Workforces operating in the world’s most hazardous environments require mobile communications devices that can be used without the risk of causing an explosion. The Aegex platform includes devices that are Intrinsically Safe (IS) - incapable of creating enough heat or a spark sufficient to ignite the work environment.
Aegex IS devices are purpose-built for explosive environments, meaning their configuration makes impossible the generation of heat sufficient for ignition. Our IS devices are certified ATEX Zone 1, IECEx Zone 1 and Class I, II, III Division 1. Users in critical zones of operation can work safely and efficiently without worrying that their Aegex communication device will cause an explosion.
Read full details of our devices’ Certifications.
Global Standards
*This map represents intrinsic safety certifications. Countries may require other certifications or approval for market entry.
Worldwide, strict regulations exist for equipment used in explosive and hazardous atmospheres.
Any mobile device intended for use in a hazardous location must pass stringent certification testing to determine in which HazLoc zone(s) it may be safely used. Intrinsic safety ratings differ signifi- cantly from country to country – a device that is certified intrinsical- ly safe for use in the United States may not be certified in Europe or elsewhere. And just because a device is rated intrinsically safe does not mean it can enter into any zone – each intrinsically safe device can only be used in the specific hazardous environment for which it is approved.
In North America, hazardous locations are categorized into classes and divisions, with Class 1 Division 1 being an area that is expected to contain explosive mixtures of gases, vapors, or liquids during normal working operations. Class 1 Division 2 areas are those where flammable liquids and gases are handled but are not normally present in explosive concentrations, though an accident could make such concentrations possible. Class 1 Division 2 areas may contain explosive gases that could escape from adjacent C1D1 areas.
In most of the world outside of North America, hazardous locations are divided into classes as well as zones, with Zone 0 being the most explosive area in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors are always present or present for long periods of time. Zone 1 areas likely, but do not always, contain concentrations of flammable materials. Flammable concentrations of gases are not likely to exist in Zone 2 areas or may occur only for short periods and are hazardous only under unusual circumstances.
Simply put, if a device enters the wrong zone of a hazardous environment, it could cause a fire or explosion.
If a Zone 2-approved device enters a Zone 1 area, for example, the electric current and/or the thermal characteristic of the device could cause a spark, igniting flammable material that is present in the air as a result of repair work, maintenance or leaks. A C1D2 device entering a C1D1 area also poses a hazard because explosive concentrations of flammable materials that are present may be ignited. However, devices approved for highly explosive areas (Zone 1 or C1D1, for example) can be used in lower-risk areas (Zone 2 or C1D2) where concentrations of flammable materials are not as likely to be a threat.
Needless to say, a fire or explosion in certain industrial locations could be catastrophic, risking lives, information, and physical as- sets, and potentially costing billions in capital. Selecting the correct device for each area of a hazardous location is, therefore, of utmost importance for maintaining safe and secure industrial environmental. Devices approved by ATEX or IECEx for Zone 1, or those approved for C1D1 areas, are certified to be incapable of igniting a spark, and therefore incapable of causing a fire or explosion when used in the appropriate atmospheres.
By employing properly certified devices, personnel can share information in real time, even in the most explosive zones of industrial operations. With improved connectivity, organizations can increase productivity, lower risk, and positively impact their bottom line.
Lives matter. Property matters. Information matters. Intrinsic safety is key to protecting an organization’s most important assets.
