ATEX

GUIDELINES
Short introduction to the ATEX directive 2014/34/EU and referred standards by Atexor Oy.
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ATEX EXPLAINED ATEX CHECKLIST

ATEX SHORTLY More information: DIRECTIVE 2014/34/EU and DIRECTIVE 1999/92/EC. EQUIPMENT CATEGORY & EQUIPMENT PROTECTION LEVEL
See: IEC/EN 60079-10-1
and IEC/EN 60079-10-2 TEMPERATURE CLASS (GAS) More information: IEC/EN 60079-0

From the French ATmosphère EXplosible (Explosive Atmospheres), ATEX refers to the European Union (EU) directives Area classification ZONE: Suitable ATEX Equipment Category: Equipment Protection Level (EPL): Ambient temperature: Temperature Max Surface
regulating explosion protection. To be able to manufacture, import or distribute Ex equipment within the EU, companies Temperature class based on use at ambient -20°C to Class Temperature
ZONE 0 1G Ga
must fulfill the ATEX requirements. There are two ATEX directives: the equipment directive 2014/34/EU (formerly known GAS ZONE 1 1G and 2G Ga, Gb +40°C unless otherwise stated. There is no relationship T1 450°C
as ATEX 95, 94/9/EC) for manufacturers, and the workplace directive ATEX 137 (99/92/EC) for employers with Ex ZONE 2 1G, 2G and 3G Ga, Gb, Gc between ignition temperature and ignition energy. T2 300°C
work areas. T3 200°C
ZONE 20 1D Da
T4 135°C
DUST ZONE 21 1D and 2D Da, Db
For Ex equipment, ATEX defines six different zones for explosion protection: three for gas and three for dust. T5 100°C
ZONE 22 1D, 2D and 3D Da, Db, Dc
See: IEC/EN 60079-10-1 and IEC/EN 60079-10-2. T6 85°C
ATEX certification in the EU is comparable to, for example, Inmetro in Brasil, UL in United States, KOSHA in South
Korea and EAC in Russia. GAS & DUST GROUPS TEMPERATURE MARKING (DUST) More information: IEC/EN 60079-0

DUST GROUPS GAS GROUPS

ATEX certified Designated areas are 1) For Zone 20 (EPL Da) maximum surface temperature is measured under 200mm dust layer on product.
IIIA Combustible flyings Group Representative Test Gas Example of marking: T200 100°C
equipment must marked with either a IIIB Non-conductive dust I Methane (mining only)
have the Ex logo. generic Ex Danger sign IIIC Conductive dust IIA Propane 2) For Zone 21 (EPL Db) maximum temperature can be measured without layer of dust. Example of marking:
or with a zone-specific IIB Ethylene T100°C or For Zone 21 (EPL Db) maximum temperature can be measured with layer of dust (max 200mm).
sign. IIC Hydrogen Example of marking: T100 100°C
Gases are classified according to the ignitability of gas-air mixture. See: IEC/EN 60079-20-1.
Dusts are classified according to the nature of explosive dust. See: IEC/EN 60079-20-2 3) For Zone 22 (EPL Dc) Maximum temperature can be measured also by two methods:
With dust layer T100 100°C and Without dust layer T100°C
(Ambient temperatures are based on use at -20°C to +40°C unless otherwise stated)
CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS AREAS (DUST) More information: IEC/EN 60079-10-2 CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS AREAS (GAS) More informatIEC/EN 60079-10-1

ZONE 0 ZONE 1 ZONE 2 INTENTED APPLICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT More information: IEC/EN 60079-14

ZONE 20 ZONE 21 ZONE 22

FIXED: Equipment fastened to a support, or otherwise secured in a specific location when energised.
TRANSPORTABLE: Equipment not intended to be carried by a person nor intented for fixed installation which
NOTE:This illustration is only an example. can be moved when energised.
NOTE: This illustration is only an example. Area classification varies
Area classification varies depending on
depending on the conditions. PORTABLE: Equipment intended to be carried by a person which can be moved when energised
the conditions.
PERSONAL: Equipment intended to be supported by a person’s body during normal use.

SUFFIX “U” AFTER CERTIFICATION NUMBER More information: IEC/EN 60079-0

For example: “U” suffix at the end of the number of the certificate, must be used when product is Ex Component.
Wheat and wood flour.
The symbol “U” is used to identify that
BARREL component is not suitable for installation
without further evaluation.

EQUIPMENT EMITTING OPTICAL RADIATION (LED) More information: IEC/EN 60079-28

TYPICAL ATEX EQUIPMENT MARKING (GAS & DUST) SUFFIX “X” AFTER CERTIFICATION NUMBER More information: IEC/EN 60079-0
Irradiance levels just outside the cover of the LED luminaire may be high. And in certain circumstances this may to
cause ignition. For products intented to be used in hazardous areas precautions are necessary. Three types II 2G Ex ib IIB T6 Gb
of protection can be applied to prevent ignitions by optical radiation in explosive areas: GAS: 0537 “X” suffix at the end of the number of certificate, must be used when the equipment has Specific Conditions for a safe use.
Gas group Temperature class (Gas)
a) Inherently safe optical radiation, type of protection “op is” Marking of product
ATEX
Equipment
Notified Body Type of Those limitations must be taken into account
b) Protected optical radiation, type of protection “op pr” compliance to relevant indentification ATEX Symbol Group Category explosion Protection
c) Optical system with interlock, type of protection “op sh” EU directives. Protection Dust group Maximum surface Level = EPL before use.
number. temperature (Dust)

Please, read more about "op is" from our articles folder. https://www.atexor.com/downloads/
DUST: 0537 II 2D Ex tb IIIC T99°C Db

Atexor Oy prepared this information herein good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy.
ATEXOR LTD. UK Tel: +44 1224 640777 Internet: www.atexor.co.uk All specifications are subject to change without notice. ATEXOR OY. 3-2020. LTD-V1