August 8, 2024

Condition Monitoring with Treon ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc Certified Sensors in Potentially Hazardous Areas

Condition Monitoring with Treon ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc Certified Sensors in Potentially Hazardous Areas

Ensuring safe and efficient operations is paramount, especially in environments where hazardous substances could ignite. Wireless vibration sensors, specifically designed and certified for potentially hazardous environments, play a pivotal role in condition monitoring where explosive materials present significant risk. Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex, an ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc certified sensor, allows for precise condition monitoring through vibration and temperature measurements. This contributes to safe operations by minimizing the risk of igniting hazardous substances. These certified sensors provide essential data for monitoring asset health, optimizing availability, and preventing unexpected equipment failures, all while adhering to safety standards and safeguarding personnel and the environment.

 

Industries benefiting from sensors in hazardous areas

 

Several industries, such as oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceuticals, energy, manufacturing and logistics, and food and beverages may require the use of ATEX, IECE, HazLoc certified sensors in hazardous areas for condition monitoring. In sectors such as oil and gas, sensors in hazardous areas play a pivotal role in safeguarding the operation of pumps, motors, compressors, and turbines. Similarly, in chemical plants, sensors in hazardous areas are essential for monitoring to prevent potential leaks. In manufacturing and logistics, these sensors oversee the smooth functioning of conveyor belts and equipment, enhancing operational safety.

 

Pharmaceutical manufacturing relies heavily on sensors in hazardous areas to ensure compliance with safety standards. Even the food and beverages industry find sensors in hazardous areas invaluable for managing flammable substances and ensuring the safety of production processes. In the energy sector, sensors in hazardous areas are indispensable for monitoring engines and systems, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

 

Across all these diverse industries, sensors in hazardous areas, such as ATEX-certified sensors, bridge the gap between safety regulations and operational efficiency. However, it’s crucial to note that specific requirements may vary based on the environment, highlighting the importance of expert assessment in selecting the appropriate sensors for designated hazardous areas.

 

Navigating safety measures in hazardous areas

 

Potentially explosive atmospheres are divided into zones to account for different levels of risk as illustrated in figure 1 below. This classification allows explosion protection measures to be tailored for both safety engineering and economic efficiency.

 

Safe operation of electrical equipment in these environments relies on a collaborative effort between manufacturers of explosion-protected equipment and operators of industrial plants. These areas contain air filled with potentially flammable substances such as gas, vapor, dust, or mist. To manage risks effectively, hazardous atmospheres are meticulously classified for gas and dust into specific zones.

 

Gas and dust hazard zones

 

Gas zones:

  • Zone 0: Environments constantly or frequently filled with flammable substances.
  •  Zone 1: Areas where flammable substances may appear occasionally during regular operations.
  • Zone 2: Areas where the mixture of air and flammable substances is not typically anticipated during normal operations.

Dust zones:

  • Zone 20: Environments where combustible dust particles are consistently present.
  • Zone 21: Areas where combustible dust may arise during regular operations.
  • Zone 22: Areas where combustible dust is not typically expected during standard operations.

Safety experts start by classifying floor plans to identify hazardous areas and their corresponding zones. Beyond hazardous zones, they also identify non-hazard areas suitable for standard sensor deployment. This comprehensive approach ensures all safety measures are effectively tailored to each environment’s unique requirements.

 

Standards for hazardous environments

 

Ensuring safety in hazardous environments involves adherence to various standards:

1. ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) 

  • Used in the EU for areas with explosive atmospheres.
  • Zones: 0, 1, 2 (gases); 20, 21, 22 (dust).
  • Certification required for equipment in the EU.

2. IECEx

  •  Global certification system for hazardous locations.
  • Accepted internationally; some countries require additional approvals.
  • Classifies locations into zones similar to ATEX.

