scope:

The aim of this guideline is providing the preconditions for the specification of a standardized stand-alone power source for wireless communication devices in process automation applications, as shown in Figure 1.

This guideline describes the requirements from point of view of process automation including requirements because of the transport and exchange of the power source in explosive environments. Available standards, guidelines, laws and provisions are assembled and analyzed. Further-more, available approaches for a power source are introduced and assessed with respect to the specified requirements.

A (stand-alone) power source, in the context of this guideline, can be a primary or secondary cell (power module type A), a mechanical unit that contains one or more primary or secondary cells (power module type B) or a generic energy harvesting adapter module (GEHAM) as part of power module type C. Harvesters itself as well as possible electrical or data interfaces between power source and harvesters are out of the scope of this guideline. Furthermore, a data interface between the power source and the wireless communication device is not addressed.