<p>LED technology has revolutionized the way lighting equipment for a hazardous environment is designed and manufactured. It has helped improve the safety aspect of such workspaces as well as provide a range of options to industries for various kinds of lighting requirements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, using only LED technology is not enough. All luminaires used in a hazardous environment must meet strict ATEX requirements. ATEX refers to the two European Directives published by <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/atex.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health and Safety Executive, UK</a> for controlling explosive environments.</p>



<h2>What is ATEX LED lighting?</h2>



<p>As per ATEX, hazardous environments are divided into ATEX zone 0 (constant threat), Zone 1 (occasional threat) and Zone 2 (rare threat) based on the explosion hazard. Each of these zones has a different lighting requirement.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hence, explosion proof LED lighting is manufactured following the ATEX guideline by manufacturers across the world. They are resistant to flammable and combustible substances such as gases and dust.&nbsp;</p>



<p>ATEX LED lights are not only able to survive in an explosive atmosphere, they can thrive in them. These lights are fitted with a safety release valve, which releases hydrogen from the torch. If they are battery powered, the battery compartment is fitted with a safety locking system which keeps the battery away from any hazardous substances.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>5 Benefits of using ATEX LED lighting</h2>



<p>While safety remains the primary objective, ATEX LED lighting provides a range of other benefits to the users as well. Let us take a look at some of them.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>1. Energy savings</h3>



<p>LED technology provides similar illumination as traditional lighting, but consumes significantly less energy. Moreover, LED lighting does not require the usage of filters as the light emitted is already brighter. This enables users to use fixtures of lesser wattage and achieve the same kind of lighting. For example, a traditional lamp of 400W can be replaced by a 160W ATEX LED light fixture. This not only provides lighting of the same brightness but also leads to about 60% energy savings.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>2. ATEX &amp; IECEX Certification</h3>



<p>ATEX Directive is an important directive in the European Union which lays down Essential Health and Safety Requirements related to potentially explosive environments. With regards to explosive environment, two ATEX directives are important to look at:</p>



<p>1. ATEX 114 "equipment" Directive 2014/34/EU which deals with equipment and protective systems intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.&nbsp;</p>



<p>2. ATEX 153 "workplace" Directive 1999/92/EC which lays down the minimum requirements for protecting and improving safety and health of workers from the potential risks of explosive atmospheres.</p>



<p>Components essential for the safe use of equipment and safety devices also fall under the purview of the directive.</p>



<p>Broadly speaking, the ATEX directives apply to three kinds of equipment:</p>



<p>i. Those which have their own source of ignition.</p>



<p>ii. Those intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.</p>



<p>iii. Those that operate under normal atmospheric conditions.</p>



<p>Manufacturers and suppliers must ensure that their products meet the health and safety requirements to obtain an ATEX certification. The certification is provided after appropriate testing of products by a third-party certification body known as a Notified Body. However, manufacturers can self-certify Category 2 non-electrical equipment and Category 3 equipment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>IECEx certification, on the other hand, is a global certification based on compliance to IEC standards. The categorization of equipment based on their safety level is known as Equipment Protection Levels (EPLS) in IECEx certification. Although the name differs, the categorization is more or less similar to that of ATEX.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&nbsp;Below is the list of ATEX categories and corresponding EPL category and the zone allocated to each of them:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>EPL</th><th>Zone</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1G</strong></td><td>Ga</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td><strong>2G</strong></td><td>Gb</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td><strong>3G</strong></td><td>Gc</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td><strong>1D</strong></td><td>Da</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td><strong>2D</strong></td><td>Db</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td><strong>3D</strong></td><td>Dc</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td><strong>M1</strong></td><td>Ma</td><td>Energised in gas</td></tr><tr><td><strong>M2</strong></td><td>Mb</td><td>De-energised in gas</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption>ATEX-EPL-Zone Classification</figcaption></figure>



<h2>3. Safety</h2>



<p>Appropriate equipment has to be used based on the environment where it is being installed. For example, a Zone 1 environment requires luminaire appropriate to zone 1 standards and so on.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The most important aspect of safety in these equipment is the method of protection used, which in turn, can have a significant impact on the usage and maintenance of the luminaire. A variety of protection methods can be used. Let’s take a look at a few common ones:&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Increased safety: </strong>Ex e ‘increased safety’ luminaires<strong> </strong>are designed to remain cool while running and prevent sparks, arcs and hotspots from appearing. This kind of protection method ensures that the ignition source cannot arise, thus preventing the risk of explosion. They are ideal for Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>&nbsp;Flameproof:</strong> Ex d ‘flameproof’<strong> </strong>luminaires are assigned the code ‘d’. They are designed to prevent any fire or spark from escaping the enclosure, into the surrounding explosive environments, thus safely containing an explosion and any accompanying pressure. Hence, this protection method is concentrated on containment rather than prevention. They are ideal for Zone 1 environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Intrinsic safety:</strong> All parts of an ex i intrinsic safety luminaire are designed to have the thermal energy and spark lesser than that required for ignition of the explosive environment.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>4. Reduced requirement of maintenance</h3>



<p>A significant factor which contributes to lower operating costs is the reduced requirement for maintenance. Traditionally, ATEX LED lights require only a tenth of the maintenance required for traditional lighting fixtures.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>5. Environment friendly</h3>



<p>Last, but definitely not least, LEDs have an almost nil environmental impact due to the absence of toxic and noxious substances in their constituent components such as gases, sodium, mercury vapour, etc.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, they do not emit heat or ultraviolet radiation which can cause potential damage to human beings. LEDs also do not attract insects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>ATEX LED lighting comes in an extensive variety, suitable for usage for various functions. We suggest giving our article <a href="https://ajvwp.easydesk.work/blog_type/types-of-explosion-proof-lighting/">Types of explosion proof lighting</a> a read to understand the entire range of products available in the market today.&nbsp;</p>

The Advantages of Using ATEX LED lighting

All luminaires used in hazardous environments must meet strict ATEX requirements. Using ATEX LEDs provides significant advantages in terms of safety and compliance.