Product category:
Hazardous area interfaces, Enclosures
News Release from: Rechner Sensors | Subject: ATEX poster and regulations
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 March 2004
Sensors range meet Atex Zone 20 dust
regulations
A new Rechner catalogue is available that contains information relating to all ATEX certified capacitive sensors: Rechner have also produced a poster that explains fully the new ATEX directive
Industry is generally aware that the new ATEX regulations came into force in July last year However, the application of these regulations in the area classified as Dust Ignition i.e zones 20, 21 and 22 has caused some confusion in industry as combustible dust is classified as anything from sawdust, through flour, to coffee powder
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 7 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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An additional challenge for engineers has been that many products, particularly in the sensing field, do not meet these new regulations.
Rechner Sensors, the specialist sensor manufacturer, has now launched a range of new capacitive sensors that are compliant to the new ATEX regulations category 1D and 2D for installation in zones 20, 21 and 22.
If a suitable Rechner ATEX certified NAMUR sensor is specified the whole sensor can be placed within an area classified as zone 20 assuming an intrinsically safe amplifier is used.
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However, the most common application is where a sensor is mounted through the wall of a vessel to monitor level.
In this example the inside of the vessel is defined as zone 20 but the exterior falls within zone 21.
Standard PNP or NPN sensors can be used in this type of zone 20 application providing only the active surface (sensing head) is within the vessel and the body of the sensor is exterior to the vessel within zones 21 or 22.
This configuration fulfils the requirements for category 1D installation.
These 3- or 4-wire proximity sensors have a supply voltage range of 10 to 30 VDC with pnp or npn output and are ideally suited communicate with all common PLCs.
Sensors for category 1D and 2D are available in M30, M32 and 1" housings.
NAMUR capacitive versions category 2G (for use in gas zone 1) are also available from M8 upward.
The above versions are available with different housing materials and combinations.
The selection of the correct housing material is dependent on the media to be detected.
The versions with stainless steel housing and with PTFE sensing head have become established as standard within the field of bulk materials.
Category Zones are described as.
1G 0 Most explosive! Highest risk for gas.
2G 1 Lower risk.
3G 2 Lowest risk category for gas.
1D 20 Highest risk for dust.
2D 21 Lower risk.
3D 22 Lowest risk for dust.
In addition to capacitive sensors meeting Category 1D, 2D and 2G Rechner also has a range of NAMUR inductive sensors, with housings down to 4mm DIA for category 2G and from M12 and above these are actually dual certified 2G and 1D.
Rechner have produced a poster that explains fully the new ATEX directive.
A new capacitive catalogue is also available that along with many new products across the board, contains the information relating to all the ATEX certified capacitive sensors.
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