Piezoelectric switches re-certified according to ATEX/IECEx

5th October 2020

Schurter AG

Alex Lynn

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Piezoelectric switches are particularly tough. They are hermetically sealed and have no mechanical switching contacts. The production site of the SCHURTER PSE EX has just been re-certified according to ATEX/IECEx. The switches of the SCHURTER PSE EX family feature aluminium or stainless-steel housings.

They offer maximum reliability and a long service life. Due to their hermetically sealed housing (IP69K) they are predestined for use in the harshest environments, in potentially explosive installations above ground, in areas with flammable air-gas mixtures, vapours and dust.

ATEX certification means that such an approved product can be used and operated in potentially explosive atmospheres. It therefore has the required safety that no ignition of dangerous air-gas mixtures can be triggered.

The designation ATEX is derived from the French abbreviation for ATmosphères EXplosibles. The regulation currently comprises two directives in the field of explosion protection (ATEX Product Directive 2014/34/EU and the ATEX Operating Directive 1999/92/EC).

In addition to the European ATEX certification, all SCHURTER PSE EX products also have the internationally valid IECEx certification.

The PSE EX was last certified on 19.08.2020. This was a surveillance audit of the production site. In order to be able to offer ATEX/IECEx certified products, the manufacturer always needs a product and production site certification.

The potential areas of application of explosion protected components are very diverse. In principle, they are recommended for use wherever explosive atmospheres can arise or prevail. Such atmospheres can occur in refineries (petrochemical industry), mills (food processing), gas works, the chemical industry and others. The SCHURTER PSE EX is certified for above-ground applications, not for underground construction.