ATEX approval for drainage products
Electrical drainage equipment used in potentially explosive areas requires ATEX approval. For example, potentially explosive areas include the public sewer system, into which fuels are sometimes illicitly introduced, or pump sumps in pumping stations for wastewater with sewage. To obtain ATEX approval, drainage products must comply with one of the following directives:
- 94/9/EC for products with a launch date before 20 April 2016
- 2014/34/EU for products with a launch date from 20 April 2016
KESSEL pump technology with ATEX approval
Various KESSEL pumps and wet pumping stations with ATEX approval are available for the disposal of wastewater with sewage. The explosion protection prevents flammable gases such as hydrogen sulfide or methane gas from being ignited in contact with electrical components. Flammable gases can be generated in wastewater tanks, for example by biological digestion processes.
Explosion protection during maintenance
Adequate ventilation must be provided for maintenance work requiring the opening of the wastewater tank. In addition, it is important to ensure that no ignition sources are present in the immediate vicinity. This also applies to dry installed pumping and lifting stations whose pumps do not require ATEX approval.