The ATEX directive consists of two EU directives describing what equipment and work environment is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the 94\/9\/EC directive: Appareils destin\u00e9s \u00e0 \u00eatre utilis\u00e9s en ATmosph\u00e8res EXplosibles.<\/strong><\/p>\n Deeter Electronics manufactures and sells a range of hazardous area products with ATEX and IECEx certification, including float switches, liquid level sensors and load cells. We can offer products with Ex d Explosion Proof approvals for use in hazardous areas without the need for an intrinsic safety barrier. In addition, we have products available for hazardous areas which are suitable for use in Intrinsically Safe Systems with the use of a Safety Barrier.<\/p>\n Our Ex d range of Explosion Proof float switches and liquid level sensors with ATEX & IECEx certifications are suitable for use in explosive atmospheres, with these standards accepted in most regions worldwide.<\/p>\n ATEX Directive 94\/9\/EC<\/a> Hazardous areas are environments in which the atmosphere contains, or may possibly contain, flammable or explosive gases and, in the right conditions, may cause a fire or explosion.<\/p>\n The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) defines hazardous areas as “any place in which an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities such as to require special precautions to protect the safety of workers”.1<\/a><\/p>\n HSE states that hazardous areas are classified into zones based on an assessment of the frequency of the occurrence and duration of an explosive gas atmosphere, and are as follows:<\/p>\n Various sources have tried to place time limits on to these zones, but none have been officially adopted. The most common values used are:<\/p>\n Broadly speaking, there are three standards that apply to hazardous area equipment and services.<\/p>\n Since July 1st 2003 it has been mandatory under European law that all equipment for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere must conform to specific safety standards. Many manufacturing processes, including biodiesel production, generate potentially explosive atmospheres.3<\/a><\/p>\n For more information:<\/p>\n IECEx\u2019s objective is the facilitation of international trade in equipment used in explosive environments, while maintaining the required level of safety, meaning:<\/p>\n IECEx Standard.4<\/a><\/p>\n Electronic devices in normal use can produce internal sparks or heat, both of which can become an ignition source, causing explosion or fire. Intrinsically safe equipment is defined as “equipment and wiring which is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy under normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a specific hazardous atmospheric mixture in its most easily ignited concentration”.<\/p>\n View all intrinsically safe certified sensors and switches.<\/a><\/p>\nHazardous Area Products with ATEX and IECEx Certification<\/h3>\n
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\nIECEx Standards<\/a><\/p>\nHazardous Areas Definition<\/h3>\n
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Typical Hazardous Environments<\/h3>\n
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Hazardous Area Standards<\/h3>\n
ATEX Directive 94\/9\/EC<\/h4>\n
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IECEx Standards<\/h4>\n
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Intrisically Safe<\/h3>\n
Types of Hazardous Area ATEX Sensors and Systems<\/h3>\n
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Types of Hazardous Area Sensors, Switches and Equipment<\/h3>\n
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