2026-09-21 · KeXinMaterials Editorial Team
ATEX / IECEx Explosion-Proof Case B2B Procurement Guide 2026
B2B explosion-proof case procurement requires ATEX / IECEx certification, Zone 1/2/21/22 classification, IP64+ rating, anti-static material (typically conductive PP or aluminum), and ATEX-rated hardware. Below is the 2026 buyer guide for oil & gas / chemical / mining industries.
ATEX vs IECEx Certification
ATEX (Atmospheres Explosibles) is the EU directive 2014/34/EU. IECEx is the international IEC scheme. Both certify equipment for explosive atmospheres.
ATEX 2014/34/EU: EU directive. Mandatory for equipment sold in EU for use in explosive atmospheres. Covers Zone 0/1/2 (gas) and Zone 20/21/22 (dust).
IECEx: International scheme (IEC). Accepted in 30+ countries including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil. NOT automatically accepted in EU — need ATEX for EU sales.
UL HazLoc: North America (US/Canada). Class I Div 1/2 (gas), Class II Div 1/2 (dust), Class III. Different zone system than ATEX/IECEx.
China Ex (CNEx): China domestic certification. Required for sales in mainland China. Different marking but similar concept.
B2B recommendation: For EU sales → ATEX. For international → IECEx + ATEX (most flexible). For US/Canada → UL HazLoc.
Zone Classification (Gas + Dust)
Explosive atmospheres are classified into zones based on frequency and duration of explosive gas/dust presence.
Zone 0 (gas): Explosive atmosphere present continuously or for long periods. Highest protection required. Equipment category 1G.
Zone 1 (gas): Explosive atmosphere likely to occur in normal operation. Equipment category 2G. Most common industrial setting.
Zone 2 (gas): Explosive atmosphere not likely in normal operation, only briefly. Equipment category 3G. Lowest gas-zone protection.
Zone 20 (dust): Combustible dust cloud present continuously. Equipment category 1D.
Zone 21 (dust): Combustible dust likely in normal operation. Equipment category 2D.
Zone 22 (dust): Combustible dust not likely in normal operation. Equipment category 3D.
B2B application: Most oil & gas / chemical plants are Zone 1 (gas) or Zone 21 (dust). Cases for tools/instruments used in Zone 1/2 require ATEX II 2G or II 3G.
IP Rating + Anti-Static Requirements
Explosion-proof cases need IP64+ rating (dust-tight + splash-proof) and anti-static / conductive material to prevent spark ignition.
IP rating: IP64 minimum (dust-tight + splash-proof). IP65/IP66/IP67 preferred for outdoor / wash-down environments.
Surface resistivity: < 1×10^9 ohm for conductive / static-dissipative material. Measured per IEC 60079-0.
Material options: Conductive PP (carbon black filled), aluminum (natural conductor), stainless steel (natural conductor). Avoid standard PP / ABS (insulating, can build static).
Hardware: ATEX-rated latches / hinges / handles. Standard plastic hardware can build static and spark. ATEX-rated metal hardware required.
Anti-static coating: Optional surface treatment. Reduces surface resistivity to < 1×10^9 ohm. Apply on standard PP if cost is priority.
Cable glands: ATEX-rated cable glands (Ex e or Ex d) for any cable entry. Standard cable glands not allowed in Zone 1.
B2B recommendation: Conductive PP for cost-sensitive Zone 2/22. Aluminum for Zone 1/21 (better durability + heat dissipation).
Explosion-Proof Case Design
Case design for explosive atmospheres requires specific engineering: gap control, flame path, pressure relief, and material selection.
Gap control: Joint gaps must be < 0.1mm for Zone 1 to prevent flame passage. Machined surfaces with tight tolerances.
Flame path: For Ex d (flameproof), the flame path length typically 10-25mm. Internal explosion contained without igniting external atmosphere.
Pressure relief: Cases for Zone 1 may need pressure relief valve to vent internal pressure buildup without igniting external gas.
Wall thickness: Typically 3-5mm for injection molded cases. Aluminum cases 1.5-3mm.
