Variable speed drives in Class I hazardous environments?

[elhead]

I am curious if anyone has had recent experience applying mechanical 'Disc-Trac' type mechanical variable speed drives in a Class I Div. 2 area. I have felt that the possiblility of sparking (if the friction disc drive fails), or excessive heating of disc components makes it difficult to apply them in Classified environments. Has anyone succesfully applied this type of variable speed drive and recieved approval from the 'A.H.J.'?

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Equipment cannot be applied in some hazardous environments without the manufacturer literature confirming its suitability for the environment. Often, NEMA standards are cited, indicating that the equipment is suitable for such classified hazardous environment.

 

[cloggs]

All electrical equipment being placed in Hazardous area must be ATEX certified as from the 01 July this is mandatory.
You will be required to put together a risk asessment analysis and maybe a technical dossier depending on the zone of the area.
If Zone 1 the technical dossier will need to be submitted to a notified bodie.

 

[RadarRay]

Is this ATEX certification required only in Europe?

 

[cloggs]

Correct the ATEX directive only applies to countrys with in the EU. I have had past experience with companys situated outside the EU but owned by large pharmaceutical companys in the EU, therefore adopting there rules and regs, and demanding ATEX certification.
So be careful always check. There can be massive extra costs.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/atex/

etc. for more info