable lengths of up to 295 feet (90 meters) can be used in almost all cases without leading to reductions in data throughput.
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