Material certification: ATEX material certificate required for plastic enclosures. Aluminum / stainless steel typically exempt if alloy certified.
B2B recommendation: Specify Zone 1 + II 2G + IP65 + conductive PP for general oil & gas. Specify Zone 0 only if measuring instruments are inside.
Custom Foam + Interior for Ex Areas
Foam interior for explosion-proof cases must also be conductive / anti-static. Standard PU / EVA foam can build static.
Conductive PU foam: Carbon-filled polyurethane. Surface resistivity < 1×10^9 ohm. Compatible with Ex zone 1/2.
Conductive EVA foam: Carbon-filled EVA. Same conductivity as conductive PU. More rigid, better for precision fit.
Standard PU / EVA foam: NOT suitable for Ex zones. Insulating material can build static and spark.
Foam density: 30-45 kg/m³ for general protection. Higher density (50-80 kg/m³) for shock / vibration sensitive equipment.
Pick-and-pluck vs CNC: Pick-and-pluck for prototyping (Zone 2 acceptable). CNC routed foam for Zone 1/21 production.
B2B cost: Conductive foam 2-3× cost of standard foam. Add USD 5-20 per case over standard foam. Lead time +1-2 weeks.
OEM/ODM Customization for ATEX Cases
ATEX case customization requires strict control of materials, hardware, and certification scope. OEM development typically takes 60-180 days.
Material substitution: Cannot change plastic resin without re-certification. Adding carbon black to PP = full re-test.
Hardware change: Adding new latch / hinge / handle = re-certification. OEM ATEX hardware list is closed.
Foam change: Conductive foam does not require substitute. But adding new foam supplier may need re-test.
Dimension change: Wall thickness change > 0.5mm or dimension change > 5% = re-certification. Significant cost.
Color change: Pigment / color masterbatch must be conductive or anti-static. Standard color pigments not allowed.
OEM mold: New mold = full ATEX certification from start. Cost USD 30,000-100,000 for ATEX-certified mold. Lead time 90-180 days.
B2B recommendation: Buy off-the-shelf ATEX case (pre-certified) and customize within existing parameters. Avoid full OEM unless volume > 5,000 cases/year.
B2B Cost + Lead Time Summary
ATEX / IECEx explosion-proof cases cost 2-5× standard protective cases due to certification + materials.
Stock ATEX case (small, 300x250x150mm): USD 200-400 per case. MOQ 10 cases. Lead time 2-4 weeks.
Stock ATEX case (mid, 500x400x250mm): USD 400-800 per case. MOQ 5 cases. Lead time 2-4 weeks.
Stock ATEX case (large, 800x600x400mm): USD 800-2,000 per case. MOQ 1 case. Lead time 2-6 weeks.
OEM ATEX case: USD 5,000-30,000 mold + USD 50-200 per case. MOQ 1,000+ cases. Lead time 90-180 days.
Conductive foam upgrade: USD 5-20 per case over standard foam. Lead time +1-2 weeks.
Hardware upgrade (ATEX-rated): USD 10-30 per case over standard hardware. Lead time +2-4 weeks.
Certification cost: ATEX certification USD 5,000-30,000 per product. IECEx USD 10,000-50,000. UL HazLoc USD 15,000-50,000. Re-test USD 3,000-15,000 per change.
B2B Application Examples
Explosion-proof cases are used in oil & gas, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and grain handling industries.
Oil & gas upstream: Drilling tools, wellhead instruments, fracking equipment. Zone 1 typical. Aluminum cases preferred.
Oil & gas downstream: Refinery inspection tools, control instruments. Zone 2 typical. Conductive PP cases acceptable.
Chemical plants: Solvent measurement, flammable liquid sampling. Zone 1/2. Stainless steel or aluminum preferred.
Mining: Methane environments (underground coal mining). Zone 1. Special MSHA-certified cases required (different from ATEX).
Pharmaceutical: Solvent / powder handling. Zone 2/22. Conductive PP or aluminum. FDA-grade materials for direct contact.
Grain handling / agriculture: Combustible dust (grain dust, flour). Zone 21/22. Conductive PP for cost-effectiveness.
