2026-09-21 · KeXinMaterials 编辑团队

ATEX + IECEx + IEC 60079 Zone Classification Hazardous Area Protective Case B2B Guide

ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU + 1999/92/EC) + IECEx + IEC 60079 are the three primary regulatory frameworks for hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers may be present. Below is the 2026 B2B procurement guide covering zone classification (gas zones 0/1/2 + dust zones 20/21/22), equipment categories (Category 1/2/3), EPL (Ga/Gb/Gc + Da/Db/Dc), group classification (I/II/III), and protective case correlation.

ATEX 指令 2014/34/EU + 1999/92/EC

ATEX (ATmosphères EXplosibles) is the EU regulatory framework for explosive atmospheres. Two directives: 2014/34/EU (Equipment) + 1999/92/EC (Workplace). Mandatory in EU + EEA.

ATEX 2014/34/EU scope: Equipment + protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Applies to electrical + mechanical equipment, components, devices. Mandatory CE marking per 2014/34/EU Article 10.

ATEX equipment categories: Category 1 (very high protection, Zone 0 / Zone 20), Category 2 (high protection, Zone 1 / Zone 21), Category 3 (normal protection, Zone 2 / Zone 22). Category defines required level of safety + allowed zones of use.

Category 1 (Zone 0 / Zone 20): Very high level of safety. Two independent means of protection. Even rare equipment failures must not ignite atmosphere. Equipment remains safe in fault condition. Suitable for continuous + long-duration explosive atmosphere.

Category 2 (Zone 1 / Zone 21): High level of safety. Normal operation + foreseeable disturbances. Suitable for occasional + likely-explosive atmosphere. Equipment fails safely.

Category 3 (Zone 2 / Zone 22): Normal level of safety. Only normal operation considered. Suitable for unlikely + short-duration explosive atmosphere.

ATEX 1999/92/EC scope: Worker protection + workplace safety. Employer obligations to classify zones + select equipment accordingly. Defines 6 zones (gas + dust).

ATEX marking per 2014/34/EU Annex II + Section 2.0.1: CE mark + ATEX specific marking: Ex II 2G IIC T4 Gb (or similar). Components: Ex II 2G IIC T4 Gb with "U" suffix.

ATEX marking example breakdown: Ex (ATEX explosion protection) II (Group II, surface industries) 2 (Category 2) G (gas atmosphere) IIC (gas group, most severe) T4 (temperature class, 135 C max surface) Gb (EPL Gb, zone 1 + 2).

ATEX gas groups: IIA (propane, typical), IIB (ethylene), IIC (hydrogen / acetylene, most severe). Group IIC requires most stringent protection.

ATEX temperature classes (gas): T1 (450 C max surface), T2 (300 C), T3 (200 C), T4 (135 C), T5 (100 C), T6 (85 C). T6 most stringent (auto-ignition temperature must exceed 85 C).

ATEX dust groups: IIIA (combustible fibers), IIIB (non-conductive dust), IIIC (conductive dust, most severe). IIIC includes metal dust.

ATEX + protective case: Cases used to enclose electrical / electronic equipment in hazardous areas. Per 2014/34/EU, cases may need Ex certification if equipment inside needs protection. Cases that are NOT Ex certified may only be used in Zone 2 / Zone 22 + safe areas.

ATEX certification: Issued by ATEX Notified Body (e.g., TUV, BV, DNV, Sira, UL, Baseefa). Certification types: EU Type Examination (per 2014/34/EU Annex III), Unit Verification (Annex IX), Production Quality Assurance (Annex IV), Internal Production Control (Annex VIII).

B2B relevance: For B2B manufacturers exporting cases to EU for hazardous area use, ATEX certification (or ATEX-certified enclosure partner) is required for products intended for Zone 0/1/20/21.

B2B recommendation: For 2026 B2B orders targeting ATEX-scope customers, target protective case with: (1) ATEX certificate (if used in Zone 1 / Zone 21). (2) IECEx certificate (global ATEX-equivalent). (3) Anti-static + anti-spark features. (4) Gas group IIC + temperature class T6. (5) Compatible equipment protection level.

IECEx + IEC 60079 危险区域标准

IECEx is the international certification scheme for equipment in explosive atmospheres. Operated by IECEx (IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres). Based on IEC 60079 standards.

IECEx scope: International certification for equipment used in explosive atmospheres (gas + dust). Accepted globally including EU, US, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, India, South Africa.

IECEx vs ATEX: IECEx is international scheme (voluntary), ATEX is EU directive (mandatory for EU market). IECEx accepted in EU + non-EU countries. ATEX only accepted in EU + EEA. Both accept similar IEC 60079 standards.

IECEx certification scheme: (1) IECEx Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for equipment. (2) IECEx Test Report (ExTR) for testing. (3) IECEx Quality Assessment Report (QAR) for production. (4) IECEx Scheme for Service Facilities.

