Why this antenna can be the smart safety solution in your hazardous area
You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to comply with explosion safety regulations. You want to work safely, achieve full, reliable coverage and, on top of that, have one Wi-Fi data infrastructure system. The forward thinkers at Ex-Machinery are dedicated to operational safety and state-of-the-art smart solutions that will ensure your work area will be explosion-proof. Our ATEX antenna is proof positive of that.
Figure 1: Since 2013, WiFi infrastructure in hazardous zones must comply with ATEX regulations. Source: ATEX 2014/34 EU Guidelines.
Safety and compliance are Issues that are on the top of the agenda in today’s companies. Especially for companies dealing with explosion hazards, Ex-Machinery has designed an explosion-proof ATEX antenna. But, to put things in perspective, only specific locations of an industrial plant are classified as hazardous areas. All hazardous areas are marked on the layout of the factory. You can find this map in the Explosion Safety Document. Due to technical explosion protection measures, such as specific ventilation, only parts within a room are hazardous – for the most part. If the distance from the antenna to the access point is no more than 25 meters, this is what you should do. Mount the explosion-proof antenna in the hazardous area. Use a coax cable to connect the antenna to a standard access point — any access point of the brand of your choice. This is the smart solution to work safely and comply with ATEX regulations. Smart… and the most cost-effective solution.
ATEX-compliant
Explosions can be caused by a variety of hazardous conditions: flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts. With enough of any of these substances – mixed with air – all you need is a source of ignition to set it all off. According to the EU Commission, the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU “covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.” Essentially, it defines the essential health and safety requirements and conformity assessment procedures, to be applied before products are placed on the EU market.
The Armadex Omni explosion-proof antenna
We designed the Armadex Omni explosion-proof antenna to enable full Wi-Fi coverage in hazardous areas. Here are some of the key features of this smart safety solution:
- Suitable for use in ATEX zones 2 and 22
- Combined with a special HF-barrier, it can even be placed in Zones 0 and 20
- Optimized for steel and concrete environments (with reflections)
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use — thanks to rugged design
- You can connect the Armadex Omni ATEX WiFi antenna on with a coaxial cable up to 25 meters…the access point will not have to meet additional requirements
- Available in 2.4GHz or 5GHz-execution
No loss of Wi-Fi coverage — ever
Figure 2: The Armadex Omni ATEX antenna complies with the ATEX legislation and carries the ATEX marking accordingly.
We are often asked if the special design affects the power and range of the antenna. The protection around the original antenna inside does not affect the coverage. Protection method nA stands for non-arcing, meaning that it does not readily form an arc or allow one to be formed. That said, to obtain the full coverage, spacing, and location of the antennas matter.
Dangerous hazards, such as explosions, are what you want to avoid — at all costs. Not only does a catastrophe of this kind affect your business – but more importantly – it can cost lives.
About Ex-Machinery
Ex-Machinery has specialized in ATEX and explosion safety for over 14 years. Are you interested in explosion-proof equipment? Then please do follow our ATEX specialist Gido van Tienhoven on LinkedIn, and he will keep you updated on ATEX and explosion safety. You can also send Gido your specific ATEX question. We are committed to working with you to help you find your ATEX solution.
