NEWS

When will motive have the new IECEx certificates?

Expected by the end of April or May. We have passed all tests and the system audit. Now we wait for TÜV final step

What will they cover?

Motors, forced ventilation units, and all mechanical gearboxes.

And Motive variable frequency drives?

Not for the moment. First, we are trying to see whether we can achieve something unique worldwide: Ex safety also for Gas in Category 2.

Will Motive ATEX motors, forced ventilations, and mechanical gearboxes be different from the IECEx ones?

1. Same code, same everything. They will simply have IECEx certification in addition to all the certifications they already hold

Will there be a special “IECEx” version?

1. ATEX and IECEx will be on the same line, with the same code, the same product, and the same configuration. No extra clicks

Will the price change with this upgrade?

NO

Will ATEX products change?

YES. They will improve. While working on IECEx we introduced improvements that will be included in both the IECEx and ATEX certificates

• upgrade of ambient temperature ratings (for some motors, and for all Ex gearboxes)
• upgrade of various motors to T3-T4-T5-T6 classification,
• inclusion of additional certified special executions, etc…

Motive published a post and a newsletter stating that ATEX gearboxes must also be certified. Someone commented that for ATEX gearboxes a manufacturer’s declaration is sufficient. What is the truth?

The explanation has been included in the newsletter https://www.motive.it/en/articoli-143-does-it-make-sense-to-put-an-ex-motor-with-a-non-ex-gearbox-.html :

More in detail, in Europe, under ATEX, a non-electrical Ex product such as a gearbox cannot be considered compliant based solely on the manufacturer’s declaration. This is NOT sufficient. Unlike Category 3, Category 2 requires a MANDATORY deposit of a comprehensive technical file with a NOTIFIED BODY in accordance with Directive 2014/34/EU (e.g. this TÜV certificate https://www.motive.it/upload/documenti/manuali/Certificato_ATEX_Riduttori_TUV.PDF).

For IECEx compliance of a Category 2 Ex gearbox, a certification issued by a notified certification body is also mandatory.

Any “self-assessment” approach that avoids certification cannot avoid to overlook critical safety aspects, such as magnesium content in aluminum alloys, paint type and thickness, thermal behavior under load, and fault conditions of the gearbox, etc, that only the manufacturer and/or the certification body can analize.

Physics laws also apply: a gearbox can become a potential source of ignition (explosion or fire) if not properly assessed and certified. 

What is IEC Ex certification?

It is similar to ATEX, but worldwide recognized and on voluntary basis. It may also be required in Europe to export Ex machinery globally.

ATEX, on the other hand, is only European, although accepted in many parts of the world. ATEX is mandatory to sell in Europe, even if IECEx is available. IECEx, instead, is voluntary, but is accepted without additional certifications in Australia and New Zealand, while in other countries it facilitates local certification. For example, thanks to IECEx we will also apply for CCC Ex in China.

Is IEC Ex better than ATEX?

The product standards are the same (IEC standards correspond to EN, IS, etc.), however IECEx also requires

• that the company organization be verified and periodically audited also for non-electrical products, which was not mandatory in ATEX audits
• that gearboxes undergo a full certification process as electrical products
• additional tests that are not required by ATEX

Will obtaining IECEx certification in Motive’s sector provide a competitive advantage?

Absolutely. While many motor manufacturers already have IECEx, IECEx-certified mechanical gearboxes are very rare. There is a way to check this on https://www.iecex-certs.com/#/search

To find them, search “80079 gearboxes”. 80079 is the Ex norm for mechanical products. You will find only one manufacturer in our sector. One also certified integrated gear-motors under 60079 (the “electrical norm”), but not a standalone gearbox for flange-to-flange mounting like ours.