ATEX certification for explosive atmospheres
What is the European Union’s ATEX standard for mechanical transmissions?
The ATEX directive (from the French expression ATmosphères EXplosibles) includes two important European Union directives. EU Directive 2014/34 which regulates the characteristics of equipment to be used in hazardous areas, and EC Directive 99/92 regulates the safety and health of workers in hazardous areas.
We focus on Directive 2014/34.
The ATEX Product Directive (2014/34/EU) regulates all requirements for products to be used in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres.
Mechanical transmissions working in explosive atmospheres must certify that their calculation, design and construction comply with a series of standards that guarantee their operation in these environments.
Explosive Atmospheres can occur in environments in the presence of the following elements:
• The presence of an ignition source.
• A mixture of hazardous substances such as vapors, gases, mist or dust.
• Oxygen which, at normal ambient temperature and pressure, can propagate combustion throughout the unburned mixture.Electric motors are older than gasoline or diesel engines, but they have never experienced as much technical progress as today due to the increasing production of 100% electric cars. While a gasoline combustion engine can have an efficiency of 28% and a diesel engine 40%, the electric motor has an efficiency of 90%.
• AC motors are widely used in electric vehicles due to their efficiency and flexibility. They can operate at speeds of 10,000 revolutions per minute, even 20,000 rpm or more.
• For the certification of automotive electric motors, resistance, temperature, torque, speed and power tests, as well as vibration and noise tests, insulation resistance, and a long etc. must be carried out.
• Santa Fe ECS designs high-speed gears for automotive electric motor test stands.
What is ATEX certification for?
ATEX certification is applicable to manufacturing facilities located within the EU or to manufacturers wishing to sell products to be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere within the European Union. Compliance with this standard benefits the entire industry and has the following advantages.
• Increases seller and buyer confidence, as the product is certified by an independent body. ATEX compliance demonstrates that safety standards are incorporated throughout the value chain.
• Access to the European Union market: ATEX compliance is mandatory in the EU and enables manufacturers to sell their products in the EU.
• Promotes safety: it establishes a set of standards to mitigate potential risks caused to people or products.
What is IECEx?
IECEx is an international certification system where full compliance with IEC international standards is required.
Qualified IECEx testing laboratories evaluate products intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and IECEx certification bodies issue an “IECEx Certificate of Conformity” if the safety requirements of the standards are met.
An IECEx Certificate of Conformity allows direct market access in many countries, as well as accrediting that a product complies with international standards in support of any local certification requirements.
What are the differences between ATEX and IECEx certification?
ATEX and IECEx certifications are actually very similar, the main difference is their geographical scope.
IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive) is an international certification system accepted in more than 50 countries.
ATEX is a mandatory standard in Europe but is not recognized internationally.
ATEX product certification for the European Union
When using products in potentially explosive atmospheres, all products sold in the European Union must demonstrate compliance with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
The conformity assessment and process can be complex, even for the most experienced manufacturers. We have the technical expertise to facilitate your completion and can guide you through the entire ATEX certification process. This includes:
• Testing and evaluation based on the requirements of the ATEX Directive,
• Quality system assessments based on the requirements of the ATEX Directive.
• Preparation of reports required by a certifying body.
• Managing the certification process with the certifying body.
ATEX procedure
These are some of the steps that must be taken into account to define the appropriate procedure of the ATEX Directive:
• Identify the zone. ATEX zones are those areas where gases or dusts can accumulate that can cause some kind of dangerous, violent or fiery explosion. The zones according to the risk are classified as: zone 0, zone 1, zone 2, zone 20, zone 21 and zone 22.
• Identify the group. Products covered by the ATEX Directive are classified into 2 groups, depending on the expected frequency and duration of the explosion hazard or whether it is electrical or not.
• Group I: equipment used for subway mines or mines where there is a risk of firedamp and/or combustible dust.
• Group II: equipment used above ground.
• Identify the category. The products covered by the Directive are also classified into 3 categories, depending on the expected frequency and duration of the explosion hazard or whether it is electrical or not.
• Category 1: the product is safe, even with two independent failures.
• Category 2: the product is safe, even with one failure
• Category 3: the product is safe when operating normally.
• Apply specific safety standards: Products will have to apply specific protection standards as described in the ATEX guidelines and related standards. This process ensures that the equipment in question will not ignite or propagate an explosion in a given area and at a given temperature.
• Other compliance requirements, such as additional evaluations, depend on the area in which the equipment is to be used.
ATEX Product Certification Bodies
A “Notifying Body” is required to obtain ATEX certification. A Notifying Body is an independent organization designated by a European Union member state (or other countries under specific agreements) to assess the conformity of certain products before they are placed on the market.
• Notified bodies in the USA and Canada. In the United States of America and Canada there are Notified Bodies for ATEX certification.
• Notified bodies in Europe. In most countries of the European Union there are notified bodies for ATEX certification.
How much does it cost to certify an ATEX product?
There is no fixed price to certify an ATEX product, the price depends on the complexity of the product. Normally between 80% of the budget is allocated to the project (preparation of documentation, 2D and 3D drawings of the product, etc) and testing, and the rest is for the notifying body that certifies the product. The prices of the notifying bodies are not regulated and can vary greatly from one body to another.
