You use an ATEX tablet in environments where explosive hazards could pose a possible risk. ATEX is an abbreviation of the first two letters of 'atmosphere explosive'. Not all explosion protection tablets are the same. The prices alone are extremely diverse: between twelve hundred and more than seven thousand euros including VAT. But more important than the price are the qualities and features of such a tablet. To know which model you need when working in a high-risk explosive area, you need to know in which zone your work and the explosion hazard fall.
The different zones on an ATEX tablet
First of all, you can distinguish between gas and dust explosive. If there is a gas or vapor explosion hazard, the tablet falls into zone 0, 1 or 2. If there is a dust explosion hazard, the category is zone 20, 21 or 22. Each number represents a zone. Does a dangerous gas or substance occur for more than a thousand hours – almost always? Then this falls into zone 0 or 20 (0 for gas, 20 for dust). If the presence is between one hundred and one thousand hours, the tablet falls into zone 1 or 21. For a gas or substance that is present for less than ten hours, a tablet for zone 2 or 22 is most suitable. Before you place an order, make sure you know which tablet or ATEX phone you want to use for which zone.
Various brands of tablets
The tablets that you can purchase are from the brands Bartec, Ecom, Getac, Apple and i.safe. In general, you can choose between horizontal and vertical screens. There is also the option to wear your tablet on your head with a special construction. This way you have your hands free and the ATEX tablet can perform its measurements.