In industries where explosive atmospheres are a daily reality—think oil & gas, chemical processing, and mining—ATEX-certified sensors are more than just tools; they’re lifelines. These sensors are engineered to operate safely in environments filled with flammable gases, vapors, or dust, where even a tiny spark could trigger disaster.
ATEX (short for ATmosphères EXplosibles) certification ensures that equipment meets stringent European safety standards. Sensors with this designation fall into two main categories: intrinsically safe (limiting electrical energy to prevent ignition) and explosion-proof (designed to contain any internal ignition). From pressure transmitters to radar level sensors, these devices provide critical measurements without compromising safety.
For example, ATEX-approved linear sensors are vital in monitoring fuel tanks expansion in Zone 0 environments, where explosive atmospheres are present continuously. Similarly, rotary encoders are used in grain handling or pharmaceutical powder processing, where combustible dust poses a threat.
Choosing the right sensor means matching its certification—Zone, Gas/Dust Group, and Temperature Class—with the specific hazards of your site. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about protecting lives, assets, and operational continuity.
The intrinsically safe X603 tilt sensor is ATEX and IECEx approved for use in potentially explosive gas and vapour atmospheres. It is designed for industrial and scientific feedback applications and is ideal for OEMs seeking a high accuracy tilt sensor for demanding applications in hazardous areas.
The X603, like all Positek sensors, is supplied with the output calibrated to the angle required by the customer, between 15 and 160 degrees, and with full EMC protection built in. The tilt sensor provides a linear output characteristic with angle of deflection. There is a machined registration mark to identify the calibrated midpoint.
Overall performance, repeatability, and stability are outstanding over a wide temperature range. Electrical connections are made via an industrial-standard 4-pin M12 connector, with limited rotational capability to facilitate cable routing.
The sensor has a rugged stainless steel body and anodized aluminium mounting flange. The flange has two 4.5 mm by 30-degree-wide slots on a 48 mm pitch to simplify mounting and position adjustment. Environmental sealing is rated to IP67.
Positek intrinsically safe tilt sensors are designed to be used with a galvanically isolated amplifier. Approved galvanic isolation amplifiers (X005) are available from Positek, with a choice of 0.5–9.5V or 4–20mA transmission outputs.
The sensor can be installed with a cable length of up to 1 km between the sensor and the amplifier.
The intrinsically safe E133 is ATEX and IECEx approved for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour and dust atmospheres. It is designed for a wide range of industrial applications and is ideal for OEMs seeking good sensor performance in situations where a mid-bodied sensor is required for operation in hazardous areas. The unit is compact and space-efficient, being responsive along almost its entire length, and like all Positek sensors provides a linear output proportional to displacement. Each unit is supplied with the output calibrated to the travel required by the customer, from 0-51mm to 0-100mm and with full EMC protection built in.
Overall performance, repeatability and stability are outstanding over a wide temperature range.
The sensor has a rugged stainless steel body and plunger. It is easy to install and set up, mounting options include flange and body clamps. The plunger can be supplied free or captive, with female M4 thread, or spring-loaded with a ball end. The E133 also offers a wide range of mechanical options, environmental sealing is to IP65 or IP67 depending on selected cable or connector options.
Positek intrinsically safe sensors are designed to be used with a galvanically isolated amplifier. Approved galvanic isolation amplifiers (X005) are available from Positek; there is a choice of 0.5-9.5V or 4-20mA transmission outputs.
The sensor can be installed with a cable length up to 1km between the sensor and the amplifier.
The intrinsically safe E100 is ATEX and IECEx approved for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour and dust atmospheres. It is designed for demanding hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder position feedback applications where service life, environmental resistance and cost are important and is ideal for OEMs seeking good sensor performance for arduous applications in hazardous areas.
Overall performance, repeat-ability and stability are outstanding over a wide temperature range. The unit is highly compact and space-efficient, being responsive along almost its entire length. Like all Positek sensors, the E100 provides a linear output proportional to displacement. Each unit is supplied with the output calibrated to the travel required by the customer, from 0-5mm to 0-800mm and with full EMC protection built in.
The sensor is very rugged, being made of stainless steel with an inert fluoropolymer-sheathed probe and stainless steel target tube. The sensor is easy to install in cylinders and has a wide range of mechanical options. Environmental sealing is to IP65 or IP67 depending on selected cable or connector options.
Positek intrinsically safe sensors are designed to be used with a galvanically isolated amplifier . Approved galvanic isolation amplifiers (X005) are available from Positek; there is a choice of 0.5-9.5V or 4-20mA transmission outputs.
The sensor can be installed with a cable length up to 1km between the sensor and the amplifier.
The intrinsically safe E112 is ATEX and IECEx approved for use in potentially explosive gas/vapour and dust atmospheres. It is designed for gauge head positioning in industrial and scientific applications and is ideal for OEMs seeking good sensor performance for arduous applications in hazardous areas. The E112, like all Positek sensors, provides a linear output proportional to displacement. Each sensor is supplied with the output calibrated to the travel required by the customer, from 0-5mm to 0-50mm and with full EMC protection built in.
Overall performance, repeatability and stability are outstanding over a wide temperature range. The sensor is very robust, the body and plunger being made of stainless steel for long service life and environmental resistance.
The plunger is spring loaded with a domed end. The E112 is easy to install with a long ½ inch UNF mounting thread and is supplied with two lock nuts for positioning. Environmental sealing is to IP67.
Positek intrinsically safe sensors are designed to be used with a galvanically isolated amplifier . Approved galvanic isolation amplifiers (X005) are available from Positek; there is a choice of 0.5-9.5V or 4-20mA transmission outputs.
The sensor can be installed with a cable length up to 1km between the sensor and the amplifier.
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