Products and components, used in Hazardous Areas (areas subjected to presence of potentially explosive atmosphere), must respect severe standards and have adequate security systems. The main European regulation in this field is the ATEX Directive (compliance required since 1st July 2003). The ATEX directive consists of two EU directives describing what equipment and work space is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere.

The ATEX Directive defines 'explosive atmosphere' as a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

Zone Classification - Potentially explosive environments are classified by the Safety and Protection of Workers Directive 1999/92/EC. These are

- 0, 1, 2 for gas explosive atmospheres

- 20, 21, 22 for dust explosive atmospheres

The equipment category indicates the level of protection offered by the equipment. All equipment certified for use in hazardous areas must be labelled to show the type and level of protection applied.

Please choose adequate equipment category for specified ATEX zone!