Certified ATEX sensors for Harsh Industrial Environments
Monitoring machine conditions such as vibration and pressure, along with evaluating this data, helps detect irregularities and prevent damage. Monitoring solutions contribute to operational safety and production efficiency by enabling predictive maintenance.
PCB Piezotronics offers a wide portfolio of certified sensors including ATEX-approved sensors for use in explosive zones and sensors certified SIL2 for functional safety.
Explosion protection
Originally developed to prevent explosions in coal mines, explosion protection measures focus on:
- Preventing explosive atmospheres
- Avoiding ignition of such atmospheres
- Limiting the effects of explosions to harmless levels
Today, explosive environments are found in chemical and process industries, as well as in municipal areas such as wastewater treatment plants. A plant’s explosion protection document outlines:
- Identification and assessment of explosion risks
- Definition of explosion zones and protective measures
- Verification of technical protection and regular inspections
ATEX and global directives
- ATEX 2014/34/EU: Mandatory for all EU member states, ATEX regulates all products used in explosive atmospheres.
- IECEx: An international certification scheme for equipment used in explosive areas, valid outside Europe and the US.
- NEC/CEC: National explosion protection rules for North America.
- UL: US-based safety certification organization (Underwriters Laboratories).
Most countries enforce legal or regulatory frameworks concerning equipment in hazardous areas to prevent harm to people and the environment.
Certified sensors overview
Functional Safety – SIL2
Functional safety requirements in modern industry are defined under IEC 61508 and apply to safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable systems. This includes everything from the sensor to the logic controller (PLC) and actuator.
Key elements include:
- Risk assessment and quantification of residual risk
- Probability of Failure on Demand (PFDavg) for safety loops
- Safe Failure Fraction (SFF) and Hardware Fault Tolerance (HFT)
Industrial sectors differ in application: continuous high-demand systems (e.g., machine safety) versus low-demand systems typical of the process industry (triggered less than once per year).
Accelerometers Process Monitoring
PCB’s ICP® accelerometers are ideal for permanent vibration monitoring across multiple points, especially in large-scale systems. The EX602, EX603, and EX622 series offer cost-effective, reliable, and rugged solutions for multi-channel applications.
Pressure sensors for Gas Turbine Monitoring
To ensure reliable, low-emission gas turbine operation, PCB offers UHT-12™-based piezoelectric pressure sensors (e.g., EX176 series) capable of continuous operation up to 650 °C, high resonance frequencies (>50 kHz), low thermal noise, and high signal-to-noise differential charge output.
Aditional certified components
PCB offers:
- Intrinsically safe microphones (e.g., EX378B02) for gas leak detection
- Triaxial charge accelerometers (EX356A7X) and high-temperature UHT-12™ models
- Differential charge amplifiers (e.g., EX682A40) optimized for high-impedance piezoelectric sensors
Accessories
PCB supplies EX-certified cables (e.g., Models 052M and 045M) with light blue insulation as required for intrinsically safe circuits.
Mounting accessories include magnetic bases, epoxy or welded pads, and mechanical adapters. The TMS-9110D portable calibrator supports onsite verification of vibration, acceleration, and charge sensors.
Focus on
ICP® Single-Axis Accelerometers – EX602 Series
| Sensitivity (mV/g) | Frequency Response (Hz) | Measurement Range (g) | Temperature Range (°C) | Weight (g) |
| 100 | 0.5 to 8000 | ±50 | -54 to +121 | 74 |
High-Frequency Response Accelerometers – EX622B01/EX622B11
| Sensitivity (mV/g) | Frequency Response (Hz) | Measurement Range (g) | Weight (g) |
| 100 | 0.2 to 15000 | ±50 | 94 |
Compact Accelerometers – EX603 Series
| Sensitivity (mV/g) | Frequency Response (Hz) | Measurement Range (g) | Temperature Range (°C) | Weight (g) |
| 100 | 0.5 to 10000 | ±50 | -54 to +121 | 51 |
Submersible Cable Miniature Accelerometers – EX608 Series
| Sensitivity (mV/g) | Frequency Response (Hz) | Measurement Range (g) | Temperature Range (°C) | Weight (g) |
| 100 | 0.5 to 10000 | ±50 | -54 to +121 | 99.3 |
Request a visit from a local engineer
Let’s review your assets and objectives on-site: sensor selection, wiring/shielding practice, ATEX zoning needs, and a pragmatic rollout plan (from ICP® routes to embeddable accelerometers pilots). Book an onsite meeting and application review.
