​Firing System Development ​​D​own​load as PDF

Caution:While EBW and EFI Initiators are inherently less susceptible to accidental detonation during handling and set-up than devices containing primary explosives, electrical and electronic firing systems are sensitive to transient electrical energies which could cause premature triggering or firing. The blasting area must be clear of personnel and equipment before the detonator leads are connected to any RISI Firing System. Only approved RISI Firing Systems should ever be used to initiate or detonate any explosive product manufactured and authorized for sale by RISI.

​FS-80 ​

P/N 188-7507​ - D​ownload as PDF​​

​​​​The FS-80 EBW Firing Circuit, p/n 188-7507, is designed for activating EBW detonators when safety is paramount. There are 3 independent arm signal requirements. The circuit is fast charging and triggered from an external provided 5-volt signal.
Input Energy External 12-24 volts Output Energy 800 volts through a 1 uF capacitor​ Circuit​ 3 independent external arm signal requirement- 5 volt RED LED lights after ARM 1 and ARM 2 are active Triggered- 5 volt external signal required Fast Charge Time- 50-75 ms Dual Bleed Resistors 6-pin Molex connector interface	Module to Detonator Connection 24 AWG Flying Leads- 4 inches Solder or twisted Maximum leadwire length including EBW- 10 inches Dimensions 2 inches X 2 inches X 0.75 inches Weight without Detonator: 50 grams WARNING Dry firing without firing cable can damage the unit  Max shot-to-shot firing rate- 5 min. Min  Do not fire into a dead short​

Caution: While EBW and EFI Initiators are inherently less susceptible to accidental detonation during handling and set-up than devices containing primary explosives, electrical and electronic firing systems are sensitive to transient electrical energies which could cause premature triggering or firing. The blasting area must be clear of personnel and equipment before the detonator leads are connected to any RISI Firing System. Only approved RISI Firing Systems should ever be used to initiate or detonate any explosive product manufactured and authorized for sale by RISI.​ ​

​FS-17 Firing System​

​FS-500 Economy Firing System​ ​D​o​wnload as PDF​

Design and Specifications

Input Energy Qty 3, 9 volt Batteries Estimated 250 firings per battery life          Output Energy 2000 volt pulse with 1500 amperes peak current into low resistance load. (0.75 joules. Circuit Power Multiplier with high voltage energy. Overvoltage gap Redundant bleed resistors for safety Firing module has a micro controller that requires communication from control unit for activation.  Module Five-way binding post input terminals matched to control unit Five-way binding post output terminals External Dimensions: 8" X 3" X 1.25"

Control Unit Generates 200 Volts DC Dual Push Button Activation Battery Check Light Continuity Check Light Five-way binding post output terminals External dimensions: 6.5” x 4.5” x 2” Control Unit to Module Connection Maximum 10,000 feet of 20 gauge wire Module to Detonator Connection Maximum 25 feet twin lead blasting wire, P/N 167- 8559 or 75 feet maximum Type ‘C’ coaxial cable, P/N 167-2669 WARNING Dry firing without firing cable can damage the unit Max shot to shot firing rate- 5 min. Min

​​​FS-43 Firing System

D​ow​nload as PDF

DESCRIPTION FS-43 Operation Discussion
The purpose of the FS-43 Control Unit is to provide low voltage electrical energy to the Firing Module and to ensure a safe and reliable operation sequence for the firing of EBW detonators.

The output from the Control Unit to the Firing Module is 40 to 120 volts. This output occurs when the “Arm” switch is held in the “Arm” position and the shorting plug is mated into the Control Unit “Safety Interlock” connection. When the system is armed, the “Firing Volts” meter will read the high voltage from the Firing Module. The “Line Adjust” knob is then used to adjust the firing voltage to 4000 volts before firing is initiated. When the “Fire” button is pressed or an external pulse is applied to the “Accessary” connection, detonation will typically occur within 10 microseconds (10x10 -6). Should the operator wish to abort firing while arming is taking place, simply release the “Arm” switch.

The purpose of the FS-43 Firing Module is to provide a significant amount of flexibility to this EBW detonator firing system. Since the firing pulse to function the EBW detonator must be applied at the proper rate of rise, or frequency, the firing module must be placed relatively close to the detonator. By being able to separate the Firing Module from the control unit, the operator can perform the detonation at extended distances as required by the size and characteristics of the main explosive charge.

The input charge to the Firing Module must be between 32 and 40 volts. This low voltage input is applied to the input connector which charges a one microfarad capacitor. When this capacitor reaches 4000 volts, the Firing Module is ready to be fired. Triggering of the triggered spark gap occurs by applying a 30 volt pulse to the input connector. This discharges the one microfarad capacitor into the yellow terminals which, if properly connected, will fire the EBW detonator. Detonation will occur in less than 10 microseconds from the time that the 30 volt pulse is applied.

