ATEX INSTALLATIONS
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES
ATEX is short for ATmosphères EXplosives (French for “explosive atmospheres”). ATEX is also the abbreviated name for the European Directive 2024/34/CE in relation to the sale of explosion-proof electromechanical equipment, components, and protection systems. It came into force on July the 1st, 2003, and all equipment and protection systems are subject to the directive since then.
The 2014/34/CE Directive applies to the manufacturing of products used in potentially explosive atmospheres. Consequentially, manufacturers have the sole responsibility to ensure that the products within this category comply with the Directive. The ATEX Directive applies to all electromechanical instrumentation and protective systems located in potentially explosive atmospheres.
It also applies to security, control and regulation devices for use outside of potentially explosive atmospheres, which are nevertheless necessary or contribute to a safe use of the protection equipment and systems regarding explosion risks.
Equipment and protection systems included in the 2014/34/CE Directive can only be sold if they have the CE marking alongside a CE certificate of conformity indicating that the basic safety and health requirements have been met, and that the equipment has been tested for compliance. In addition, they must be accompanied by a set of operating instructions.
Electrical installations in explosive atmospheres are regulated partly by the electrotechnical regulations of each country (REBT in the case of Spain, and in particular the BT-29 Technical Guide in its latest 2019 revision), and partly by the 2014/34/CE Directive (the transposed directive in Spain being the Royal Decree 400/1996)
