Technical Specifications
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | 130M-N5 |
| Manufacturer | Foxboro (USA; current parent: Schneider Electric / AVEVA) |
| Product Type | Pneumatic Indicating PID Controller |
| Series | Foxboro Consotrol 130M Series (manual setpoint adjustment) |
| Model Suffix Meaning | N = Narrow proportional band (5–500% PB); 5 = PID full action, direct-acting |
| 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 (Proportional + Integral + Derivative) |
| Proportional Band (P) | Adjustable, 5% to 500% |
| Reset Time (I) | Adjustable, 0.01 to 50 min/repeat |
| Rate Time (D) | Adjustable, 0.01 to 50 min |
| Accuracy | ±0.5% of span (typical) |
| Display | Vertical scale with two pointers (Green = PV, Red = SP) |
| A/M Switching | Bumpless transfer between Auto and Manual |
| Mounting | Panel mount in 101/102 series rack (1 unit high) |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +60°C (standard industrial) |
| Air Consumption | ~0.5 m³/h (Auto), ~1.0 m³/h (Manual) |
| Pneumatic Connections | Standard 1/4-inch NPT tubing infrastructure |
| Action Reversal | 90° rotation of reversing switch |
| Lifecycle Status | Discontinued (EOL); available as new-surplus / refurbished |
Main Features and Advantages
Pure pneumatic force-balance computing:The defining advantage of the Foxboro 130M-N5 is its absolute independence from electrical power. At its core, the controller uses a force-balance system with metal bellows and a nozzle-flapper amplifier to perform the mathematical calculations for PID control using nothing but air pressure and mechanical force. This pure-pneumatic architecture makes the Foxboro 130M-N5 inherently intrinsically safe — there is no risk of sparking in hazardous areas — and completely immune to electromagnetic interference, a critical feature for legacy chemical plants, oil refineries, and grain handling facilities where explosive atmospheres and high EMI are persistent challenges. With virtually no moving parts in the flexure suspension mechanism, the Foxboro 130M-N5 delivers exceptionally long service life and reliability that electronic controllers of the era simply could not match.Narrow-band full PID for demanding loops:The Foxboro 130M-N5 is specifically configured with a narrow proportional band of 5%–500% and full PID action in the direct-acting direction, making it the most specified variant for temperature loops and flow cascade control. The proportional band, reset (integral) time, and rate (derivative) time are all independently adjustable, allowing field engineers to tune the Foxboro 130M-N5 to the exact dynamics of the process — whether that is the slow thermal inertia of a distillation column, the fast response requirement of a flow control valve, or the interacting dynamics of a boiler drum level loop. This tuning flexibility, combined with the controller’s ±0.5% of span accuracy, ensures precise, stable control across the most demanding analog loops.Bumpless Auto/Manual transfer with integral balancing:The Foxboro 130M-N5 employs Foxboro’s patented “integral balancing” method to achieve completely bumpless transfer between automatic and manual control modes. When an operator switches from Manual to Auto, the controller automatically ramps its output to match the current manual output pressure before engaging the PID algorithm — eliminating any sudden “bump” in the process variable that could upset downstream operations. This bumpless transfer capability of the Foxboro 130M-N5 is invaluable during process disturbances, startup sequences, and maintenance interventions, where operator takeover of the loop must not introduce additional transients into an already-stressed process.
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