ATEX/IECEx Markings Explained

To comply with ATEX/IECEx regulations, all equipment and protective systems that are used in hazardous
areas must be marked legibly and indelibly with a specific set of letters/numbers. Together, these letters/
numbers specify the exact criteria that a product meets in relation to those ATEX/IECEx regulations,
and so determines the type of environments that they are safe to operate in.

LCM Systems Certificate Markings

Ingress Protection
Protection Concepts Level
Equipment group Temperature (table 6)
(table 1) (table 3)
Classification
Gas - G (table 5)
Dust - D
Technical Information Sheet

Gases II 2 G Ex d IIC T6 Gb IP6x Tamb -20°C to +55 °C

Dusts II 2 D Ex tb IIIC T85°C Db IP6x Tamb -20°C to +55 °C
Explosion
Proof Ambient Temperature
ATEX Category Sub-group
(table 2) (table 4) Range
Equipment
Protection Level
(tables 1 & 3)

Table 1 - Equipment Groups

There are two equipment groups - Group I, which concerns mines and is very restrictive due to the
highly volatile methane gas and dusts present, and Group II, which relates to all other above ground
industries.

Equipment Groups
Equipment Equipment Atmosphere Level of Required Protection
Equipment
Group Category Protection Type Ignition Performance &
(ATEX) Level Protection Operation
Gas Dust

I MI Ma Ma Methane & Dust Very High Two faults, remain energised

& functioning

I M2 Mb Mb Methane & Dust High Severe normal operation,

de-energise in explosive
atmosphere

II 1 Ga Da Gas, Vapour, Mist, Dust Very High Two faults

II 2 Gb Db Gas, Vapour, Mist, Dust High One fault

II 3 Gc Dc Gas, Vapour, Mist, Dust Low Normal operation

LCM SYSTEMS
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 ATEX/IECEx Markings Explained

Table 6 - Ingress Protection

This rating system (or IP code) is defined by the letters IP followed by two 'characteristic' numbers. The first
number identifies the degree of protection against solid foreign objects and the second number refers to
its protection against liquids.

Ingress Protection
Level Protected Against Solid Particle Ingress Protection (First Digit of Code)

0 - No protection against contact and ingress of objects

1 >50 mm Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection
against deliberate contact with a body part
2 >12.5 mm Fingers or similar objects
3 >2.5 mm Tools, thick wires etc.
4 > 1mm Most wires, screws etc.
5 Dust protected Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient

Technical Information Sheet

quantity to interfere with the safe operation of the equipment; complete
protection against contact
6 Dust tight No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

Level Protected Against Liquid Ingress Protection (Second Digit of Code)

0 Not protected Not necessary
1 Dripping water Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect
2 Dripping water Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is
when tilted up to 15°C tilted at an angle up to 15°C from its normal position
3 Spraying water Water falling as a vertical spray at any angle up to 60°C from the vertical shall
have no harmful effect
4 Splashing water Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful
effect
5 Water jets Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall
have no harmful effects
6 Powerful water jets Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from
any direction shall have no harmful effects
7 Immersion up to 1 mtr Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is
immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1
metre of submersion)
8 Immersion beyond 1 The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under condition
mtr which shall be specified by the manufacturer

Note: IP67 is the standard protection offered by LCM System, however, lower and higher protection is available

LCM Systems Ltd

Unit 15, Newport Business Park
Barry Way, Newport
Isle of Wight PO30 5GY UK
Tel: +44 (0)1983 249264

LCM SYSTEMS Fax: +44 (0)1983 249266

[email protected]
Solutions in Load Cell Technology www.atexloadcell.com