EC type-examination certificate | |||||
Explosive atmosphere | Behaviour of flammable substances in the Ex area | Categorization of potentially explosive areas |
ATEX II (2)GRequired labeling of the used items in accordance with CENELEC |
EPL | |
Equipment group | Equipment category | Equipment protection level | |||
Coal mine atmosphere | Parts of coal mines endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust | I | M1 | Ma | |
I | M2 | Mb | |||
Atmosphere from Gas/Fog/Liquid | Continuous, long periods, frequent | Zone 0 | II | 1G, (1)G | Ga |
Occasional | Zone 1 | II | 2G, (1)G | Gb | |
Normally not, only for a short period | Zone 2 | II | 3G, (3)G | Gc | |
Dust atmosphere | Continuous, long periods, frequent | Zone 20 | II | 1D, (1)D | Da |
Occasional | Zone 21 | II | 2D, (1)D | Db | |
Normally not, only for a short period | Zone 22 | II | 3D, (3)D | Dc |
Ex identification acc. to standard (example) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IECEx certificate number IECEx 60079: Ex ib IIC T6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conditions in potentially explosive areas | |||||
Flammable Substances | Class | Division | Group | Eqv. Zone | Temporary behavior of the flammable substance in the Ex area |
Gas Fog Liquid | Class I | 1 | A,B,C,D | 0 or 1 | Continuos, long periods, frequent |
Occasional | |||||
2 | A,B,C,D | 2 | Normally not, only for short periods | ||
Dust | Class II | 1 | E,F,G | 20 or 21 | Continuos, long periods, frequent |
Occasional | |||||
2 | f,G | 22 | Normally not, only for short periods | ||
Fibers | Class III | 1 | 20 or 21 | Constant | |
Occasional | |||||
2 | f,G | 22 | Normally not, only for short periods |
Conditions in Ex areas | |||||
Typical gas/Dust | Identification NEC 505 | Indentification NEC 500 | |||
Methane | I | Mining | |||
Propane | II A | Class 1/GP D | |||
Ethylene | II B | Class/GP C | |||
Hydrogen | II B+H2 | Class 1/GP B | |||
Acetylene | II C | Class 1/GP A | |||
Fibers and flyings | III A | Class III | |||
Non-conductive | III B | Class II/GP G | |||
Carbonaceous dusts | III B | Class II/GP F | |||
Metal dusts | III C | Class II/GP E |
Permissible surface temperature | |||||
Temperature class | Gas | Ignition temperature | |||
T1=450
T2=300 T2A=280 T2B=260 T2C=230 T2D=215 T3=200 T3A=180 T3B=165 T3C=160 T4=135 T4C=120 T5=100 T6=85 |
Ammonia | 630oC | |||
Methane | 595oC | ||||
Hydrogen | 560oC | ||||
Propane | 470oC | ||||
Ethylene | 425oC | ||||
Butane | 365oC | ||||
Acetylene | 305oC | ||||
Cyclohexane | 259oC | ||||
Diethyl ether | 170oC | ||||
Carbon disulfide | 95oC |
Protection Type | |||||||||||
Types of risks for electrical devices in potentially gas explosive areas | Protection Principle | CENELEC?IEC | Zone | FM | UL | Class, Zone, Div. | Application | ||||
ia, ib, ic, iaD, ibD, icD | intrinsic safety | Limiting the ignition energy | EN 60079-11 IEC 60079-11 |
0,1 or 2 | FM 3600 / ISA 12.02.01 | UL 60079-11 | Class I, Zone 0,1 | Measurement, control and regulation technology, sensors, actuators, instrumentation | |||
FM 3610 | UL 913 | Class 1, Div. 1 | |||||||||
nA | Non-sparking | No arcs, sparks or hot surfaces | EN 60079-15 IEC 60079-15 |
2 | FM 3611 | UL 1604 | Class 1, Div 2 | ||||
ISA 12.12.02 | UL 60079-15 | Zone 2 | |||||||||
nC | Non-incendive | Contain the explosion, quench the flame | EN 60079-15 IEC 60079-15 |
2 | FM 3600/ISA 12.12..02 | UL 60079-15 | Class 1, Zone 2 | Zone 2 only |
IP codes define the ability of an object to resist dust and water. The scale in this instance is from 4 to 6 . The first number indicates dust resistance, the second is water resistance. For example: IP44 indicates dust resistant, splash resistant; while IP65 means dust-proof and washdown capable.
First number
(Protection against solid objects) |
Definition | Second number
(Protection against solid objects) |
Definition |
0 |
No protection |
0 | No protection |
1 |
Protected against solids objects over 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands |
1 |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water |
2 |
Protected against solids objects over 12mm (e.g. fingers) |
2 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 15o from the vertical |
3 |
Protected against solids objects over 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires) |
3 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 60o from the vertical |
4 |
Protected against solids objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires |
4 |
Protected against sprays from all directions – limited ingress permitted |
5 |
Protected against dust – limited ingress (no harmful deposit) |
5 |
Protected against low-pressure jets if water from all directions – limited ingress permitted |
6 |
Totally protected against dust |
6 |
Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on shipdecks – limited ingress permitted |
|
7 |
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m. Duration of test 30 minutes |
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8 |
Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure |