To meet the needs of those operating in potentially explosion-hazardous areas, Elvem supplies ATEX motors suitable for installation in the following areas:
- II 2G Ex db IIC T4/T5/T6 Gb
- II 2G Ex db eb IIC T4/T5/T6 Gb
- II 2G Ex eb II T4/T5/T6 Gb
- II 2D Ex tb IIIC T135 Db
- II 3G Ex ec IIC T4 Gc
- II 3D Ex tc IIIC T135°C Dc IP65
ATEX certification, acronym for Atmosphère Explosibles, is mandatory for all products installed in explosion-risk environments in the Member States of the European Union.
It is the responsibility of the end user to indicate the correct protection they need.
Elvem does not self-certify its ATEX products, but issues certificates obtained from international bodies, available in the download area.
The first step in choosing the motor is to correctly determine the area of risk. When an electric motor needs to be installed in a place where the presence of hazardous materials is likely, it is the responsibility of the end user to correctly determine the class, category and group suitable to prevent sparks, overheating or short circuits that may cause explosion.
Generally, electric motors are available with the following types of protection: explosion-proof, increased safety, non-sparkling.
| CLASSIFICATION OF ZONES AND CATEGORIES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | Dust | Category | Protection Level | Description |
| 0 | 20 | 1 | Very High | Presence of continuous explosive atmosphere or for long periods |
| 1 | 21 | 2 | High | High presence of continuous explosive atmosphere or for long periods |
| 2 | 22 | 3 | Normal | Low probability of explosive atmosphere and for short periods |
ATEX distinguishes four groups of gases, based on how easily flammable they are (from a flame or spark; not via self-ignition).
Group I (mines) there is only one group of gases, that is, methane.
Group II is subdivided into IIA, IIB, IIC. Electrical appliances certified for IIB may be used in applications requiring Group IIA appliances.
IIC certified electrical appliances can be used in applications requiring group IIA and IIB.
| Gas Group | Common gases |
|---|---|
| I (Miniere) | Methane |
| IIA | Propane, ethanol, ammonia, butane… |
| IIB | Ethylene, hydrogen sulfide… |
| IIC | Hydrogen, acetylene… |
With ATEX, fuel powder was included for the first time in the regulation — guide of hazardous atmospheres.
Among the most common applications are the processing of wheat, coal, sugar, wood and some chemicals such as sulfur.
IEC 60079-0 defines the new group of atmospheres III for dust (e.g. ATEX II group).
- CLASSIFICATION OF ZONES AND CATEGORIES
CLASSIFICATION OF THE GAS GROUP
POWDER CLASSIFICATION - There are three “dust groups” defined by the properties of dust:
| Gruppo polveri | Tipo | Caratteristiche |
|---|---|---|
| IIA | Volatile substances combustible materials (fibres) | Finely subdivided solid particles, 500 μm in size or less, which can be suspended in the air, may settle out of the atmosphere under their own weight, may burn or emit air and can form explosive mixtures with air at atmospheric pressure and normal temperatures. |
| IIIB | Non-conductive powders | Conductive powders with the electrical resistivity greater than 103 Ω.m |
| IIIC | Ethylene, hydrogen sulfide… | Conductive powders with an electrical resistivity equal to or less than 103 Ω.m |
