INTRINSIC SAFETY (IS) BARRIERS MOUNTABLE ON TERMINAL BLOCKS OF INPUT/OUTPUT (I/O) MODULES OR OTHER DEVICES

A system includes a module (104, 202a, 202b) having at least one input/output (I/O) channel. The system also includes a terminal block (206) having terminals configured to provide electrical connections for the at least one I/O channel. The system further includes a barrier assembly (208) having one or more intrinsic safety (IS) barriers (210, 400). Each IS barrier is configured to receive at least one data or power signal, limit an amount of energy in the at least one data or power signal, and output the at least one energy-limited data or power signal. Each IS barrier includes at least one limiter circuit (416) configured to limit the amount of energy in the at least one data or power signal. Each IS barrier is configured to be mounted on the terminal block. Each IS barrier could be configured to provide galvanic isolation between multiple devices or systems coupled to the IS barrier. Each limiter circuit could include a current limiter.