FAQ

Definition of an ATEX: ATmosphères EXplosives is a mixture with air under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts, in which, after ignition, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

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– Presence of an oxidizer and a fuel
Oxidizer: air (contains 21% oxygen).
Fuel: flammable substance in the form of gas, vapour or dust.

– The mixture must be explosive
To be explosive, the mixture must be neither too lean nor too rich in fuel. Combustion can only occur if the fuel concentration is between the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL).

– Explosion of an explosive atmosphere
In this case, the explosion may be triggered by an ignition source. However, an ignition source can only generate an explosion if it has a sufficiently high energy level (EMI), or a sufficiently high temperature.

By acting on one of the following components:

• Elimination of explosive atmosphere
• Eliminating the source of ignition
• Non-propagation of inflammation

Its aims are global security, open markets and technical progress. What prevails is the best possible protection for employees and industrial goods.

• Directive 1999/92/EC of 16/12/99 describes the employer’s obligations (protection of people) and the classification of (hazardous) areas.
  
• Directive 94/9/EC of 23/03/94 describes the requirements for the manufacture of equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres. Manufacturers of equipment for hazardous areas are obliged to adapt their technology to the regulations in force.

It has been mandatory since July 1, 2003. Existing sites had until July 2006 to meet the essential safety requirements (see directives).

It therefore applies to electrical and mechanical equipment (new) and is mandatory in all EEC countries where there is a risk of flammable gas or dust.
ATEX equipment must be marked accordingly – Example: ATEX CE 600 EX II 2 GD EExd IIC T6

Classification of hazardous areas.
This classification is a requirement of Directive 19999/92/EC. Zones are three-dimensional spaces delimited and classified according to the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere. Classification is always the responsibility of the plant manager. Click here to discover the classification.

The Temperature Class (T1 to T6) is the maximum surface temperature the product can reach. Electrical equipment in use contains electronic components, capacitors, resistors, etc., and can emit heat (see table A below).

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In preparation.

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SIL stands for ” Safety Integrity Level“. The corresponding standard is IEC 61508.

There are 4 SILs, depending on the level of safety required. SIL 4 is the highest. During a process risk assessment, the site manager determines the appropriate SIL level. In this case, the unloading phase is crucial, and SIL 2 corresponds to “major consequence and protection of production”.

SIL 2 means aprobability of failure of less than 1 in 1 million! Our latest truck grounding system, the RTR 2010, is SIL 2! It’s the best system on the market.

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You can of course contact us for more information.

Did you know that Law No. 2005-102 of February 11, 2005 came into force on April 24, 2010?

The purpose of this law is to protect disabled people, particularly the hearing impaired. What are the implications for your company?

The law has long required audible alarms to deliver the standardized NFS 32-001 signal. Now, this alarm must be coupled with a strobe-type warning light. This is to warn people for whom the sound signal is not sufficient.
A solution exists: the SONOS LED sound and light combination.

In preparation.

You can of coursecontact for more information.

MEDC has been designing explosion-proof electrical equipment for over 35 years. For over 15 years, MEDC has been using GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) to manufacture a wide range of equipment. Since 1996, after more than 5 years of research and development, MEDC has established itself as the world’s leading manufacturer of GRP-based explosion-proof equipment.

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The law has long required audible alarms to deliver the standardized NFS 32-001 signal. Now, this alarm must be coupled with a strobe-type warning light. This is to warn people for whom the audible signal is not sufficient.
There’s a solution: the SONOS LED light and sound combo.

In preparation.

You can of coursecontact for more information.