What ATEX and IECEx standards apply to custom engineered panels?

The applicable standard set depends on the chosen protection concept and installation environment, but most custom engineered panels reference IEC 60079-0 for general requirements plus one or more part-specific standards such as IEC 60079-1, -2, -7, -11, -14, -15, and -31. ATEX compliance also requires alignment with the relevant EU directive and a technical file, while IECEx relies on certification body test evidence and traceable documentation. For panel assemblies, engineers must also define equipment group, category, zone suitability, temperature class, and any special conditions of use.

How are custom panels tested for ATEX / IECEx compliance?

Testing depends on the protection method. Typical verification may include temperature-rise testing, dielectric withstand, enclosure IP testing, impact resistance, flamepath checks for Ex d, clearance and creepage verification for Ex e, and functional validation of purged systems to IEC 60079-2. Intrinsic safety circuits require entity parameter review, segregation, and energy limitation checks. The final evidence package normally includes test reports, drawings, component certificates, and routine inspection records to support conformity assessment.

Can VFDs and soft starters be used inside an ATEX certified panel?

Yes, but only if the overall enclosure design and the device installation comply with the selected hazardous-area protection concept. VFDs and soft starters generate heat and may require Ex p purging, Ex e segregation, or installation in a non-hazardous area with certified barriers for field circuits. Designers must check ambient limits, surface temperature, EMC filtering, cable gland selection, and any manufacturer restrictions. The final assembly must demonstrate that the maximum temperature class is maintained under worst-case loading.

What documentation is required for IECEx certification of a panel assembly?

A typical IECEx documentation package includes the technical file, detailed wiring schematics, bill of materials, component Ex certificates, declarations of conformity, installation and maintenance instructions, marking data, and the applicable test reports. For custom engineered panels, the dossier must also capture thermal calculations, enclosure configuration, wiring methods, and any conditions of safe use. If the panel includes intrinsic safety, the entity parameter analysis and loop calculations should be included as well.

What is the difference between ATEX and IECEx for panel builders?

ATEX is the European regulatory route for equipment intended for explosive atmospheres within the EU, while IECEx is an international certification scheme used to support global market access. In practice, both systems rely on similar IEC 60079 technical requirements, but ATEX requires directive conformity and CE/Ex marking, whereas IECEx focuses on certified test and assessment documentation recognized by participating certification bodies. Many OEMs design one panel platform to satisfy both routes, reducing duplication.

How do you select components for an explosion-proof custom panel?

Component selection starts with the protection concept and zone classification, then moves to thermal, electrical, and mechanical suitability. ACBs, MCCBs, relays, contactors, terminals, power supplies, barriers, and communication devices must carry appropriate ratings and be installed within the limits of the certified enclosure concept. For example, Ex e terminals and certified cable glands may be required, while some heat-producing devices may need to be relocated or isolated. Manufacturer instructions and certificate conditions are mandatory.

Can a panel be re-certified after field modifications?

Yes, but any modification that affects the certified design basis may require re-assessment, partial re-testing, or complete re-certification depending on the extent of change. Substituting a power supply, adding a VFD, changing gland types, altering wiring density, or modifying ventilation can affect temperature rise, ingress protection, and protection integrity. Best practice is to apply formal change control, review against the original IEC 60079 evidence, and involve the certification body or a competent Ex engineer before returning the panel to service.

Where are ATEX / IECEx custom panels commonly used?

They are commonly used in refineries, gas processing plants, chemical dosing skids, solvent storage and blending areas, grain handling systems, offshore modules, paint spray booths, and dust processing lines. These applications often involve Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, or Zone 22 environments where ignition risk must be controlled. The panel design must reflect the hazard type, whether gas or dust, and maintain the declared temperature class, ingress protection, and installation conditions throughout the lifecycle.

Panel + Standard

Custom Engineered Panel — ATEX / IECEx Certification Compliance

ATEX / IECEx Certification compliance requirements, testing procedures, and design considerations for Custom Engineered Panel assemblies.

Overview

Custom Engineered Panel assemblies intended for hazardous-area service must be designed and documented for ATEX and IECEx conformity before they can be placed into explosive atmospheres. Unlike a standard industrial control panel, these assemblies are evaluated against the selected protection concept and the declared equipment group, category, and temperature class. For electrical enclosures this commonly means aligning the design with IEC 60079 series requirements, including IEC 60079-0 for general construction, IEC 60079-1 for flameproof Ex d, IEC 60079-7 for increased safety Ex e, IEC 60079-11 for intrinsic safety Ex i interfaces, IEC 60079-15 for Ex n, IEC 60079-31 for dust protection Ex t, and IEC 60079-14 for installation practices. ATEX compliance additionally requires the applicable EU directive route and technical file support, while IECEx focuses on the international certification scheme and test report traceability. In practical panel engineering, certification compliance starts with component selection. Common devices such as ACBs, MCCBs, motor contactors, overload relays, VFDs, soft starters, terminal blocks, surge protective devices, and protection relays must be assessed for enclosure suitability, heat dissipation, creepage and clearance, terminal temperature rise, and permissible operating limits in the declared ambient range. In many hazardous-area applications, the control electronics are mounted in a purged and pressurized enclosure to IEC 60079-2, or the panel is segregated so that only intrinsically safe circuits enter the hazardous zone via certified barriers and galvanic isolators. Cable glands, breather drains, window materials, heaters, thermostats, and gland plates must also be matched to the protection concept and ingress protection level. Testing and verification are not optional. Depending on the selected concept, the panel may require routine dielectric verification, temperature-rise assessment, impact testing, IP tests, flamepath dimensional checks, and verification of non-sparking clearances or restricted breathing characteristics. For dust-exposed installations, surface temperature and dust ingress are critical, especially for panels installed in Zone 21 or Zone 22 environments. Where arc fault exposure is a concern, designers may also reference IEC/TR 61641 for internal arc effects, though this is not a substitute for ATEX or IECEx certification. The final assembly must declare the maximum surface temperature, ambient limits, enclosure protection, and any special conditions of use. A compliant deliverable includes the technical dossier, risk assessment, conformity declaration, marking plate data, wiring diagrams, BOM with certified part numbers, and installation/maintenance instructions. For multinational projects, engineers often design one platform to satisfy ATEX for EU market access and IECEx for global deployment, while retaining a clear certification boundary between certified components and the overall assembly. Typical applications include refinery analyzer shelters, solvent handling skids, paint booths, grain dust processing lines, offshore modules, and chemical dosing stations. For panel builders and EPC contractors, the key engineering challenge is not only achieving initial certification but preserving it through lifecycle changes. Substitutions, firmware updates, thermal loading changes, and field modifications can invalidate the original verification basis. A robust compliance process therefore requires documented change control, periodic inspection, and re-assessment against the applicable clauses of IEC 60079 and the ATEX technical file. When executed correctly, a Custom Engineered Panel can deliver safe, maintainable, and certifiable control and distribution performance in hazardous areas without compromising reliability or serviceability.

Key Features

ATEX / IECEx Certification compliance pathway for Custom Engineered Panel
Design verification and testing requirements
Documentation and certification procedures
Component selection for standard compliance
Ongoing compliance maintenance and re-certification

Specifications

Panel Type	Custom Engineered Panel
Standard	ATEX / IECEx Certification
Compliance	Design verified
Certification	Per applicable verification method

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Custom Engineered Panel

ATEX / IECEx Certification

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