Atex Testing & Certification

What is ATEX?

One of the key European directives in line with the New Legislative Framework is the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. In relation to the design and installation of electrical and non-electrical equipment as well as protective systems designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, it establishes requirements and Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs).

Why ATEX Required?

ATEX certification is required for any equipment or protective gear that is intended for operation in potentially explosive environments and has its own source of ignition. If used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, ATEX certification guarantees that equipment will operate safely in explosive environments without causing any accidents. In the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), equipment used in explosive environments needs to be ATEX certified.

Before exporting equipment or protective systems to Europe, the manufacturer, his authorized representative, the importer, and the distributor must make sure that their product complies with all applicable health and safety regulations and has undergone the necessary conformance procedures.

Testing Facility

ITC Pvt. Ltd. has developed testing facility for ATEX Certification of electrical and non-electrical equipment  in accordance with harmonized standards, some of which are given below:

  • EN 60079-0 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements

EN 60079 specifies the general requirements for construction, testing and marking of electrical equipment and Ex components intended for use in explosive atmospheres.

  • EN 60079-1 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures”d”

The construction standard EN 60079-1 defines flameproof as:
‘An enclosure in which the parts which can ignite an explosive atmosphere are placed and which can withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture, and which prevents the transmission of the explosion to the explosive atmosphere surrounding the enclosure’.
It has a wide range of applications, typically junction boxes, lighting fittings, electric motors etc.
Zone of Use: 1 & 2
Suitable Gas Groups: IIC, IIB & IIA

  • EN 60079-7 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety “e”

Definition
‘A protection method in which increased measures are taken to prevent the possibility of excessive HEAT, ARCS or SPARKS occurring on internal or external parts of the apparatus in normal operation’.
Zone of Use: 1 & 2
Ambient Temperatures:
Increased Safety enclosures are normally designed for use in ambient temperatures in the range -20 °C to +40 °C unless otherwise marked.
Equipment that normally causes sparks is excluded from use within this method of explosion protection.

  • EN 60079-11: Explosive atmospheres – Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety ”i”

Intrinsic Safety is a widely used method of explosion protection. It is used for very low power applications only, and typical examples are control and instrumentation circuits.
Definition
‘A type of protection based on the restriction of electrical energy within apparatus and of interconnecting wiring exposed to the potentially explosive atmosphere to a level below that which can cause ignition by either sparking or heating effects.
Zones of use:
0, 1 & 2 (Ex ia) (based on traditional approach)
1 & 2 (Ex ib)
2 (Ex ic)

  • EN 80079-36 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 36: Non electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – Basic method and requirements

This paft of EN 80079 specifies the basic method and requirements for design, construction, testing and marking of non-electrical Ex equipment, Ex Components, protective systems, devices and assemblies of these products that have their own potential ignition sources and are intended for use in explosive atmosphe

Certification through NB

Eurocert – An Approved Notified Body For ATEX certification can perform ATEX Certification of electrical equipment based on verification of equipment function and safety testing and documentation by manufacturers as per harmonized standards.

ATEX CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE MAP :

Who all can avail ATEX Certification?

Cable glands, Automatic Lubricator, Electric Pumps, Motors, Fans, Blowers, Mechanical Brakes, Gears, Valves, HVAC, Chillers, Storage Cabinets, Junction Boxes, Empty Panels, Plugs & Socket Outlets, Flame Arrests, Spark Arresters, Transmitter ,Thermocouples, RTD’s, load cells Barrier/Electronic, Machines, and Non Electrical Assembly are among the items that manufacturers and exporters can certify for ATEX compliance.