If pressure sensors, pressure transmitters and other field equipment are used near flammable gases or dust, they may be subject to marking relative to the ATEX product guideline 94/9/EC. ATEX requires the sort label of the sensor to add the ATEX marking, so usually this is labelled directly onto the sensor during production.
Next to the Notified Body and the approval number, the marking of pressure sensors also contains important information for the user. For example, an ?X? after the approval number indicates that special conditions should be observed with all the device. They are either given in the approval document and in the corresponding manual. Above all, marking according to ATEX gives info on the possible regions of application and the type of protection useful for the pressure sensor:
Explosion group:
I Mining industry, II the areas useful Device class:
Use in zone 0/20 near von flammable gases (1G), dust (1D)
Use in zone 1/21 near flammable gases (2G), dust (2D)
Used in zone 2/22 near flammable gases (3G), dust (3D)
However, additionally, there are devices where only certain parts could be installed in other zones, for instance, a pressure sensor marked 1/2G could be installed in a tank with flammable content. Agonizing is located on the outside of the tank, and thus in zone 1.
Examples for forms of protection:
i intrinsic safety (Limitation of electrical ignition energy by limiting current and voltage)
ia for Zone 0 or Zone 20 (for Zone 20 also iaD)
ib for Zone 1 or Zone 21 (for Zone 21 also ibD)
ic for Zone 2 d
flameproof / explosion proof enclosure, suitable for zone 1/21 and 2/22 n
non-incendive, suitable for zone 2/22 m
encapsulation ideal for zone 1/21 and 2/22 Gas group and temperature class: i.e. IIC T1 for hydrogen
Note:
Further information on the subject of hydrogen are available on the WIKA website. In Encouraged have any further questions, your contact will gladly help you.