HIMA’s HIMatrix Series: The Small and Inexpensive Safety Controller

In industries where human safety, asset protection, and uninterrupted operations are non-negotiable, the performance of safety controllers becomes a decisive factor. Whether in rail signaling, safeguarded level crossings, pipelines, turbines, or compact process automation systems, engineers are under constant pressure to deploy safety solutions that respond instantly, integrate smoothly, and remain cost-effective over the entire lifecycle.

HIMA’s HIMatrix series was developed precisely for these requirements. As a compact and economical safety controller family, HIMatrix delivers certified functional safety without sacrificing speed, scalability, or networking flexibility. By combining high-performance hardware with SafeEthernet communication, the platform enables small to medium-sized safety applications to achieve safety integrity levels typically associated with much larger systems.

Meeting the Need for Fast and Reliable Safety

Engineers responsible for signal technology or protected rail crossings face unique challenges: limited installation space, harsh environmental conditions, and strict regulatory compliance. Similar constraints exist in oil & gas pipelines, turbine protection, and decentralized process units. In these scenarios, the highest priority is a safety system that reacts immediately and predictably when a hazardous condition occurs.

The HIMatrix series addresses this need by focusing on minimal response times, deterministic communication, and certified safety logic. Practical deployment data shows that fast response times directly reduce the risk window in emergency shutdown scenarios, especially in rail signaling and rotating machinery protection.

BENEFITS: The Safety Platform for Networked and Time-Sensitive Applications

1. Fastest Response Time

Time is critical in safety-related applications. HIMatrix controllers are designed to minimize processing and communication delays, allowing safety functions to execute within milliseconds. When combined with SafeEthernet, signal transmission remains deterministic even in networked environments.

In a rail level-crossing application, for example, reducing response time by just 10–20 milliseconds can significantly lower the probability of unsafe barrier movement during train approach. HIMatrix achieves this through optimized controller architecture and high-speed safety communication, ensuring rapid shutdown or interlocking actions.

2. Easy Installation

Space and time constraints often dominate project planning. HIMatrix modules feature a compact form factor that allows installation in confined cabinets or roadside enclosures. Pre-certified components reduce wiring complexity and minimize commissioning effort.

In decentralized pipeline monitoring stations, HIMatrix controllers can be installed directly near sensors and actuators, eliminating long cable runs. This not only shortens installation time but also reduces signal interference and maintenance costs over the system’s lifetime.

3. Easy Programming

HIMatrix safety logic is engineered for clarity and efficiency. Using standardized engineering tools, safety functions can be configured, tested, and validated without excessive coding complexity. This simplifies both initial engineering and later modifications.

From a lifecycle perspective, easier programming translates into shorter validation cycles and reduced engineering hours. In small turbine protection systems, users report measurable reductions in commissioning time compared to traditional hardwired safety relays.

4. Maximum Compatibility

Modern facilities rarely operate in isolation. HIMatrix integrates seamlessly with higher-level automation systems and other HIMA safety platforms. This compatibility allows users to expand or migrate systems without replacing existing safety infrastructure.

For mixed installations that combine HIMatrix with HIMax controllers, safety data can be exchanged reliably, enabling a unified safety architecture across different system sizes.

FEATURES

Small but Powerful

Despite its compact size, the HIMatrix series offers a robust portfolio of safety-related controllers and I/O modules. When paired with SafeEthernet, the system provides a certified safety foundation for small to medium-scale applications.

Performance benchmarks demonstrate that HIMatrix controllers can handle complex safety logic while maintaining deterministic execution. This makes them suitable not only for basic emergency stop functions but also for advanced interlocking and monitoring tasks.

Networking: Distributed and Centralized Architectures

HIMatrix supports both distributed and centralized system designs, giving engineers the freedom to choose the architecture that best fits their application.

Distributed concept: A central controller connects to remote I/O modules installed close to field devices. This approach is ideal for geographically spread installations such as pipelines or rail infrastructure.

Centralized concept: Multiple HIMatrix controllers are networked, and any controller can assume higher-level control functions if required.

Hybrid approach: Both concepts can be combined, extended, or integrated with HIMax safety controllers, enabling scalable safety networks.

This flexibility allows systems to evolve without redesigning the entire safety layer.

Seamless Communication via SafeEthernet

Communication between HIMatrix safety controllers is handled through SafeEthernet, HIMA’s safety-related protocol. SafeEthernet is certified up to:

SIL 3 according to IEC 61508/61511

SIL 4 according to CENELEC standards

PLe according to ISO 13849

Certification at these levels ensures that safety communication remains reliable even under network load or partial failures. In practice, this allows HIMatrix to be deployed in Ethernet-based infrastructures without compromising functional safety.

Deep-Sea and Rail Industry Readiness

Certain HIMatrix models are specifically designed for demanding environments such as rail applications and offshore installations. These controllers operate reliably within a temperature range of -25°C to +70°C, making them suitable for outdoor cabinets and extreme climates.

For the rail industry, HIMatrix is certified according to CENELEC standards up to SIL 4, enabling its use in safety-critical signaling and crossing systems. Field data from rail projects shows that this robustness significantly reduces downtime caused by environmental stress.

Safe Motion Control

HIMatrix also supports safe motion control applications, delivering a solution that is simpler, more flexible, and more cost-effective than traditional architectures. Continuous monitoring of loads, speeds, and distances enhances operational safety while reducing the number of required components.

By integrating safety and motion control functions, users can lower planning and engineering effort, reduce wiring complexity, and minimize potential error sources. In rotating machinery and conveyor systems, this approach has been shown to improve uptime while maintaining certified safety levels.

HIMatrix Is a Choice for Compact Safety Systems

The HIMatrix series demonstrates that compact and economical safety controllers can still deliver high-end performance and certification. By combining fast response times, flexible networking, certified SafeEthernet communication, and proven reliability in harsh environments, HIMatrix provides an ideal solution for small to medium-sized safety applications.

For rail operators, process engineers, and system integrators seeking a dependable yet cost-efficient safety platform, HIMA’s HIMatrix series offers a future-ready foundation that balances performance, scalability, and compliance—without unnecessary complexity.

Contact
Sale Manager: John Yang      
Email: [email protected] 
Mobile(WhatsApp):  86-18150117685