CSA/ATEX certification for hazardous areas FAQ

Alicat devices are available with CSA/ATEX certifications for use in hazardous areas. This article covers the details of these certifications, including compatible device configurations.

Alicat’s CSA/ATEX classification

Alicat instruments can be built with the following dual CSA/ATEX classification:

Alicat CSA/ATEX classification

Ex ec IIC T4 Gc

Class 1, Zone 2 AEx ec IIC T4 Gc

Class I, Division 2, Group A, B, C and D, T4

-40°C ≤ Ta ≤ +60°C

Devices available with CSA/ATEX certification

CSA/ATEX certifications are available with the following device options:

Compatible devices: All devices except EPC and EPCD pressure controllers, BASIS™ mass flow controllers, portable meters, and CODA™ Coriolis controllers and meters.
IP rating: IP40 (Note: For an IP40 rated ATEX/CSA unit to meet official requirements, it must be placed in an IP54 rated box)
Connectors: DB9, DB15, M12, industrial locking connector
Communication protocols: Serial, analog, Modbus-RTU

CSA classes and divisions

A CSA certification has both a class and division. This classification is commonly used in North America.

The class indicates the type of hazardous compound.
The division indicates the likelihood of the hazard.

The Class I, Division 2, Group A, B, C and D, T4 classification indicates a device is safe for use with gases, vapors, and liquids in an environment where a hazard is likely. Specific operating conditions are further defined by the group (A, B, C, D) and temperature class (T4).

Class	Division
1 – Gases, vapors, and liquids	1 – Hazard certain
2 – Dusts	2 – Hazard likely
3 – Fibers	3 – Hazard unlikely

ATEX zones and equipment categories

An ATEX certification has a group and zone/category. This classification is used in most countries outside North America.

As above, the class indicates the type of hazardous compound.
Certifications are split into groups for either mining (Group I) or all other industrial applications (Group II).
The zone represents the likelihood of a potentially explosive atmosphere occurring for gases, mists, and vapors (0, 1, or 2) and is associated with an equipment category (1, 2, or 3).

The Class 1, Zone 2 AEx ec IIC T4 Gc classification indicates a device is safe for use with gases, vapors, and liquids where a potentially explosive atmosphere is present infrequently and for short periods of time. Specific operating conditions are further defined by the group (IIC) and temperature class (T4).

Zone	Equipment category	Likelihood of explosive environment occurring	Performance of protection
0	1	Present continuously	Two independent means of protection or safe even when two faults occur independently of each other.
1	2	Present intermittently	Suitable for normal operation and frequently occurring disturbances or equipment where faults are normally taken into account.
2	3	Present abnormally	Suitable for normal operation.

*Visit the European Commission website for detailed information on ATEX certifications.