• ATEX is an abbreviation for “ATmosphere EXplosible”.
• At the same time, ATEX is the abbreviated name of the European Directive 2014/34/EU concerning the placing on the market of explosion-proof electrical and mechanical equipment, components and protective systems. It came into force on 1 July 2003, and all new equipment and protective systems have been subject to it since that date.

EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE

Explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

Some causes of ignition can be as follows:

• Hot surfaces
• Hot flames or gases (exhaust fumes)
• Electric material (arcs, sparks, temperatures)
• Electrostatic charges
• Mechanical sparks

While ATEX Directives have been applied as a voluntary standard since 1 March 1996, now it brought obligation about Atex Approval for all products sold for use in explosive atmospheres and has  symbol from July 1, 2003.

User 99/92/EC

• Workplaces where explosive atmospheres can be created
• Classification in areas
• Groups and categories ofdevices and protective systems to use in every area

Manufacturer 2014/34/EU

• Devices and protections sytems destined to be used in potentially explosive atmosphere
• Groups and categories
• Essential safety requirements