ATEX Product Design Services | Intrinsic Safety Specialists
Technical Expertise and Extensive Knowledge of ATEX Certification Processes
Find out how ByteSnap can help with your product development
Award-Winning Embedded
Electronics Design Team
Our design team has worked across a range of industries, delivering technical excellence at every stage of the development process
Expertise for All Stages
of Your Product Development
We can take products from feasibility studies to external manufacturing
Guiding You Through
Certification Processes
We have helped customers deal with the certification authorities, use our experience and knowledge to save time and money on your project
What we do
We have advanced knowledge of intrinsically safe product design, from Technical Specification to IECEx schemes and ATEX Certification. Whether you’re just looking for an initial feasibility study or complete product development, our team has the solution.
Previously, we have designed products for use in potentially dangerous environments, including a Zone 0 Biogas Analyzer. Beyond the design itself, we have experience with ATEX regulatory authorities, and will save you money and time on documentation and testing.
We have extensive knowledge of all aspects of Intrinsically Safe design
You’re in Safe hands with ByteSnap Design.
Our experience extends throughout our team, and we work closely with our clients to fully understand and develop a design that meets all business and technical requirements.
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering high quality products with competitive timeframes and budgets, in many different sectors – so whatever your project, ByteSnap can offer full support.
Explore our full range of electronic design services to find out how we can help at each stage of your development:
ByteSnap offers design expertise for all stages of product development, from Technical Specification to Long Term Support. With a fully integrated hardware and software team, we are the one-stop solution for any project.
We specialise in Intrinsically Safe Design
There are many ways to make equipment safe for use in hazardous environments, including encapsulation and explosion/flame proof enclosures. However, another key method is through intrinsic design. This can reduce material costs and increase flexibility in dimensions.
There are many situations where intrinsic safety is the optimal approach, including handheld devices and industrial sensors. We have extensive experience in Low Power Design, including wireless products.
TO PRODUCE A SUCCESSFUL ATEX PRODUCT DESIGN WE FOLLOW THIS PROCESS:
The ATEX Product Design process differs considerably from other electronic devices due to the extra considerations, for example the Industrial Design (ID) steps shown on the diagram are essential to ensure an appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) rating is achieved so explosive particles cannot enter the device.
ByteSnap is experienced in reducing power across the device without compromising functionality, and has been through the regular reviews and checks with the certification authority, and this experience and knowledge reduces time-to-market.
What categories of products require ATEX conscious design?
ATEX is an acronym for ATmospheres EXplosible and refers to any hazardous environment containing gases or dust particles that carry an explosion or fire risk – for example, petrochemical plants or flour mills. Due to the higher risk to workers and equipment, all electronic devices in these areas must have ATEX Certification. The Certification required depends on the level of danger, classified as Zones in Europe and by the IEC and as Classes in the USA.
Current classifications are as follows:
Classification |
Definition of Zone or Division |
|---|---|
| Zone 0 (EU and IEC) (Gas / Vapour / Mist)
Class I Division 1 (USA) (Gases) |
Category 1G
An explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances is present continuously or for long periods |
| Zone 1 (Gas / Vapour / Mist)
Class I Division 1 (Gases) |
Category 2G
An explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally |
| Zone 2 (Gas / Vapour / Mist)
Class I Division 2 (Gases) |
Category 3G
An explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur, and if it does, is only present for a short period |
| Zone 20 (EU and IEC) (Dusts)
Class II Division 1 (USA) (Dusts) |
Category 1D
An explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods |
| Zone 21 (Dusts)
Class II Division 1 (Dusts) |
Category 2D
An explosive atmosphere is likely to occasionally occur in normal operation |
| Zone 22 (Dusts)
Class II Division 2 (Dusts) |
Category 3D
An explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur, and if it does, is only present for a short period |
ATEX specifically refers to two EU directives, concerning the protection of workers and equipment in potentially hazardous environments.
What about Brexit?
These directives were written into UK legislation in 2002 as part of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR). As such, Brexit is not going to affect ATEX design regulations, however, as ATEX certified products require CE Marking, this will change in the UK on 1 January 2021. For more information, read our guide to UKCA and CE Marking.
In order to ensure the safety of products in use in hazardous environments, manufacturers and suppliers must have their products tested for conformity and certified. ByteSnap has experience in supporting customers in this – and can save you time and money on your product development.
See how we helped Geotechnical Instruments Ltd develop their intrinsically safe biogas analyser:
“Great Credentials, Proven Track Record”
“They had great credentials and a proven track record in both hardware and firmware development for Windows CE applications, along with some experience of intrinsically safe design. Very quickly, ByteSnap designed and implemented both the hardware and O/S for the new platform. I’d happily recommend ByteSnap for this type of work, and would work with them again.”
Steve Earp – Project Manager, Geotechnical Instruments Ltd
THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH BYTESNAP
We offer experience and reliable support throughout the product and PCB or electronic board design life cycle, with both software and hardware engineers working side-by-side on projects to identify the best solution for each client.
We’re Not Just Electronics Engineers
While we are experts in electronics with an integrated hardware and software team, we also have the know how to communicate with all design engineers including mechanical and system suppliers.
Complete Solution, Team Integration
We are flexible in our approach. If you have your own team, we can support your existing employees. Or if you need end-to-end design, we can cover all stages of the embedded system design process.
We Find the Solution to Your Problem
From using off the shelf electronics to fully bespoke designs, we choose the best course of development for you. Most importantly, we are not tied to franchises and offer the full freedom of today’s technology.
Experience the Security of Consistency
You will be assigned your own experienced project manager and engineer. They will then stay with you throughout the full ATEX Design Process./span>
Own Your End Product IP
Having ownership of your IP gives your business the competitive edge and flexibility for future modifications. This also reduces your risk for copycat products.
Broad Array of Project Experience
We do not focus on a single market vertical. Due to our broad array of project experience, we are certain that we have experience in your industry sector.
AWARD-WINNING CONSULTANCY FOR ELECTRONICS SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT & HARDWARE DESIGN
For over 5 years, clients have engaged ByteSnap Design to deliver exceptional Intrinsically Safe Devices. We are trusted by companies across the UK and beyond, providing them with business and deep technical expertise under one roof.
How can the team at ByteSnap support your ATEX project today?
ByteSnap’s team are enabling companies to navigate the certification and design process, keeping them a step ahead. Guarantee quality and smooth your path to market – contact us today!
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