Custom Engineered Panel — ATEX / IECEx Certification

Overview

Custom Engineered Panel assemblies intended for hazardous areas must be designed around the requirements of ATEX and IECEx, with the final configuration aligned to the applicable protection concept, equipment category, gas group, temperature class, and zone classification. Unlike standard industrial switchboards built only to IEC 61439, a panel for explosive atmospheres must also address the directives and standards that govern ignition risk, enclosure performance, and component suitability. In practice, this means selecting certified components and assemblies where relevant to IEC 60079 series requirements, then proving that the complete panel can operate safely under the intended environmental and electrical conditions. For low-voltage power distribution, the internal architecture may include ACBs, MCCBs, fuse-switch disconnectors, contactors, soft starters, VFDs, motor protection relays, power meters, and PLC-based control sections, but each item must be assessed for its temperature rise, energy dissipation, fault performance, and suitability in the hazardous zone or within a purged/pressurized enclosure. Where equipment is installed in Zone 1, Zone 2, or dust zones, the design may require Ex e increased safety, Ex d flameproof elements, Ex p pressurization, Ex t dust protection, or a combination thereof. Component selection must also consider IEC 60947 ratings for breaking capacity, utilization category, and coordination, especially where short-circuit withstand ratings up to 50 kA or higher are needed depending on the prospective fault level. The engineering process typically starts with a documented hazard assessment, then an equipment schedule identifying ratings such as Ue, Ie, Icu, Ics, ambient temperature range, IP degree, and maximum surface temperature. For IEC 61439-1 and IEC 61439-2 style verification, the panel builder must demonstrate dielectric strength, clearance and creepage adequacy, thermal performance, short-circuit withstand, and protective circuit continuity. For specialized control sections, IEC 61439-3 may apply to distribution boards used by ordinary persons, while IEC 61439-6 can be relevant where busbar trunking interfaces are included. In hazardous areas, the verification set is expanded by ATEX/IECEx file review, routine inspections, and conformity checks against the certified design. Real-world applications include offshore skids, petrochemical pump stations, tank farm auxiliaries, grain handling plants, paint booths, solvent recovery systems, and dust-extraction control rooms. In these environments, panel layouts often need segregated compartments with forms of separation adapted to the risk profile, careful cable gland selection, earth bonding, internal wiring derating, and non-sparking or limited-energy control circuits. If the enclosure relies on pressurization, interlocks, purge timing, and loss-of-pressure alarms become essential design elements. Certification compliance is not a one-time task. It requires controlled documentation, as-built traceability, test reports, nameplate marking, maintenance instructions, and periodic re-certification after modifications. Patrion’s engineering approach for ATEX / IECEx compliance on Custom Engineered Panel projects emphasizes design verification, component traceability, and production controls so that the delivered assembly matches the certified configuration and remains supportable throughout its service life.

Key Features

• ATEX / IECEx Certification compliance pathway for Custom Engineered Panel
• Design verification and testing requirements
• Documentation and certification procedures
• Component selection for standard compliance
• Ongoing compliance maintenance and re-certification

Specifications

Other Standards for Custom Engineered Panel

Other Panels Certified to ATEX / IECEx Certification

Frequently Asked Questions