By mating the shorting plug to the “Discharge” connector, the energy storage capacitor is completely and immediately discharged thus precluding inadvertent arming of the firing module and detonation of the EBW detonator.

​​Introducing the PX-1 Expendable Fireset

​

Improved perforating safety should be offered as: (a) an expensive option. (b) a standard item. The need for radio silence during explosives operations is: (a) very costly to eliminate. (b) a thing of the past. During perforating jobs, electric welding and helicopter flights should be: (a) suspended. (b) continued as normal.

​​​​​ 
Typical PX-1 output pulse

PX-1 = Pulse eXpendable1 EBW = Exploding Bridge Wire EFI = Exploding Foil Initiator​​

---

​Of Course, you'd like to complete all the above statements with option (b), and now you can. Designed and certified to be immune to the stray voltages and RF environment typically found on well sites and offshore platforms, the PX-1 from Ecosse is a low-cost, high performance EBW/EFI fireset that allows normal oilfield operations to continue while perforating and other completion services are being performed.

 

Radios stay on; communication links are unbroken; helicopter flights continue; construction work is uninterrupted; production is unaffected; the use of sensitive primary explosives is avoided. All of these advantages are available with the PX-1 fireset from Ecosse.

Designed primarily for oilfield applications, the PX-1 generates the high-current pulse needed to initiate EBW and EFI detonators. With features that complement the safety characteristics of these detonators. compact dimensions that allow it to be used in gun systems down to 1-3/8in OD, a low cost that allows it to be discarded after one use, and a temperature rating greater than any other system on the market, the PX-1 is a flexible and affordable tool that will immediately improve your bottom line.​

---

---

​​

​​ What are EBW and EFI Detonators? EBW and EFI detonators were originally developed for use in military applications. They need a very fast rising, high-current pulse for successful initiation, such as the output provided by the Ecosse PX-1. Unlike conventional hot-wire and hot-resistor detonators normally used in oilfield perforating operations, EBW and EFI detonators do not contain sensitive primary explosives such as lead azide. Why use EBW/EFI? The greatest advantage of EBW and EFI detonators for oilfield use is the fact that they are extremely insensitive to accidental initiation. They are effectively immune to the Radio Frequency (RF) sources and stray voltages found on well sites and offshore platforms, which means radio transmitter, electric welding and cathodic protection equipment need not be turned off during perforating and other wireline explosives operations.

​Which type to use? EBWs are generally easier to initiate than EFIs, which makes them more tolerant of imperfect wiring methods and allows them to be fired over relatively long lengths of wire. EBWs are also less expensive than EFls, typically costing about the same as conventional hot-wire detonators. Oilfield EBWs are available using RDX and CP explosives, giving them useful temperature ratings of 163°C (325°F) and 204ºC (400ºF) respectively. EFls are more difficult to initiate than EBWs, and they are typically 2-4 times more expensive. However, they use high-temperature explosives such as HNS, which means they can be used at higher temperatures than EBWs. More Information Contact Ecosse for a copy of the certification report, or to learn more about the PX-1. For information on EBW and EFI detonators, contact RISI.​

---

​

​ Specifications

Safety features (tested immune to) negative DC: -600VDC positive DC: +150VDC AC: 40Hz - 20kHz 600VAC 32kHz - 2MHz l00VAC RF interference: 56kHz - 500MHz 50V/m 500MHz- lGHz l00V/m lGHz- 1 8GHz 300V/m Electrostatic discharge: 25kV 500pF 5kohm 30kV 400pF 250ohm Lightning strike: nearby 20kA l00m direct strike 70kA / 280A

Size (LxWxH): 5in x 0.82in x 0.74in (<1.06in dia) Weight: 75gm Temperature: -25°C to +225°C /2 hrs Input: 200-230VDC ~ 160-260mA Output: 5000V / >2000A / <250ns Will fire EBWs through 10ft of twisted-pair wire, EFIs through 6in of twisted-pair wire Rated lifespan: 1 x 1-sec test-fire into 100ohm load, 1 x ffill discharge into detonator NOTES: All safety features were tested and certified at Sandia National Laboratories by Orion International Technologies Inc. All tests were done at ambient temperature, and all tests (apart from the lightning strikes) were repeated at 93°C - 121°C.​

---

To purchase PX-1 firesets or obtain a copy of the certification report, contact Spartek Systems at:

 

Spartek Systems

#1 Thevenaz Industrial Trail Sylvan Lake,
Alberta Canada,T4S 2J6

Tel: (403) 887-2443

[email protected] ​​​