EU Explosion Proof Certification Directive (ATEX)
1. ATEX Manufacturer Directive 94/9/EC, which includes mechanical equipment and electrical equipment, extends the potential explosive hazardous environment to dust, combustible gas, combustible vapor and mist in the air, and is commonly referred to as "ATEX95 Directive";
2. ATEX User Directive 1992/92/EC, which is a directive on improving the minimum requirements for the safety and health protection of workers exposed to potential explosive environmental hazards, is called "ATEX137 Directive".
According to ATEX 94/9/EC directive, equipment used in potentially explosive gas environment is divided into two groups: I and II.
① Group I equipment mainly refers to equipment used in coal mines;
② Group II equipment mainly refers to non coal mine equipment.
ATEX explosion-proof directive also stipulates relevant provisions on product materials, such as thermal stability of plastic products, electrostatic charges of plastic shells and shell components. Plastic shells should be designed to avoid generating electrostatic charges that may cause ignition hazards under normal use, maintenance and cleaning. When selecting electrical insulation materials, its minimum surface insulation resistance shall be considered to prevent problems caused by exposed plastic parts touching live parts. The plastic shell used in places where explosive gas exists for a long time or lasts shall be further restricted.
The most commonly used standard of EU explosion-proof certification EN 60079 specifies the temperature that can ignite and explode, such as working temperature, ignition temperature of explosive gas environment, maximum working temperature, maximum surface temperature, etc. EN 60079 contains the requirements of many product certification regulations, and the applicable standards for different products are different. When the applicant conducts AETX explosion-proof certification, its certified products may also need to comply with other CE certification directives, such as low-voltage directives, machinery directives and electromagnetic compatibility directives.