If pressure sensors, pressure transmitters along with other field equipment are used near flammable gases or dust, they may be subject to marking in accordance with the ATEX product guideline 94/9/EC. ATEX requires the sort label of the sensor to add the ATEX marking, so usually that is labelled directly onto the sensor during production.
Close to the Notified Body and the approval number, the marking of pressure sensors also includes important information for the user. For Irs , an ?X? after the approval number indicates that special conditions should be observed with all the device. These are either given in the approval document and in the corresponding manual. Most importantly, marking in accordance with ATEX gives home elevators the possible areas of application and the type of protection used for the pressure sensor:
Explosion group:
I Mining industry, II the areas of use Device class:
Use in zone 0/20 in the vicinity of von flammable gases (1G), dust (1D)
Use in zone 1/21 near flammable gases (2G), dust (2D)
Used in zone 2/22 in the vicinity of flammable gases (3G), dust (3D)
However, additionally, there are devices where only certain parts may be installed in other zones, for example, a pressure sensor marked 1/2G could be installed in a tank with flammable content. The electronic section of the transmitter is located externally 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 suitable 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. Should you have any further questions, your contact will gladly assist you to.