Zone 1 & Zone 2 GRP Enclosures & Junction Boxes – ATEX Hazardous Area

Product Overview

Abtech BPG GRP electrical enclosures and junction boxes are ATEX certified and suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas.

Abtech BPG enclosures are available in 16 sizes manufactured from glass reinforced polyester (GRP) – suitable for use in hazardous areas, specifically ATEX and IECEx Ex ‘e’ (Zone 1 & 2), EEx ‘nA’ (Zone 2) and CSA, UL & FM (Class 1, Div 2).

GRP enclosures are highly resistant to contamination from oils, fats, aliphatic and aromatic carbohydrates, bacteria and enzymes. It is also suitable for LSOH (low smoke zero halogen) application.

The Abtech BPG GRP Enclosures & Junction Boxes of hazardous area enclosures feature a high level of ingress protection (IP66/67) specifically designed to meet the demands of onshore and offshore environments with Zone 1 and Zone 2 locations. All BPG enclosures have successfully passed the Shell/ERA deluge test ensuring safe use when subjected to ship conditions of fire deluge systems.

BPG enclosures can be supplied fitted with any component approved terminal to apparatus level or can be supplied empty as component approved.

Abtech BPG Features

• Wide Operating Temperature (-60°C to + 130°C) (-76°F to +266°F)
• Ingress Protection up to IP67 • Fire Resistant to IEC331
• Impact Resistant > 7Nm
• UV Resistant
• Can be drilled and tapped to accommodate most thread forms (NPT for example)
• UL, CSA, IEC Ex, ATEX, InMetro and TR CU Approvals
• Ideal for Petrochemical and Marine applications

Temperature Rating

• Hazardous Area: -65°C to + 130°C
• Non Hazardous: -60°C to + 130°C

Zone 1

A hazardous area location according to ATEX in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 2

A hazardous area location according to ATEX in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, persists for a short period only.

ATEX Explained

The ATEX Directive consists of two EU directives describing the type of equipment and hazardous area location within a potentially explosive atmosphere. ATEX originates its name from the French title of the 94/9/EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles.

Cable entries can be drilled in the enclosure or junction box door, sides or via the cable gland plates – cable entries can also be drilled through the rear face of the stainless steel enclosure (EEx’e’ hazardous area versions).

The hazardous area enclosures include a hinged, lift-off door secured to the junction box using 4 captive stainless steel screws which also maintain the correct compression on the gasket.

Hazardous Area Certification

Abtech BPG enclosures are certified according to leading hazardous area classifications including:

• ATEX & IECEx (Zone 1 & 2; Zone 21 & 22)
• TR CU
• NEMA 4X (CSA, UL & FM) Class 1 Division 2

The range can be supplied with a number of certificates:

• ATEX EEx‘e’ to BS EN 50019 (Zone 1 & 2) EEx‘nA’ to BS EN50021 (Zone 2)
• NEMA 4X (CSA, UL & FM Class 1, Div 2)

• Zone 1 Hazardous Area Lighting
• Zone 2 Hazardous Area Lighting
• Enclosures, Motor Starters & Isolators

Abtech BPG stainless steel enclosures are certified according to international hazardous area classifications including UL, CSA, IEC Ex, ATEX, FM, InMetro and TR CU.

Abtech BPG Junction Boxes Selection Table

If in doubt, please contact our team for specification support and selection advice about hazardous area junction boxes and enclosures.

BS 6387:2013

Abtech BPG enclosures and junction boxes are suitable for fire resistance and fire protection applications and when fitted with ceramic terminals meet the requirements of IEC 331 (750°C for 3 hours) and also BS6387/1983 (950°C for 3 hours).

• BS6387: test method for resistance to fire of cables, enclosures and junction boxes required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions.

Stainless Steel Enclosures

Abtech BPG enclosures are manufactured from type 316 stainless steel – excellent corrosion resistance including pitting and crevice corrosion in the oil, gas and petrochem industries and offshore high-saline installations.

Earthing

Abtech BPG enclosures are effectively earthed using an internal/external earth stud fitted as standard which can be connected to the terminal mounting rail or component mounting rail. Earth studs can be fitted to the door and gland plates and rail mounted earth terminals or proprietary earth bars can be installed within the electrical enclosures.