How to select the right ATEX headlamp

ATEX or HAZLOC certified Petzl headlamps are designed for use in hazardous areas to endure the rigors of high-risk zones and confined spaces. Choose a headlamp based on the type of environment where it will be used. Each environmental parameter determines the type of ATEX headlamp to use.

Selecting the right ATEX headlamp category

The various parameters to be defined for identifying the product category to be used in a zone are as follows:

• Type of industry

• Type of combustible substance present: dust (D) and gas or vapors (G)
• Type of zone you will be in: view the ATEX zone classification table

ATEX zone classifcation

ATEX zones are classified using two parameters: 

• the type of combustibles that may be encountered (dust or gas),
• the frequency or duration during which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur. 

Example of ATEX zones:

Determine the minimum ATEX headlamp category

From these 3 parameters, it is possible to determine the minimum ATEX headlamp category to be used:

Note: the number associated with the zone of use is not identical to the number associated with the equipment category:

• Zone 0 = category 1
• Zone 1 = category 2
• Zone 2 = category 3

Choice of classification based on the environment

• Gas/ vapor type environments:

The various parameters to be defined for identifying the product category to be used in a zone are as follows:

Temperature classes are also defined since the various substances can ignite at different temperatures. The lower the combustion temperature, the more dangerous the substance. The temperature class of a piece of equipment (lamp) is the maximum surface temperature that the equipment can reach.

Thus, the headlamp selected should be suitable for the right gas group (IIA, IIB, IIC) and for the right temperature class based on the types of gas encountered on site.

• Dust type environments:

The various parameters to be defined for identifying the product category to be used in a zone are as follows:

As with gas, a maximum surface temperature that the device can reach is provided. In a dust environment, one must verify that the following conditions are met:

• Maximum surface temperature of the device is less than 2/3 x the ignition temperature of a dust cloud.
• Maximum surface temperature of the device is less than the ignition temperature of a 5 mm layer of dust, minus 75°C.

Thus, the headlamp selected should be suitable for the correct dust group (IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) and for the maximum surface temperature based on the types of dust encountered at the site. 

ATEX/HAZLOC headlamp classification