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atex directive 94/9/EC

New Product Classification Equipment Groups and Categories

The ATEX Directive, in Annex I, defines two Equipment Groups which are subdivided into five Equipment Categories.

Note:
In order to determine the appropriate Conformity Assessment Procedure, the manufacturer must first come to a decision based on the intended use, as to which Equipment Group and Equipment Category the product belongs.

Equipment Groups and Categories:

Equipment Group I

Equipment Category M1
Equipment Category M2

Equipment Group II

Equipment Category 1
Equipment Category 2
Equipment Category 3

What Are Equipment Groups?

The two Equipment Groups defined in Annex I are based mining and non-mining applications.

Equipment Group I - comprises of equipment intended for use in the underground parts of mines, and to those parts of surface installation of such mines, likely to become endangered by fire damp and/or combustible dust.
Equipment Group II - comprises of equipment intended for use in other places likely to become endangered by explosive atmospheres.

What Are Equipment Categories?

The Equipment Categories Defined in Annex I are based on the level of precautions required according to the likelihood of the presence of an explosive atmosphere. Since higher levels of precaution are more expensive to achieve, classification of equipment into categories enables precautions to be taken that are appropriate to the risk.

The five Equipment Categories are:

Category M1 & M2 for mining applications.
Category 1, 2, & 3 for non-mining applications.

Equipment Category M1:

Category M1 comprises of equipment which is:

Intended for use in mines endangered by fire damp and/or coal dust Required to remain functional, even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment, with an explosive atmosphere present, and is characterized by the means of protection such that:

Either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection
Or the requisite level of protection is assured in the event of faults occurring independently of each other

Equipment Category M2:

Category M2 comprises of equipment which is:

Intended for use in mines endangered by fire damp and/or coal dust. Required to be de-energized in the event of an explosive atmosphere.
The means of protection relating to equipment in this categoryassure the requisite level of protection during normal operation and also in the care of more severe operating conditions, in particular those arising from rough handling and changing environmental conditions.

Note:
For Conformity Assessment, Category M2 is sub-divided into:
- Electrical equipment and internal combustion engines.
- Non-electrical equipment

Equipment Category 1:

Category 1 comprises of equipment which is:

Intended for use in areas which an explosive atmosphere is continuously present or for long periods of time
Equipment in this category must ensure the requisite level of protection, even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment, and is characterized by means of protection such that:
Either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection
Or the requisite level of protection is assured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other

Equipment Category 2:

Category 2 comprises of equipment which is:

Intended for use in areas which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur.
The means of protection relating to equipment in this category ensure the requisite level of protection, even in the event of frequent occurring disturbances or equipment faults which normally have to be taken into account.

Note:
for Conformity Assessment, Category 2 is sub-divided into:
- Electrical equipment and internal combustion engines.
- Non-electrical equipment.

Equipment Category 3:

Category 3 comprises of equipment which is:

Intended for use in areas which an explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur or only to occur infrequently or for short period of time
Equipment in this category ensures the requisite level of protection during normal operation

The New Conformity Mark

Under the Old Directive, the "Epsilion x" symbol indicated conformity with CENELEC requirements. This symbol was allowed to be applied to products which were considered to be final assemblies, NOT empty enclosures or component parts such as terminal blocks, operators, breather drains, etc..

Under the New Directive, the "Epsilion x" symbol will move into the marking string and be used to indicate explosion protection. The "CE" mark will now indicate conformity to the ATEX Directive. This mark can only be applied to final assemblies and not to empty enclosures or component parts.

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