IEC 60079 standards series: (1) Part 0 General requirements. (2) Part 1 Flameproof enclosures (Ex d). (3) Part 2 Pressurized enclosures (Ex p). (4) Part 4 Equipment protection by powder filling (Ex q). (5) Part 5 Sand-filled (Ex q). (6) Part 6 Oil-immersed (Ex o). (7) Part 7 Increased safety (Ex e). (8) Part 11 Intrinsic safety (Ex i). (9) Part 13 Pressurized rooms (Ex p room). (10) Part 14 Zone classification. (11) Part 15 Type of protection n (non-sparking). (12) Part 18 Encapsulation (Ex m). (13) Part 31 Dust ignition protection by enclosure (Ex t). (14) Many more.

Flameproof enclosure (Ex d, IEC 60079-1): Enclosure contains explosion without propagation to surrounding atmosphere. Joints + flanges precisely machined. Used in Zone 1 + 2 (gas).

Pressurized enclosure (Ex p, IEC 60079-2): Enclosure filled with protective gas at pressure above atmosphere. Prevents ingress of explosive gas. Used in Zone 1 + 2.

Increased safety (Ex e, IEC 60079-7): Additional measures to prevent excessive temperature + arcs + sparks. Used in Zone 1 + 2.

Intrinsic safety (Ex i, IEC 60079-11): Circuit energy limited below ignition energy of atmosphere. Used in Zone 0 + 1 + 2.

Encapsulation (Ex m, IEC 60079-18): Components enclosed in resin. Prevents contact with explosive atmosphere. Used in Zone 1 + 2.

Dust ignition protection by enclosure (Ex t, IEC 60079-31): Enclosure prevents dust ingress + limits surface temperature. Used in Zone 21 + 22.

Equipment Protection Level (EPL): Per IEC 60079-0. Ga (Zone 0, very high), Gb (Zone 1, high), Gc (Zone 2, normal). Da (Zone 20), Db (Zone 21), Dc (Zone 22). Ma / Mb (Group I, mining).

EPL vs ATEX Category mapping: Ga = Category 1 G, Gb = Category 2 G, Gc = Category 3 G. Da = Category 1 D, Db = Category 2 D, Dc = Category 3 D.

Group classification: Group I (mining, underground mines, methane), Group II (surface industries, gas atmospheres IIA/IIB/IIC), Group III (surface industries, dust IIIA/IIIB/IIIC).

IECEx + protective case: Cases can be certified as Ex d, Ex p, Ex e, Ex m, Ex t for different zones + protection types. Most common for protective case: Ex e (increased safety) for Zone 1/2 + Ex t (dust) for Zone 21/22.

B2B relevance: For B2B manufacturers exporting globally (US, EU, APAC, MEA), IECEx certification enables global market access with single certification. US requires UL/IECEx dual certification, China requires CCC + IECEx.

B2B recommendation: For 2026 B2B orders targeting hazardous area customers, target IEC 60079-compliant protective case: (1) IECEx Certificate of Conformity + QAR. (2) EPL Ga/Gb/Gc or Da/Db/Dc per application. (3) Gas group IIC + temperature class T6. (4) Anti-static + non-sparking materials.

危险区域分类

Hazardous area classification defines zones based on frequency + duration of explosive atmosphere presence. Zone 0/1/2 for gas + Zone 20/21/22 for dust. Determines allowed equipment categories / EPL.

Gas zones (IEC 60079-10-1): Zone 0 (continuous + long-duration explosive gas atmosphere >1000 h/year), Zone 1 (likely + occasional explosive gas atmosphere 10-1000 h/year), Zone 2 (unlikely + short-duration explosive gas atmosphere <10 h/year).

Dust zones (IEC 60079-10-2): Zone 20 (continuous + long-duration dust cloud >1000 h/year), Zone 21 (likely + occasional dust cloud 10-1000 h/year), Zone 22 (unlikely + short-duration dust cloud <10 h/year).

Zone classification process: Identify explosive atmosphere sources + extent. Calculate dust / gas concentration + dispersion. Determine zone boundaries + clearance. Document in zone classification document (per IEC 60079-10-1/2).

Zone 0 typical locations: Inside tanks, vessels, pipes containing flammable liquids + vapors. Headspace of sealed containers with flammable liquid. Areas around pump seals + valve packings in flammable liquid service.

Zone 1 typical locations: Around Zone 0 sources. Inside enclosures housing flammable gases. Around sampling points + analyzer houses. Inside sealed equipment containing flammable gas.

Zone 2 typical locations: Around Zone 1 sources. Areas where flammable gas may be present only briefly (e.g., near vent valves, sample points, process connections). Loading + unloading areas for flammable materials.

Zone 20 typical locations: Inside dust-handling equipment (mills, conveyors, hoppers). Inside dust collectors. Areas of continuous dust cloud.

