Ex-protection certified RFID/NFC tags for ATEX zones

The same danger also exists where fine dusts can enter a closed air space in sufficient quantities, e.g. in mining or during grinding processes in grain mills. If such gases, vapors or dusts collect in enclosed spaces and mix with atmospheric oxygen, explosive atmospheres can occur. Even a small spark from an electrostatic charge can be enough to trigger a devastating detonation.

In such environments, employees must be protected by extensive active measures. In addition to aspects of respiratory protection technology, electrical protection measures in particular are needed to prevent any sparking with 100% certainty.

Special requirements for industrial transponders

For RFID use in potentially explosive atmospheres, special requirements are placed on the RFID tags used. There are two potential sources of danger that need to be investigated and ruled out. One is the electrostatic characteristic of the housing material (sparking after static charging due to friction) and the other is the behavior of the chip, both under normal conditions and in the event of a fault due to high field energies. 

Electrostatic charge – risk posed by PU encapsulation

Plastics such as polyurethane have excellent protective and insulating properties. However, friction, movement or cleaning processes can lead to electrostatic charge.

If a discharge occurs, there is a risk of sparking – and thus of igniting the surrounding atmosphere. For this reason, the electrostatic effect of RFID tags with PU encapsulation must be comprehensively tested and evaluated as part of Ex certification.

Heating of the RFID chip – an underestimated source of energy

Passive RFID tags consist of semiconductors and antenna structures that are supplied with energy by the electromagnetic field of the reader during readout. This causes a slight but measurable heating of the chip. In hazardous areas, however, even a local increase in temperature can be enough to ignite gas or dust atmospheres.

Explosion protection for RFID tags is much more than a formal process. Both the heating of the semiconductor chip and the electrostatic charging of the PU encapsulation are ignition sources that must be actively prevented.

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Industrial tags from smart-TEC

Thanks to various product variants with customised designs and frequencies, smart-TEC can respond optimally to the requirements of customers in the ATEX sector. This allows numerous objects to be reliably marked and a wide range of applications to be implemented – even on metallic surfaces.

smart-TEC RFID tags are certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and are used wherever flammable dust, dust-air mixtures or gases occur temporarily or during normal operation.

smart-TEC industrial tags can be developed, designed and produced to customer specifications in terms of colours, designs and mounting options.  Each RFID tag is provided with a uniquely traceable marking in accordance with the ATEX directive.

In addition to static pre-printed content such as a logo, the label can be freely personalised. A UID/EPC in plain text, a barcode or a 2D code, e.g. data matrix or QR code, can be easily implemented. The printed label is covered with a transparent PU layer inside the tag to protect it from mechanical and weather-related stress. Each RFID tag is provided with a uniquely traceable marking in accordance with the ATEX directive.  

The attachment of the RFID tag can also be customised. Gluing, screwing, riveting, wire or cable tie solutions – all options are available to ensure robust and permanent marking, including on metallic surfaces. 

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smart-TEC certifications

The special feature of industrial tags for explosion-protected areas is that both the RFID tags and the readers used must undergo special certification in order to be approved for potentially explosive working environments. Ex certification involves an independent examination of the housing material and RFID inlay. Directive 94/9/EC tests and approves electrical equipment and Directive 2014/34/EU also tests and approves non-electrical equipment in Class II (industry) and Class I (mining). The application of this directive is very often indicated by the use of a standardized logo. Our high level of quality in the production process is regularly checked and confirmed by audits. The RFID/NFC products are EX-protection certified in accordance with EN IEC 60079-0 and EN IEC 60079-11.

When certifying RFID tags for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, the following points must be verified:

• The maximum surface temperature is clearly defined and tested.
• No hot spots may arise due to energy absorption in the electromagnetic field.
• The PU encapsulation enables safe heat dissipation.

Without this evidence, even a passive industrial RFID tag can become a potential source of ignition!

smart-TEC ensures that our industrial RFID tags can be used without hesitation in Ex zones thanks to careful and conscientious ATEX/IECEx and UKEx certification. In addition to our RFID tags, we have also had our production facility in Mindelheim (Allgäu) certified for explosion protection. This ensures that our production is explosion-proof-compliant from goods receipt to delivery to our customers.

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