Labeling[edit]

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

Europe[edit]

Mark for ATEX certified electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres.

In Europe the label must show the CE mark and the code number of the certifying body. The CE
marking is complemented with the Ex mark, followed by the indication of the Group, Category
and, if group II equipment, the indication relating to gases (G) or dust (D). For example: Ex II 1 G
(Explosion protected, Group 2, Category 1, Gas) Specific type or types of protection being used
will be marked.

EEx ia IIC T4. (Type ia, Group 2C gases, Temperature category 4).

EEx nA II T3 X (Type n, non-sparking, Group 2 gases, Temperature category 3, special

conditions apply).

Industrial electrical equipment for hazardous area has to conform to appropriate parts of
standard EN 60079[5] and in some cases, certified as meeting that standard. Independent test
houses (known as Notified Bodies)are established in most European countries, and a certificate
from any of these will be accepted across the EU. In the United Kingdom, the DTI appoint and
maintain a list of Notified Bodies within the UK, of which Sira and Baseefa are the most well
known.

North America[edit]
In North America the suitability of equipment for the specific hazardous area must be tested by
a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Such institutes
are UL, MET, FM,CSA or Intertek (ETL), for example.
The label will always list the Class(es), Division(s) and may list the Group(s) and temperature
Code. Directly adjacent on the label one will find the mark of the listing agency.

Some manufacturers claim "suitability" or "built-to" hazardous areas in their technical literature,
but in effect lack the testing agency's certification and thus unacceptable for the AHJ (Authority
Having Jurisdiction) to permit operation of the electrical installation/system.
All equipment in Division 1 areas must have an approval label, but certain materials, such as
rigid metallic conduit, does not have a specific label indicating the Cl./Div.1 suitability and their
listing as approved method of installation in the NEC serves as the permission. Some equipment
in Division 2 areas do not require a specific label, such as standard 3 phase induction motors
that do not contain normally arcing components.
Also included in the marking are the manufacturers name or trademark and address, the
apparatus type, name and serial number, year of manufacture and any special conditions of use.
The NEMA enclosure rating or IP code may also be indicated, but it is usually independent of the
Classified Area suitability.

See also[edit]

Electrical conduit

Intrinsic safety

ATEX directive

Pressure piling

Mineral-insulated copper-clad cable

Grounding kit

CompEx Competency standard

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Bossert 86 page 17
2. ^ Jump up to:a b c http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeasareaclas.htm
3. Jump up^ "NFPA 70, National Electric Code". National Fire Protection Association.
4. Jump up^ John Bossert and Randolph Hurst, Hazardous Locations A Guide for the Design,
Construction and Installation of Electrical Equipment, Canadian Standards Association, Toronto
1986 ISBN 0-9690124-5-4, Chapter 9
5. Jump up^ BS EN 60079: "Explosive atmospheres" (many parts)

Further reading[edit]

Alan McMillan, Electrical Installations in Hazardous Areas, Butterworth-Heineman

1998, ISBN 0-7506-3768-4

Peter Schram Electrical Installations in Hazardous Locations, Jones and Bartlett,

1997, ISBN 0-87765-423-9

Intrinsic Safety in Cellphones, Smartphones and PDAs (PDF), Airo Wireless

External links[edit]

ATEX Explained

ATEX "Use" Directive

ATEX Directive in Detail

Hazardous area basics

IECEx System