Glossary · IECEx
What is IECEx?
The international certification scheme for equipment in explosive atmospheres, run by the IEC and based on the IEC 60079 series of standards.
IECEx certificates are published on iecex.com and anyone can verify one by its number. The technical requirements are very close to ATEX, which is why many devices carry both.
An IECEx marking starts with Ex, then the protection type, gas group, temperature class and EPL, for example Ex db IIC T4 Gb.
Related terms
- ATEX
- The European directive setting requirements for equipment used in explosive atmospheres; the name comes from the French ATmosphères EXplosibles.
- Equipment Protection Level (EPL)
- The equipment protection level states how safe a device is as an ignition source, and maps directly to the zones where it may be used.
- Gas groups (IIA, IIB, IIC)
- Gases classified by how easily they ignite and pass a flame: IIA least severe (propane), IIB (ethylene), IIC most severe (hydrogen, acetylene).