Zone 21 typical locations: Around Zone 20 sources. Inside enclosures with dust. Areas where dust cloud likely in normal operation.

Zone 22 typical locations: Around Zone 21 sources. Areas where dust cloud unlikely + brief. Outside areas where dust may accumulate.

US / Canada NEC 500 / CEC: Class I (gas), Class II (dust), Class III (fibers). Divisions: Division 1 (Zone 0/1 + Zone 20/21 equivalent), Division 2 (Zone 2 + Zone 22 equivalent). US Zone system classification (per NEC 505): Zone 0/1/2 + Zone 20/21/22 per IEC.

Zone classification + protective case selection: Case must be Ex-certified for target zone. Zone 0/1/20/21: Category 1 / EPL Ga/Da. Zone 2/22: Category 3 / EPL Gc/Dc. Anti-static + non-sparking features required.

Anti-static features: Surface resistivity < 1 Gohm (per IEC 60079-0). Conductive + dissipative materials (carbon black filled PP, conductive coating). Grounding strap.

Non-sparking features: Brass / bronze latches (avoid aluminum / magnesium + steel spark). Stainless-steel hinges (spark-free). Anti-sparking tools + accessories.

B2B relevance: For B2B manufacturers supplying hazardous area customers, zone classification of customer site determines case certification requirements. Multi-zone products need multiple certifications.

B2B recommendation: For 2026 B2B orders targeting hazardous area customers, target zone-specific certified protective case: (1) IECEx / ATEX certification for target zone. (2) Anti-static + non-sparking features. (3) Suitable temperature class + gas group. (4) Compatible equipment protection level + EPL.

B2B 危险区域防护箱采购

Comprehensive B2B procurement guide for hazardous area protective cases. Covers ATEX + IECEx + IEC 60079 compliance, certification, anti-static + non-sparking features, customer documentation.

Certification: ATEX (EU mandatory) + IECEx (global voluntary) + UL/CSA (US/Canada) + CCC (China) + KCS (Korea). Most B2B customers in EU require ATEX, global customers prefer IECEx.

ATEX certification options: (1) Ex d (flameproof) - case contains explosion. (2) Ex e (increased safety) - case prevents excessive temp + arcs. (3) Ex t (dust) - case prevents dust ingress + limits surface temp. Most protective case = Ex e (Zone 1) + Ex t (Zone 21).

IEC 60079-0 general requirements: Anti-static materials (surface resistivity < 1 Gohm per IEC 60079-0 clause 7.4). Grounding strap + bonding points. IP54 minimum (per IEC 60079-0).

Temperature class: Determined by max surface temperature. Customer requirement: surface temperature < auto-ignition temperature of gas. T4 (135 C) is common. T6 (85 C) for hydrogen + acetylene + carbon disulfide.

Gas group compatibility: Customer site gas determines group. IIA (propane), IIB (ethylene), IIC (hydrogen / acetylene). Default: IIC for broadest compatibility.

Material selection: Anti-static PP + carbon black filler (surface resistivity 10^4 to 10^9 ohm). Conductive PP / ABS. Avoid aluminum + magnesium + zinc alloys (sparking). Stainless steel 316L hinges + latches (anti-corrosion + non-sparking).

Cable entry: ATEX certified cable glands (e.g., Hawke, CMP, Peppers). Conduit entry (1/2 NPT or M20). Seal + barrier type glands per IEC 60079-14.

Documentation per ATEX: (1) EC Type Examination Certificate per 2014/34/EU Annex III. (2) Production Quality Assurance per Annex IV. (3) EU Declaration of Conformity. (4) User manual + installation instructions. (5) Zone + EPL compatibility.

Documentation per IECEx: (1) IECEx Certificate of Conformity (CoC). (2) IECEx Test Report (ExTR). (3) IECEx Quality Assessment Report (QAR). (4) Installation manual + operating instructions.

Customer audit + inspection: ATEX Notified Body performs annual audits of production facilities. IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) performs surveillance audits per QAR.

Manufacturer credentials: (1) ATEX Notified Body audit certificate. (2) IECEx Certification Body ExCB. (3) ISO 9001 + ISO/IEC 80079-34 (Ex production QA). (4) ISO 14001 (environmental).

Lifecycle: ATEX certification valid 5 years (renewal required). IECEx CoC valid 3 years (annual QAR surveillance + 3-year re-test).

Packaging + shipping: Cases for hazardous area must be marked Ex + zone + EPL + gas group + temp class. Markings per IEC 60079-0.

B2B recommendation: For 2026 B2B orders targeting hazardous area customers, target IECEx / ATEX-certified protective case: IECEx CoC + QAR + ATEX Ex e + Ex t dual certification, anti-static + non-sparking features, gas group IIC + temperature class T6, FOB Shenzhen/Ningbo/EXW delivery 30-45 days.

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