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2014/34/EU
ATEX Product Directive
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1999/92/EC
ATEX Workplace Directive
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Zone 0–22
Gas & dust areas
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B2B
Trade customers only
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⚠ ATEX & Explosion Protection – managing explosive atmospheres safely
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An explosive atmosphere forms when flammable gases, vapours, mists or airborne dust mix with atmospheric oxygen to create an ignitable mixture. If such a mixture meets an effective ignition source – sparks, hot surfaces, electrostatic discharge or open flames – an explosion with serious injury and property damage can result. Effective explosion protection therefore acts on at least one of two levers: avoiding ignitable mixtures or avoiding effective ignition sources. ATEX (from the French ATmosphères EXplosibles) is the European legal framework for explosion protection. It rests on two EU directives: the Product Directive 2014/34/EU for equipment and protective systems, and the Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC for the protection of workers. (The UK DSEAR regulations are the national transposition in the United Kingdom and do not apply EU-wide.) Explosion protection advice: +49 (0)7666 / 88499-0 | sales@industry-electronics.com |
The two ATEX directives
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Employer duties under the ATEX Workplace Directive
Directive 1999/92/EC requires operators to systematically identify, eliminate or control explosion risks in the workplace.
| 🔍 Identify hazards Identify flammable substances and assess which explosive atmospheres can occur. | 🛡 Eliminate / control risk Avoid ignition sources and substance release; where not feasible, apply technical and organisational measures. | 📍 Classify & mark zones Classify hazardous areas into zones, mark them with the EX warning sign and control access. | ||
| 📝 Explosion protection document Document the risk assessment, zone classification and protection concept in writing and keep them current. | 🧮 Personnel & PPE Instruct workers and equip them with antistatic, zone-appropriate protective clothing in Ex areas. | 🔧 Suitable equipment Use only ATEX-compliant equipment of the correct category – find matching articles under Ex installation material. | ||
What is an explosive atmosphere?
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An explosive atmosphere is a mixture of air and flammable substances (gases, vapours, mists or dusts) under atmospheric conditions that, once ignited, continues to burn on its own. Atmospheric conditions are typically a temperature range of –20 °C to +60 °C and a pressure of roughly 0.8 to 1.1 bar. An explosion requires three factors simultaneously (the „fire triangle“): a flammable substance, oxygen and an effective ignition source. If the substance concentration lies between the lower and upper explosion limit (LEL/UEL), the mixture is ignitable. Explosion protection deliberately breaks this triangle. |
Typical hazardous areas
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Ex zones – classification by frequency
Hazardous areas are divided into zones according to the likelihood and duration of an explosive atmosphere – separately for gases/vapours (G) and dusts (D). Each zone is assigned an equipment category.
| Occurrence of explosive atmosphere | Gas / vapour | Dust | Equipment category |
| Continuously, for long periods or frequently | Zone 0 | Zone 20 | 1G / 1D |
| Occasionally in normal operation | Zone 1 | Zone 21 | 2G / 2D |
| Rarely and only for short periods | Zone 2 | Zone 22 | 3G / 3D |
G = gas/vapour · D = dust. Example filling station: high risk inside the fuel tank (Zone 0), decreasing across the dispensing area (Zone 1) to the wider surroundings (Zone 2).
Equipment groups & categories
The Product Directive 2014/34/EU classifies equipment by place of use (group) and required safety level (category).
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Group I – mining (underground)
Mines endangered by firedamp (methane) and coal dust M1 – very high safety, continued operation even when an explosive atmosphere occurs.
M2 – high safety, de-energised when an explosive atmosphere occurs. |
Group II – other hazardous areas
Gas, vapour and dust atmospheres in industry & trade Cat. 1 – Zone 0/20 · very high safety.
Cat. 2 – Zone 1/21 · high safety. Cat. 3 – Zone 2/22 · normal safety. |
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Group III – dust atmospheres (equipment outside mining) III A combustible flyings / lint · III B non-conductive dust · III C conductive dust. The subdivision determines the permissible type of protection for dust-hazardous areas (Zones 20/21/22). |
Temperature classes (Group II, gases)
The maximum surface temperature of equipment must always remain below the ignition temperature of the surrounding substance. The temperature class states the highest permissible surface temperature.
| Class | Max. surface temperature | Example substances (ignition temperature) |
| T1 | 450 °C | Methane/natural gas (≈ 595 °C), propane (470 °C) |
| T2 | 300 °C | Acetylene (305 °C), ethanol |
| T3 | 200 °C | Petrol (≈ 220–280 °C), diesel (≈ 220 °C) |
| T4 | 135 °C | Diethyl ether (175 °C), acetaldehyde |
| T5 | 100 °C | Substances with ignition temperature > 100 °C |
| T6 | 85 °C | Carbon disulphide (95 °C) |
Types of protection & explosion groups
Types of protection (per EN / IEC 60079) describe the design principle by which equipment prevents ignition. The explosion group ranks gases by their ease of ignition.
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Explosion groups (gases)
Group II C equipment also covers II A and II B. For dust, groups III A–C apply analogously.
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Reading the ATEX marking
Every compliant item carries a marking that reveals its zone of use, protection principle and substance suitability. Example:
| ◎ II 2 G Ex db II C T4 Gb |
| II Equipment group |
2 Category (Zone 1/21) |
G Gas (D = dust) |
db Type of protection |
II C Explosion group |
T4 Temperature class |
Gb Protection level (EPL) |
Matching products for explosion protection
ATEX-compliant equipment and installation components for your hazardous areas – straight from our B2B range.
| 🔌 Ex installation material Ex-protected switches, terminal boxes, connectors, cable glands and distributors for Zone 1/2 and 21/22. | 💡 Ex luminaires Explosion-protected luminaires and emergency lighting for gas- and dust-hazardous areas. |
🔧 Individual expert advice
Did not find what you need? We support you with zone assessment, category selection and procurement. 📧 sales@industry-electronics.com |
Frequently asked questions about ATEX
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What does the abbreviation ATEX stand for? ATEX derives from the French ATmosphères EXplosibles and denotes the EU legal framework for explosion protection – comprising the Product Directive 2014/34/EU and the Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC. |
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What is the difference between the two ATEX directives? The Product Directive 2014/34/EU addresses manufacturers and governs the design of equipment and protective systems. The Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC addresses employers and governs the protection of workers. |
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Which equipment category belongs in which zone? Category 1 for Zone 0/20, Category 2 for Zone 1/21 and Category 3 for Zone 2/22. Equipment of a higher (safer) category may also be used in zones of lower risk. |
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Do the UK DSEAR regulations apply in the EU? No. DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, 2002) is the national transposition in the United Kingdom. In the EU the ATEX directives apply, implemented at national level in each member state. |
| Note: This page is for general information and does not replace a competent risk assessment. The binding zone classification and equipment selection are made within the explosion protection document. – Questions about our ATEX range? +49 (0)7666 / 88499-0 | sales@industry-electronics.com |