Atmosphères Explosibles (ATEX)

Oberhaching, January 2024

Atmosphères Explosibles (ATEX)

Safety requirements for industrial transponders in potentially explosive atmospheres

ATEX stands for "Atmosphères Explosibles" and refers to two EU directives (94/9/EC and 99/92/EC) that define the safety requirements for equipment and protective systems in potentially explosive atmospheres. These directives apply to companies operating in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as chemical plants, oil refineries, mines, oil and gas production plants and other industrial facilities where flammable gases, vapors or dusts may be present. We are talking about potentially explosive air mixtures that can form wherever flammable liquids or gases are processed.
The same danger also exists where fine dusts can enter a closed air space in sufficient quantities, for example in mining or 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 ignition source from an electrostatic charge can be enough to trigger a devastating detonation.

ATEX guidelines are divided into two categories:

1. ATEX 95 (2014/34/EU): This directive concerns manufacturers who produce equipment and products used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It specifies the requirements for the construction and marking of such products.
ATEX 137 (99/92/EC): This directive concerns the safety and protection of employees working in potentially explosive atmospheres. It specifies the requirements for workplace design and occupational health and safety.

In order to comply with the ATEX directives, companies must take extensive appropriate and active safety measures. These include the use of explosion-protected devices and systems, employee training, carrying out risk assessments and creating explosion protection documents. All protective measures are important to prevent any sparking with 100% certainty.

Potential sources of danger for industrial transponders

There are two potential sources of danger that need to be investigated and ruled out. One is the electrostatic characteristics of the housing material.
A spark after static charging due to friction occurs when electrical charges accumulate on the surface of an object due to friction between two materials and then a discharge occurs in the form of a flashover. If the charged materials are close to a point that allows a discharge, such as a metallic surface or another conductive object, a flashover can occur. This flashover causes an abrupt discharge of the built-up electrical charges in the form of a visible spark, accompanied by a crackling or crackling sound.

The second source of danger is the behavior of the chip, both under normal conditions and in the event of a fault due to high field energies. Where excessive energy is absorbed and causes the chip and housing to heat up, it reaches a critical ignition temperature

Special requirements for industrial transponders in explosion-protected areas

smart-TEC RFID transponders are certified for explosion-proof areas and are used wherever flammable dust, dust-air mixtures or gases occur temporarily or during normal operation

Industrial transponders from smart-TEC can be developed, designed and produced according to customer requirements in terms of colors, designs and mounting options. In addition to static pre-printed content such as a logo, the label can be freely personalized. A UID/EPC as plain text, a barcode or a 2D code, e.g. data matrix or QR code, can be easily implemented. The printed label is transparently cast inside the transponder. Finally, the print is coated with a PU layer to protect it from mechanical and weather-related stresses. Each RFID transponder is provided with a clearly traceable label in accordance with the ATEX directive.

The attachment of the RFID transponder can also be highly customized. Gluing, screwing, riveting, a wire or cable tie solution - all options are available to ensure robust and durable identification.

smart-TEC can optimally meet ATEX requirements thanks to different product variations with different product structures and different frequencies. The coverage of a wide range of marking options and numerous application possibilities is guaranteed - including metallic substrates.

Production and certification Made in Germany

Our production and development in Mindelheim, Allgäu and our sales location in Oberhaching are equipped with modern technologies and are subject to strict internal and external quality controls. Our high level of quality in the production process is regularly checked and confirmed by audits. The RFID and NFC products are ex-protection certified according to EN IEC 60079-0 and EN IEC 60079-11, enabling us to manufacture RFID and NFC transponders that meet the highest demands and the high standard expected of "Made in Germany".

Compliance with ATEX directives is crucial as it helps to minimize the risk of explosions in industrial environments, which in turn increases the safety of employees and equipment.

It is important to keep up to date with the current requirements and regulations relating to ATEX in each country and industry, as these change over time.