ATEX Category 3 - Zones 2 and 22

Within the scope of the creation of the explosion protection document (mandatory for the operator according to ATEX 137), production locations must be divided into zones depending on their ignition hazard potential.

ATEX Category 3 Description
Category 3 equipment can be used in zones in which potentially explosive atmospheres do not occur during normal operation or only for a short period of time like zone 2 for gases and zone 22 for dusts. Zone 22 is divided into two kinds of dust:
Conductive dust: use of category 2 equipment
Non-conductive dust: use of category 3 equipment

It is also permitted to use equipment with a higher equipment category rating. However, the procurement of this kind of equipment is more expensive, but it does increase safety and provides you with more flexibility if you frequently change the zone divisions during operation.

Typical zone 2 areas are areas that encompass zone 0 or 1. Typical zone 22 areas are areas in the vicinity of equipment that contain dust which can escape from leaks and form dust deposits in hazardous quantities.