NORD Drivesystems B1000 - Manual (Page 35)

www.nord.com A33 G1000 – Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCTION
ATEX
Information
ATEX Defi nitions
Group
The ATEX directive distinguishes between two equip-
ments groups. Group I applies to equipment intend-
ed for use in mines and Group II applies to all other
areas or the surface industry. NORD offers drives for
Group II.
Category
The equipment category distinguishes the level of
equipment protection needed and if the protection is
for gas-air or dust-air mixtures. ATEX distinguishes
three category levels; 1, 2 and 3 based upon the dura-
tion of exposure to a potentially explosive atmo-
sphere with category 1 being the most dangerous.
Following the category number is a letter G for gas or
D for dust. If dust-air hazards are present, the dust
must be classifi ed as electrically conductive or electri-
cally non-conductive. NORD offers drives for catego-
ries 2G, 2D, 3G and 3D for both conductive and non-
conductive dust areas.
Zones
ATEX guideline 1999/92/EC requires plant operators
and approved authorities to classify places at the
workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur
into hazardous or non-hazardous areas. Hazardous
areas are further divided into zones. Atmospheres
with gas-air mixtures are divided into zones 0, 1, and
2 with zone 0 being the most hazardous. Atmo-
spheres with dust-air mixtures are divided into zones
20, 21, and 22 with zone 20 being the most hazard-
ous.
ATEX Directive
94/9 EC, 1999/92/EC
Equipment and Worker Protection Directives
Group II
(Surface Industry)
Group I
(Mines)
Category M1 Category M2
Category 1
Zone 0
(Gas)
Zone 20
(dust)
Hazard
Presence
Continuous
Category 2
Zone 1
(Gas)
Zone 21
(dust)
Hazard
Presence
Occasional
Category 3
Zone 2
(gas)
Zone 22
(dust)
Hazard
Presence
Abnormal
NORD drives not available for these
hazardous areas
NORD offers drives for these
hazardous areas
The relationship between workplace Zones and equipment Categories is defi ned in the table below.
Zone
(workplace)
Category
(equipment)
Atmospheric
Hazard
Defi nition
Exposure
(hours/year)
Does NORD
offer drives?
0 1G Gas Explosive atmosphere is present continuously or
frequently due to malfunctions.
> 1000 No
20 1D Dust
1 2G Gas Explosive atmosphere is present occasionally or due to
anticipated malfunctions.
10 … 1000 Yes
21 2D Dust
2 3G Gas Explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur in normal opera-
tion and if it does occur, it will be for a short period of time.
< 10 Yes
22 3D Dust