ATEX-certified relays for explosive environments

Inelco Hunter offers a range of ATEX-certified relays to satisfy safety concerns in potentially explosive environments. This range of relays complies with ATEX directives and IEC 60079 standards to ensure improved protection against ignition risks in hazardous settings.

The European Union mandates compliance with ATEX directives IEC 60079-1 and IEC 60079-15 to ensure the safety of electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres. During relay operation, arcing between contacts can occur. When combined with flammable gases like R290 in combination with air, arcing could ignite and potentially generate explosions. To mitigate this risk, relays employed in such environments must be explosion-proof. FCL Components ATEX-approved relays have undergone rigorous testing according to the IEC 60079 standards.

Hazardous areas are classified into three zones (0, 1 and 2) based on risk. These ATEX-approved relays are specifically developed for Zone 2 applications (classed as low-risk areas with minimal likelihood of explosion). Current ratings for the relays range from 5A to 16A. The Flux-proof plastic-sealed enclosures provide a slim, low-profile design.

These relays use high-resistance plastic materials to improve fire and ignition protection, effectively mitigating risks associated with overcurrent and short-circuit failures. The range consists of: FTR-F3 (5A, slim type), FTR-MY (5A, slim type with high operating temperature range) and FTR-K1 (16A, low profile).

A combination of ATEX-certified relays and glow wire relays is also obtainable. These relays meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for use in hazardous locations and explosion-protected equipment and are in compliance with IEC 60079-0 and IEC 60079-15 standards, and the IEC 60695-2-11 safety standard. FCL Components combined ATEX and Glow wire relays.

The relay range also includes a selection of glow wire relays designed in compliance with IEC 60695-2-11 safety standards. The IEC 60695-2-11 standard outlines a test method applied to end products, simulating thermal stresses caused by electrically heated sources to assess fire hazard risks. This test ensures that, under defined conditions, an end product exposed to such heat sources exhibits either a limited ability to ignite or, if ignition occurs, a restricted capacity to sustain flame propagation.