Ex-Component and Ex-Auxiliary equipment

Ex-Component and Ex-Auxiliary equipment

Difference between Ex-Component and Ex-Auxiliary equipment in certification of an Ex-Equipment

Difference between Ex-Component and Ex-Auxiliary equipment in certification of an Ex-Equipment

Definitions:

Ex Component: A part intended to be part of Ex equipment (or Ex assemblies), which is not intended to be used alone and cannot be used independently in a hazardous area. It does not yet perform a protective function on its own, marked with the symbol “U”.

Examples include: Empty Ex e terminal boxes, Ex d threaded plugs or stopping plugs.

Ex Auxiliary Equipment: Equipment that performs a function related to equipment, but not integral with the main function of the Ex-Equipment, used with Ex Equipment to support measurement, control, monitoring or signal interface with independent Ex equipment certificate. Ex associated equipment, as defined in IEC 60079-0, is considered as one of sub-group devices of “Ex auxiliary equipment”. (reference to ExTAG/606B/CD)

Examples: temperature sensor, vibration sensor, optical fiber coupler.

Presumption: Ex component and Ex auxiliary equipment should be already certified (ATEX or IECEx)

Subject: a reference of Ex component and Ex auxiliary equipment should be given in the final certificate of Ex equipment.

Comparison table:

Key task in certification process	Ex-Component	Ex-Auxiliary equipment	Responsibility
Technical evaluation of component and auxiliary equipment for the purpose of issuance certificate for Ex equipment.	Confirming the Schedule of Limitation of Ex-Component certificate.	1- Confirming the Specific Condition of Use of Ex-Auxiliary equipment certificate; 2- Checking the mounting and connecting condition according to relevant technical documentation and IEC 60079-14.	ATEX notified body / IECEx CB
Ex-Equipment marking	The relevant marking(s) from the Ex-Component becomes a part of the marking of the Ex-Equipment.	The Ex-Auxiliary equipment marking does not affect the final marking of Ex-equipment. i.e, the final marking is not included the Ex-auxiliary equipment marking.	1- manufacturer: assigning the marking; 2- ATEX notified body / IECEx CB: checking and verification
Ex-Equipment certification	Used Ex-Components shall be listed in the Ex-Equipment Certificate.	All Ex-Auxiliary equipment that, at the time of the Ex-Equipment certification, is intended to be installed on/in/with the Ex-Equipment, shall be listed in the Ex-Equipment Certificate.	1- manufacturer: Listing the Ex-components and relevant certificate numbers in product technical file. 2- ATEX notified body / IECEx CB: checking and verifying the list and including in the certificate annex.
Examples: Ex-equipment: Flameproof “Ex db” motor (Ex db eb IIC T4) Ex-Component: Increased safety “Ex eb” terminal box (Ex eb IIC) Ex-Auxiliary equipment: Intrinsically safe “Ex ib” bearing temperature transmitter (Ex ib IIC T6)

Note: as the motor manufacturers integrate component(s) and auxiliary equipment and the parts of the Ex-equipment produced by themeselves into a unique Ex equipment, therefore the Ex-equipment is certified as an independent equipment and not as an Ex-assembly. Therefore, the IEC TS 60079-46 is applicable in such cases.