ATEX certified

Explosion Proof Products

ATEX zone 1 & 2

Under the European directive ATEX 153, employers are legally obliged to indicate an ATEX zoning in areas where explosive substances are present. This zone classification must be included in the explosion protection document.

What does Ex or ATEX mean?

The terms Ex or ATEX indicate that there is an explosive atmosphere. The use of ATEX-certified solutions and products is therefore usually mandatory in this situation. The risk of explosion is indicated by zone numbers.

A distinction is made between zones 1 and 2 and ATEX zones 21 and 22. ATEX zones 1 and 2 are indicated for the risk of a gas explosion and ATEX zones 21 and 22 for the risk of a dust explosion.
The explosion risk is determined on the basis of a risk inventory and evaluation. This establishes a link with the ATEX 114 directive. The ATEX 114 approved equipment is divided into categories, which indicate in which zones it may be used, so that this equipment cannot ignite an explosive atmosphere.

• The zones with a gas or vapor explosion hazard are designated zone 0, 1 or 2.
• The zones with a dust explosion hazard are indicated with zone 20, 21 or 22.

ATEX zones

To get at a zone division, the following components are considered:

1. The hazard sources, all points where gas, vapor or dust can be released, are mapped out;
2. It is calculated what quantities of gas, vapor and dust can be released in the area;
3. The probability is calculated that a dangerous explosive mixture is present.

ATEX suppliers

The final zone classification is ultimately determined according to how frequently an explosive mixture can occur.

• ATEX Zone 1, 2, 21, 22: applies, for example, to the following HMI solutions:
  Manufacturer: Eaton MTL Instruments (GECMA HMI Solutions) – Eaton MTL GECMA – Home of the HMI
  Distributor: Mulder-Hardenberg, HMI solutions.
• ATEX Zone 2: The following example applies to the following Monitoring & Control solutions:
  Manufacturer: OPTO22 Groov EPIC and Groov RIO – Opto22 – groov Product Comparison
  Distributor: Mulder-Hardenberg, Monitoring & Control-solutions