ATEX · Hazardous area enclosures

Certified for the
zone you're in.

ATEX and IECEx certified enclosures for Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 22. Ex e, Ex ia, Ex s, Ex nR and Ex tb variants. Manufactured in Kent, fully documented, ready to install.

Zone 22 control panel · 2 × pushbutton + isolator · Ex e
ATEX · Zone 22
ATEXCertified
IECExCertified
ISO 9001:2015Quality management
Made inKent, UK
Quote inSame day
Shipped in3–4 weeks
Zone classification

What is ATEX?
A plain-English zone guide.

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU classifies locations by the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere. The zone determines the equipment category required. Below: the five zones you'll encounter. For the full classification methodology, see HSE ATEX guidance.

Zone 0

Continuous presence of explosive gas atmosphere. Applies inside vessels, pipework. Requires Category 1G equipment. indEx can supply Ex ia enclosures for this zone.

Zone 1

Likely explosive gas atmosphere in normal operation. Most common in O&G processing areas. Requires Category 2G (Ex e, Ex d, Ex ia, Ex s).

Zone 2

Not likely in normal operation; only briefly if fault occurs. Permits Category 3G, including Ex nR restricted breathing enclosures.

Zone 21

Likely combustible dust atmosphere in normal operation. Food, chemical, pharmaceutical. Requires Category 2D (Ex tb, Ex mb). indEx can supply component-approved enclosures for this zone, but not apparatus-certified.

Zone 22

Combustible dust only under abnormal conditions, short duration. Permits Category 3D enclosures.

Read the full zone guide IEC 60079
Ex protection methods

Six methods.
One right choice for your zone.

Each Ex protection method is defined by an IEC 60079 standard and assigned to specific equipment categories. The method determines what can be housed inside and which zones the enclosure is certified for.

Ex e Zone 1 / Zone 2
Increased Safety
IEC 60079-7

Eliminates arcs, sparks and excessive temperatures in normal operation through design measures: improved insulation clearances, robust terminals, anti-loosening fasteners. The most common ATEX protection method for terminal boxes and junction boxes.

Ex d Zone 1 / Zone 2
Flameproof
IEC 60079-1

The enclosure can contain an internal explosion and prevent flame propagation to the external atmosphere. Characterised by precisely machined flange gaps. Used where sparking internal components cannot be avoided.

Ex ia Zone 0 / 1 / 2
Intrinsic Safety
IEC 60079-11

Limits electrical energy in the circuit below the minimum ignition energy of the hazardous atmosphere,even under fault conditions. The only method suitable for Zone 0. Requires certified associated apparatus (Zener barriers, galvanic isolators).

Ex s Zone 1 / Zone 2
Special Protection
IEC 60079-33

A protection concept evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a Notified Body against IEC 60079-33. Used where standard protection methods are not applicable or where a combination of protection techniques is required to meet the ATEX Essential Health and Safety Requirements.

Ex nR Zone 2 only
Restricted Breathing
IEC 60079-15

Limits the rate of gas ingress to the enclosure, preventing an explosive atmosphere forming inside. Simpler and lower-cost than Ex d for Zone 2 applications where a reduced degree of protection is acceptable.

Ex tb Zone 22
Enclosure (Dust)
IEC 60079-31

Prevents dust from entering the enclosure and accumulating on surfaces where it could ignite. Temperature classification applies to external surfaces as well as internal. Used in Zone 22 dust environments.

Product range

Six ATEX certified
product lines.

Each line is ATEX and IECEx certified. Sizes, materials and entries are configured to your spec. No off-the-shelf SKUs,every unit is built to your drawing.

iTB · 200×200×150 · Ex e · IP66
iTB·Ex

iTB Terminal Boxes

Ex e · Hinged lid · IP66

Hinged lid, ATEX Ex e configuration. Available in 316L stainless, 304 stainless and GRP. Custom sizes to match any footprint from 250×150×130 to 2000×1000×800. Populated with certified Ex e terminals to your specification.

Learn more Download datasheet
iSTB · 200×200×150 · Ex e
iSTB·Ex

iSTB Junction Boxes

Ex e · Bolted lid · IP66

Bolted lid, ATEX Ex e configuration. Marine-grade 316L as standard. Custom sizes to match any footprint from 120×120×90 to 2000×1200×800. Single or multiple gland plates, cable entry from any face.

Learn more Download datasheet
Zone 22 control station · pushbuttons + isolator
iCS·Ex

iCS Control Stations

Pushbuttons · Isolators · Pilot lamps

Custom control stations for Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 22. Populated with ATEX-rated pushbuttons, selector switches, isolators and pilot lamps. Wired and tested in-house.

Get a quote
iTB cabinet · floor-standing with plinth
iCAB·Ex

iCAB Cabinet Enclosures

Ex e · Up to 2000×1200×800 · Floor-standing

Floor-standing and wall-mounted cabinet enclosures for MCC, distribution and control applications in Zone 1 and Zone 2. Custom sized up to 2000×1200×800. Available with internal mounting plates, cable management and custom cutouts.