B2B recommendation: Match case certification (ATEX vs IECEx vs UL) to end-user jurisdiction. Match Zone rating (1 vs 2 vs 21 vs 22) to actual deployment environment.
Key Takeaways
- ATEX: EU directive (Zone 0/1/2 gas + 20/21/22 dust); IECEx: international (30+ countries); UL HazLoc: US/Canada
- Most B2B applications: Zone 1 (gas) + Zone 21 (dust); case cert: II 2G / II 2D minimum
- IP64+ rating + surface resistivity < 1×10^9 ohm required; conductive PP / aluminum material
- Conductive foam: USD 5-20 over standard; OEM ATEX mold: USD 30,000-100,000 + 90-180 days
- ATEX certification: USD 5,000-30,000 per product; re-test for any modification
- B2B cost: USD 200-2,000 per stock ATEX case; OEM USD 50-200 per case + mold
- Customization limited: material / hardware / color changes require re-certification
FAQ
What is ATEX certification for protective cases?
ATEX (Atmospheres Explosibles) is the EU directive 2014/34/EU for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres. For protective cases, ATEX certification covers Zone 0/1/2 (gas) and Zone 20/21/22 (dust). Equipment categories 1G (highest), 2G, 3G for gas and 1D, 2D, 3D for dust. ATEX is mandatory for equipment sold in EU for explosive atmospheres.
What is the difference between ATEX and IECEx?
ATEX: EU directive 2014/34/EU. Mandatory in EU. IECEx: international IEC scheme. Accepted in 30+ countries (Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, etc.). Both have similar Zone system. For international sales, get both ATEX (EU) and IECEx (rest of world). For EU-only sales, ATEX only is sufficient.
What is Zone 1 vs Zone 2 for protective cases?
Zone 1 (gas): Explosive atmosphere likely to occur in normal operation. Most industrial settings. Equipment category 2G. Zone 2 (gas): Explosive atmosphere not likely in normal operation, only briefly. Equipment category 3G. Lower protection. Most oil & gas / chemical plants are Zone 1 or Zone 2. Zone 1 cases cost more due to higher certification.
What is the surface resistivity requirement for ATEX cases?
ATEX case surface resistivity must be < 1×10^9 ohm per IEC 60079-0 standard. Measured at multiple points on case surface. Achieved by: (a) conductive PP material (carbon black filled), (b) aluminum (natural conductor), (c) stainless steel (natural conductor), or (d) anti-static coating on standard plastic. Standard PP / ABS (insulating) NOT allowed in Zone 1.
Can I customize an ATEX-certified case?
Limited customization: Logo printing OK (silkscreen / laser engraving). Color must remain conductive (carbon black or anti-static pigment). Foam must be conductive (carbon-filled PU/EVA). Hardware change requires re-certification (USD 3,000-15,000 re-test). Dimension change > 5% or material change requires re-certification. OEM mold: USD 30,000-100,000 + 90-180 days + full certification.
What is the cost difference between ATEX and standard cases?
ATEX case costs 2-5× standard case. Example: mid-size (500x400x250mm) standard case USD 50-150. Same size ATEX case USD 400-800. Cost drivers: ATEX-certified raw material (conductive PP +30-50%), ATEX-rated hardware (latches/hinges/handles +50-100%), certification cost (USD 5,000-30,000 amortized over production volume). Lead time +2-6 weeks for ATEX.
What IP rating is required for ATEX cases?
Minimum IP64 (dust-tight + splash-proof) for ATEX. IP65 (jet water) preferred for outdoor / wash-down. IP66 (powerful water jets) for marine / heavy industrial. IP67 (immersion 1m / 30min) for occasional water exposure. ATEX zones typically require IP65+. IP rating is tested per IEC 60529.
How long does ATEX certification take?
ATEX certification typically takes 8-16 weeks for new product. Includes: design review, material testing, prototype testing, certification body audit (Notified Body), documentation (technical file + EU declaration of conformity), and listing in EU database. Re-test for modifications takes 4-8 weeks. Cost USD 5,000-30,000 per product depending on complexity. Notified Bodies: TÜV, SGS, Bureau Veritas, UL, DNV.