ATEX Standards and Regulations for Electrical Equipment in the Atmosphere
The ATEX guidelines govern the safe design and use of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. Learn how ATEX area classifications affect your choice of equipment.
ATEX Standards and Regulations for Electrical Equipment in Explosible Atmospheres
Industrial environments often present risks of explosions due to the presence of flammable gases, vapours, mist or dust. To ensure safety in these explosive atmospheres, electrical equipment must comply with strict standards and regulations. In this article, we will explore ATEX standards and regulations for electrical equipment in these environments, emphasizing the importance of their compliance and best practices to ensure optimal protection.
What is ATEX Regulations?
ATEX is the acronym for "Explosible Atmospheres". In Europe, the ATEX Directive governs equipment used in potentially explosive environments. This directive is divided into two main parts:
Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114): Concerning protective equipment and systems intended for use in explosive atmospheres. It requires manufacturers to design and produce equipment that meets essential safety requirements.
Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 153): Concerning the protection of workers who may be exposed to the risks of explosive atmospheres. It requires employers to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of workers.
Classification of ATEX Zones
Explosive atmospheres are classified according to the frequency and duration of the explosive atmosphere:
Zone 0: Area where an explosive atmosphere is permanently present, or for long periods.
Zone 1: An area where an explosive atmosphere may occasionally occur in normal operation.
Zone 2: An area where an explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur in normal operation and, if it occurs, only persists for a short time.
For flammable dust, zones are classified in the same way but are numbered 20, 21 and 22 respectively.
Types of ATEX Protection for Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment intended for ATEX areas shall be designed with specific protective methods to prevent ignition sources. Some commonly used methods include:
Anti-explosion (Ex d): The equipment housing is designed to contain an internal explosion and prevent its spread outside.
Increased safety (Ex e): Improves safety by avoiding excessive temperature formation and preventing dust or gas entry.
Intrinsic safety (Ex i): Limit the electrical and thermal energy available for circuits so that they cannot cause ignition.
Pressurization (Ex p): Maintains overpressure inside the equipment envelope to prevent the entry of the explosive atmosphere.
Deflating cover (Ex t): Protects equipment in areas where flammable dust may be present.
Compliance and Certification
In order to comply with ATEX directives, the electrical equipment must be rigorously tested and certified by a notified body. Manufacturers shall affix the CE marking to their products accompanied by the ATEX symbol and the device classification code.
ATEX marking
The aTEX marking includes several essential information, such as:
The "Ex" logo indicating compliance with the ATEX Directive.
The apparatus group: I (for mines) or II (for other environments).
The device category: 1, 2 or 3, indicating the level of protection.
The type of protection: For example, "d" for deflator, "e" for increased safety, etc.
The temperature class: Indicates the maximum surface temperature of the equipment.
Conclusion
Compliance with standards and aTEX regulations is crucial to ensure the safety of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres. Companies must ensure the use of certified equipment and follow good practices to minimize the risk of explosion. By remaining informed of the latest regulatory developments and investing in advanced protection technologies, they can ensure a safe working environment and protect both their employees and their facilities.
For more information on ATEX regulations and protective equipment, please consult the resources available on our website or contact our experts.
Share this content