Learn more
GRP P5 · Zone 1 terminal box
iGRP·Ex

iGRP Enclosures

Polyester P5 · Corrosion-resistant · Zone 1

Glass-reinforced polyester enclosures for corrosive environments where metallic enclosures are unsuitable. Lighter than stainless, non-magnetic, excellent chemical resistance. Certified Ex e to Zone 1.

Learn more Download datasheet
iEx·s · Ex s overpressure system enclosure
iEx·s

iEx·s Enclosures

Ex s · Zone 1 / Zone 2 · Any size

Ex s special protection enclosures allow standard (non-Ex) equipment to be installed safely in Zone 1 and Zone 2. Engineered and certified on a case-by-case basis under IEC 60079-33. Contact us with your equipment list.

Get a quote
Materials

Four materials.
One factory.

Material choice is driven by the environment, not the catalogue. We cut, weld and finish all four materials in our Kent facility. No subcontracted fabrication.

Marine · Offshore · Chemical
316L Stainless Steel

Molybdenum-enhanced austenitic grade with superior chloride resistance. Standard for marine, offshore and coastal chemical environments. Available in grit brushed finish.

IP66 · Weldable · Non-magnetic
Food · Pharma · General industrial
304 Stainless Steel

General-purpose austenitic stainless. Lower cost than 316 where chloride exposure is limited. Commonly specified for food and pharmaceutical environments with caustic cleaning. Same forming and welding as 316.

IP66 · Weldable · Non-magnetic
Control rooms · Indoor plant
Mild Steel

Hot-rolled and cold-rolled mild steel for protected environments. Powder-coated to RAL colour of choice. Lower cost where stainless or GRP is not required by the environment.

IP66 · Powder coat · RAL to spec
Chemical · Coastal · Non-conductive
GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester)

Halogen-free glass-reinforced polyester with excellent chemical resistance. Non-magnetic, lightweight, non-conductive. Specified where stainless is not suitable,aggressive acids, coastal brine, RF-transparent applications.

IP66 · Non-magnetic · Non-conductive · Lightweight
Industries served

Where our ATEX enclosures go.

01
Oil & Gas

Onshore, offshore, FPSO. Zone 1 and Zone 2 enclosures for instrumentation, control and power distribution. North Sea and international project experience.

02
Marine & Offshore

Marine-grade 316L stainless throughout. Drilling rigs, dredgers, hybrid ferry programmes.

03
Chemical & Petrochemical

Refineries, chemical blending and storage. Corrosion-resistant materials, full ATEX paperwork.

04
Water & Utilities

Pumping stations, water treatment, biogas. Zone 22 dust environments. GRP and stainless options for external and wet-area installations.

Common questions

ATEX, answered.

If your question isn't here, our engineering desk answers the same working day.

What is an ATEX enclosure?
An ATEX enclosure is an electrical enclosure certified to the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for use in explosive atmospheres. The certification confirms that the enclosure's design prevents internal sparks or heat from igniting surrounding flammable gas or dust. ATEX enclosures are required in hazardous areas classified as Zone 1, Zone 2 or Zone 22 under IEC 60079-10.
What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2?
Zone 1 is a location where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation, typically within 1 m of process equipment. Zone 1 requires Category 2G equipment (Ex e, Ex ia, Ex s and Ex tb).
What IP rating do I need for outdoor use?
IP54 is the standard minimum for outdoor ATEX enclosures. IP66 means the enclosure is dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets from any direction, sufficient for exposed plant, rooftop installations and wash-down environments. IP68 (continuous submersion) is specified where flooding or standing water is a risk. All indEx ATEX enclosures are rated IP66 as standard; IP68 is available on request, for some dimensions.
What is an Ex s (special protection) ATEX enclosure?
An Ex s enclosure uses a special protection method evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a Notified Body under IEC 60079-33. It is used where standard protection methods (Ex e, Ex ia) are not applicable or where a combination of techniques is required. The protection concept must be independently assessed and certified before the enclosure can carry the Ex s marking for Zone 1 use.
How long does ATEX certification take?
indEx Enclosures holds its own ATEX apparatus certificates and is able to self-certify new enclosures to Zone 2 without going through an external Notified Body. This means certification for a new size or variant within our established design families is handled in-house, keeping lead times short and avoiding third-party test queues. The iTB and iSTB range of enclosures have apparatus certification for zones 0, 1 and 2.
What protection methods are used in ATEX enclosures?
The main Ex protection methods used in enclosures are: Ex e (increased safety, IEC 60079-7),eliminates potential ignition sources through design; Ex d (flameproof, IEC 60079-1),contains an internal explosion; Ex ia (intrinsic safety, IEC 60079-11),limits circuit energy; Ex s (special protection, IEC 60079-33),case-by-case assessed protection; Ex nR (restricted breathing, IEC 60079-15),Zone 2 only; Ex tb-tc (enclosure protection for dust, IEC 60079-31),Zone 22.

Got an ATEX brief?
We'll quote it today.

Send a drawing, a sketch, or a specification. Our engineering desk responds the same working day,Mon–Fri, 8am–4.30pm GMT.

Get an ATEX quote Configure online
+44 1233 801 890 [email protected]