3. HazLoc

  • Used in the US and Canada.
  • Two classification methods: Class/Division and Zone system.
  • Based on CSA (Canada) and UL (US) standards.
  • Transitioning to IECEx, with Canada using the Zone system for new installations.
Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex: ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc certified sensor

 

Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex is certified for use in Zone 1 and 2 of potentially hazardous areas and Zone 21 and Zone 22 for dust areas, boasting ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc certificates. Its patented technology, guarded by US Patent 11656239, sets it apart from competitors, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability.

This wireless sensor measures tri-axial vibration and surface temperature of rotating equipment, including pumps, motors, and compressors. It is designed to be deployed in potentially hazardous locations, meeting IEC/UL/CSA 60079-0 and IEC/UL/CSA 60079-11 standards. Additionally, it complies with UL 61010-1 and CSA C22.2 general safety standards, which cover the use of the Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex in outdoor, non-hazardous environments.

 

 

Decoding ATEX and IECEx label of Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex: A compliance and safety guide

 

Throughout multiple industries, ensuring the safety of equipment used in explosive environments is paramount. In this guide, we’ll explore the certifications listed on Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex certification markings (see figure 3), focusing on what each part of these ATEX and IECEx standards means for compliance and safety.
Understanding the markings:

 

1. II 2 G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb
  •  Group and category: ‘II’ indicates ATEX Equipment Group II. Equipment in this group is intended for all areas except mines where explosive atmospheres due to gases, vapors, mists, or air/dust are present. ‘2 G’ indicates the equipment category designed for use in Zone 1, where flammable substances are in the form of gases, mists, or vapors.
  • Protection method: ‘Ex ib’ indicates explosion protection. ‘I’ signifies intrinsically safe equipment, which allows for safe operation in hazardous areas by limiting the electrical or thermal energy available for ignition. ‘b’ indicates the product is classified for Zone 1.
  • Explosion group: ‘IIC’ means the device is suitable for gases, mists, and vapors from explosion groups IIA, IIB, and IIC.
  • Temperature class: ‘T4’ denotes that the equipment’s surface temperature will not exceed 135°C.
  • Protection level: ‘Gb’ indicates the equipment protection level for Zone 1 for gases, mists, and vapors.
2. II 2 D Ex ib IIIC T135°C Db
  •  Category: ‘2 D’ indicates the equipment category designed for use in Zone 21, where flammable substances are in the form of dust.
  • Explosion group: ‘IIIC’ covers dust codes IIIC, suitable for conductive dust, and non-conductive dust.
  • Temperature limit: ‘T135°C’ shows the maximum surface temperature the equipment can reach.
  • Protection level: ‘Db’ indicates the equipment protection level for Zone 21 for dust.
3. Ambient temperature range

-40°C ≤ Ta ≤ +60°C: This specifies the ambient temperature range within which the equipment can safely operate, from -40°C to +60°C. Additionally, the surface mounting temperature of the device must not exceed +60°C.

 

4.Class/Divisions

Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex is certified for the Class/Division and Zone systems in the US and Canada, as indicated by the markings referred to in Figure 3.
In conclusion, utilizing certified sensors such as the Treon Industrial Node 6 Ex in hazardous environments is primarily a matter of compliance with safety regulations, and it can play a vital role in enhancing operational safety and efficiency. These sensors are specifically designed to operate within hazardous areas, enabling wireless monitoring of assets in environments where safety is paramount. Adopting such advanced technologies reflects an organization’s commitment to safety, equipment longevity, and environmental protection, ultimately contributing to a culture of responsibility and innovation in the face of inherent dangers.

 

Certification details:

 

• EU-Type Examination Certificate Number: EESF 21 ATEX 014X
• IECEx Certificate Number: IECEx EESF 21.0009X
• MET Listing Number: E115489

Read more about the solution and products:

 

Read how Wirepas Mesh has helped our partners in various domains to implement large-scale IoT deployments

Visit Treon products page to learn more about Treon’s sensors

Read more about Treon Aito at: https://treon.fi/treon-aito-platform/

 

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