EX Areas

The ATEC directive contains the Essential Safety Requirements to which electrical equipment and protective systems used within potentially explosive atmospheres must conform.

The directive was made mandatory on July 1st 2003.
 

Equipment groups for use in hazardous areas are divided into 2.

Equipment group I is used in mines and is divided in the following categories:

• M1 Constant presence of an explosive atmosphere by fire damp/or coal dust demands double protection.
   
• M2 Risk of presence of an explosive atmosphere by fire damp/or coal dust demands single protection.

Equipment group II is for non-mining applications and is divided in the following categories:
 

• 1 An explosive atmosphere by gas, damp or dust is continuously present or present for a longer period of time.

      This demands double protection for obtaining a high protection level.

• 2 The presence of an explosive atmosphere by gas, damp or dust is likely to occur.

      This demands single protection for obtaining a high protection level.

• 3 The presence of an explosive atmosphere by gas, damp or dust is unlikely to occur.

      This demands normal protection level.
 

Below an overview of the zones of hazardous areas.