Description
The Foxboro 130M-N5 is a pneumatic indicating controller from the renowned 130 Series Consotrol® family, engineered by Foxboro (now part of Schneider Electric) for reliable process control in demanding industrial environments. Utilizing a force-balance mechanism with metal bellows and a nozzle-flapper amplifier, this controller compares a remote pneumatic transmitter signal (3-15 psi) with a manual setpoint and produces a proportional control signal to actuate final control elements. Free of electrical components, the Foxboro 130M-N5 offers inherent intrinsic safety and complete immunity to electromagnetic interference—a critical advantage for legacy chemical, oil/gas, and power generation facilities where electronic devices pose explosion risks.
Application Scenarios
In a refinery boiler control room, the existing electronic PID controller suffered from frequent signal drift due to high electromagnetic fields from nearby switchgear, causing erratic steam drum pressure regulation and threatening safe boiler operation. The facility replaced the electronic unit with the Foxboro 130M-N5, which operates on clean, dry instrument air at 20–22 psi and controls the steam valve actuator directly via a 3-15 psi pneumatic output. The operator sets the desired drum pressure on the large front dial, and the controller’s built-in PID action maintains stable pressure control. The front-panel Auto/Manual transfer switch allows the operator to take manual control during upsets without bumping the process—a critical feature that eliminated pressure spikes and ensured continuous, safe boiler operation. This example illustrates how the 130M-N5 directly addresses the core pain points of electrical noise susceptibility and process upset during operator intervention in hazardous, high-reliability environments.
Parameters
| Main Parameters | Value/Description |
|---|---|
| Product Model | 130M-N5 |
| Manufacturer | Foxboro (Schneider Electric) |
| Product Category | Pneumatic Indicating PID Controller |
| Input Signal (PV) | 3–15 psi (0.2–1.0 bar / 20–100 kPa) |
| Output Signal (OUT) | 3–15 psi (0.2–1.0 bar / 20–100 kPa) |
| Supply Air | 20–22 psi (1.4–1.5 bar) clean, dry instrument air |
| Control Modes | PID (P, PI, PID) – adjustable |
| Proportional Band | 5% to 500% (adjustable) |
| Reset (Integral) Time | 0.01 to 50 min/repeat (adjustable) |
| Accuracy | ±0.5% of span (typical) |
| Air Consumption (Auto) | ~0.5 m³/h (0.3 scfm) at standard conditions |
| Air Consumption (Manual) | ~1.0 m³/h (0.6 scfm) at standard conditions |
| Display | Vertical scale with dual pointers (Green=PV, Red=SP) |
| A/M Transfer | Bumpless via integral balance method |
| Mounting | Panel mount, 101/102 Series shelf (1 unit width) |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 17.8 × 5.1 × 30.5 cm |
| Weight | ~0.5 kg |