Hazardous Area Control Panels
We will help you configure a flexible and functional control panel, with full IECEx certification.
We specialise in electrical control panels and distribution boards located within hazardous areas. Engage with our technical team for selection and configuration. Before the order, we check it is safe to specify.
We think inside the box
Control panels are the beating heart of any modern production environment. They serve a diverse range of functions, and contain a wide variety of components.
Engage our team for smart product selection and configuration. We will work with you to design your ideal panel in line with IECEx.
Control your lighting across hazardous areas. Monitor your active production lines. Operate heat trace circuits across your plant. Control your automation equipment from a central location.
It starts before the order
Three questions we ask alongside the part number, so the panel you specify is certified for the area it goes into.
Where does it run?
Zone 1 or 2 for gas, Zone 21 or 22 for dust, gas group, temperature class, corrosion and washdown exposure.
What is it doing?
Powering, controlling, protecting, monitoring, heating or lighting. Which components have to sit inside the enclosure.
What if it is wrong?
Ignition risk, safety, failed verification before commissioning, audit exposure, a shutdown now.
Achieve IECEx compliance through approved protection methods
Need a protected control panel for a potentially explosive atmosphere? We can assist with selection and configuration to cover both zones 1 and 2 for gas, and zones 21 and 22 for dust.
Choosing the right protection method, or combination of methods, will enable you to utilise the components you need.
Ex d, protection by enclosure
For applications in gaseous environments. Enclosures are built strong enough to withstand an internal explosion. Critical aspects for this method include enclosure strength, and taking into consideration flame paths, pressure piling and entry devices.
Ex td, protection by enclosure
For applications in dust environments. Enclosure design restricts the ingress of dust by using dust-tight protected enclosures. Avoids explosion risks by placing electrical components within a sealed and certified enclosure.
Ex e, increased safety
For normally non-sparking apparatus. This design disallows any uncertified components, anything capable of generating a spark. Critical aspects include creepage and clearance distances, enclosure design, plus wiring and termination heat loss considerations.
Ex n, reduced risk
This protection method covers several sub-methods. In most cases, these are simplified versions of existing types of protection under IEC 60079-15. This includes Ex nA non-arcing, Ex nC enclosed construction, and Ex nR restricted breathing.
Ex i, intrinsic safety
Limits the voltage and current going into the enclosure to a level that is unable to produce an igniting spark. Intrinsically safe circuits are usually supplied from a safe area, limiting voltage via Zener diodes and current via a resistor. Cable length must be considered in line with IEC 60079-14, as this can affect certification verification pre-commissioning.
Ex p, pressurised enclosures
Commonly referred to as purge and pressurisation. This method keeps the dangerous atmosphere outside of the enclosure through overpressure. Ex p allows uncertified components to be safely located within hazardous zones. Ideal for larger enclosures and components.
Not sure which protection method your panel needs?
Tell us the zone and what has to sit inside the enclosure. We will tell you what is certified to fit.
Design a bespoke enclosure to your exact requirements
Specify your cable entry quantities and cable gland requirement types. Add a thermoresistant tempered glass window for simple identification and inspection. Meters, digital panels and pushbuttons can be included as required.
Enclosure location will dictate the level of material corrosion resistance required. Options include electropolished stainless steel, copper-free aluminium or glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GRP).
Large control panels for complex systems
Control stations consist of multiple enclosures linked by certified couplers. We can assist with solutions for larger operations, including manufacturing plants, onshore gas processing plants and power generation facilities.
We will take the time to understand your exact requirements and help you customise a solution for your exact application, environment, control type and communication requirements.
Design possibilities are endless, so make sure you are dealing with an experienced technical team. Reliability, safety and intelligence are our areas of focus.
Industry application
Hazardous area control panels are specified across a wide range of industries, each with their own zone classifications and risk profiles.
Oil and gas. Offshore platform controls and wellhead automation built to withstand explosive gas atmospheres.
Grain handling. Zone 21/22 rated panels are critical for dust explosion prevention.
Underground mining. Robust electrical control solutions designed for methane-risk areas.
Talk to our team about engineered control panels built for classified environments
Send us the application: the zone and gas or dust group, the components that have to sit inside, the control and communication requirements. We will come back with a compliant design and the protection method that suits it.
We supply and support the product. Your team or your integrator installs and commissions it. We make sure it is the right one.