UNDERSTANDING ATEX LABELS

ATEX LABELLING: GROUPS AND CATEGORIES OF APPLIANCES

The ATEX labels are affixed to electrical and industrial equipments used in environments with risk of fire and explosion to describe their correct scope of use.

For those working in hazardous environments, understanding ATEX labels is useful for choosing the right equipments and reducing risks.

ATEX standards are defined by the Directive 2014/34/EU. This Directive divides the equipments and protection systems in groups according to their use:

• Group I: equipment intended for use in mines and firedampEquipment group I equipment: intended for use in mines with grisou gas
• Group II: equipment intended for use in explosive atmosphere on the surface (i.e., in industrial plants where flammable gases such as methane or hydrogen are used)

Each group is subdivided into categories as shown in the following tables:

Table 1 - Categories of equipment in Group I

Table 2 - Categories of equipment in Group II

It is necessary to add the letters G and D to the Category number according to the presence of Gas or Dust and depending if the explosive atmosphereis due to gas or dust (both letters can be used at the same time when the equipment is suitabl for both gas and dust).

As it can be inferred, there is a direct correspondece among Directive defined Groups and Categories and among protection levels and hazardous areas.

Table 3 - correspondence between Groups/Categories and EPL

ATEX LABELLING

The label that responds solely and exclusively to the prerequisites of the ATEX Directive must strictly contain the following information:

• CE marking;
• Identification number of the Notified Body that assesses the quality system of the ATEX production (i.e., 0051 is the identification number of IMQ);
• the epsilon-x (Ex) marking/trademark;
• the equipment Group and Category followed by the letter D (dust) or the letter G (gas);

Further to the information required by the Directive, the label contains additional technical information such as: type of protection, the Gas or Dust group, the Gas temperature class or the maximum surface temperature for dust and the protection level.

Example:

ATEX MARKING: MANUFACTURER'S DATA

The ATEX labels must contain information about the manufacturer of the equipment.

Manufacturer data:

• Name and address of the manufacturer;
• Product part number;
• Number of the EU/EC-type-examination certificate;
• Batch identification number (serial number or week/year of production);
• Technical nameplate characterizing the product (voltage, frequency, current, polarity, IP rate, insulation class, particular operating temperature, etc.);

Example of ATEX label: