ASCO Solenoid Valves & How They Comply With ATEX – FAQS

Published 16 Dec 2016

ASCO Valves

By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 5 minutes

ATEX Solenoid Valves by ASCO

ASCO provide a wide range of solenoid valve solutions with all major hazardous area certifications including ATEX, GOST, UL, CSA & NEPSI.

Hazardous Area Classifications

Below are a small selection of frequently asked questions concerning ATEX certified solenoid valves from ASCO Numatics.

Can I mount accessories on the ATEX certified valves?

Yes. ASCO Numatics have a wide range of compatible accessories which have been the subject of risk analysis. For all other accessories, risk analysis must be performed on a case-by-case basis.

Can I assemble ATEX-certified valves?

Yes. For example, a pneumatic valve and a CNOMO interface solenoid valve, a cylinder and an electro-pneumatic valve etc as long as the following rules are respected:

Each product involved in the assembly must be individually ATEX-certified.
Take into account the least favourable category and temperature class and make sure that they are compatible with the hazardous area of use.
Check the continuity of the earth connection to allow dissipation of static electricity. This continuity must be ensured on all equipment requiring assembly, whatever the hazardous area of use.

ATEX Valves By ASCO – Contact T&D For Hazardous Area Valves

Can ATEX valves be traced?

Traceability of ATEX valves is mandatory from their manufacture through to their end use. ASCO Numatics archives information such as customer identification, product code, serial number, date of manufacture and order number.

I want to replace non-ATEX equipment certified according to the previous method on an existing installation.

What should I do?

T&D advise you to replace the old existing valve products with ATEX certified equipment.

Can I repair ATEX equipment?

You can buy spare parts kits for ATEX valves and carry out maintenance subject to some conditions:

You must comply with instructions contained in the installation and start-up guide delivered in the spare parts kit.
You must ensure traceability of the repaired ATEX valve.
The technician performing the repair must have received sufficient training concerning the ATEX directive and the risks of explosion.
The conformity of the markings must be checked (manufacturer’s markings, modification/repair markings).
You must change the existing ATEX label:

either by replacing it with a new label, called a modification/repair label
or by adding a specific identification mark (e.g. addition of the letter “R”)

T&D are specialists in hazardous area solutions servicing oil, gas and petrochemical industries worldwide.

T&D in partnership with ASCO offer a range of solenoid valves to suit any fluid control application. To discuss your exact requirements please contact T&D today.

Via ASCO Numatics FASTSHIP and SAMEDAY Express Delivery Service we are able to deliver 2,000+ ASCO valves from stock direct to you.

Solenoid Valves

Suitable for Potentially Explosive Hazardous Areas

ASCO are a world leader in fluid power and fluid control and provide a range of ATEX approved ASCO solenoid valves for use within potentially explosive hazardous areas.

ATEX Solenoid Valves

ASCO manufacture hazardous area solenoid valves that have ATEX approval allowing use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 installations.

To comply with ATEX regulations solenoid valves need to be certified as a complete product comprising of both the coil and the body.

This also applies for an electro-pneumatic valve with integrated pilot which is considered to be similar to a solenoid valve.

ASCO Hazardous Area Solenoid Valves

Electro-pneumatic valves with a separate CNOMO solenoid pilot require two certifications to cover both the solenoid operator and the pneumatic valve. ATEX certification is also required for non-electrical equipment such as filters, regulators, lubricators, valves, cylinders, etc if they are to be used within a zoned hazardous area.

T&D can provide ATEX certified solenoid valves suitable for potentially explosive hazardous area requirements.

Read Blog: ATEX Solenoid Valves – ASCO Valves for International Hazardous Area Installations.

Further ASCO Reading

ATEX Solenoid Valves – ASCO Valves for International Hazardous Area Installations

ASCO Valves – Selecting & Ordering The Correct Valve

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Thorne & Derrick

THORNE & DERRICK

Electrical & Process Instrumentation Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Hazardous Area & Explosion Proof Equipment with IECEx & ATEX Certifications to the onshore and offshore oil, gas, petrochemicals and process industries.

We supply major UK and international infrastructure projects and also MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations) requirements for both planned and unplanned plant shutdowns – we react with a rapid response to customer demand to ensure downtime is minimised and reliable Power, Light & Heat is restored or provided.

Working closely with clients and our supply chain we can assess the condition and degradation of your hazardous area installations and implement specifications to manage the planned replacement of legacy equipment conformant with international classifications including ATEX and IECEx.