prEN 50XXX

Amendment "b" to ÖVE EX 65 - Electrical installation in potentially explosive atmospheres"b" prEN 50XXX

Scope

Since Directive 94/9/EC on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres came into force for voluntary application on 1 March 1996 and will become mandatory on 1 July 2003 the need for adapting the relevant installation rules has become obvious. Moreover a Directive on minimum requirements for the health and safety protection of workers who might be endangered by explosive atmospheres (a.k.a. ATEX8a -Directive) could be ready for adoption around mid 1999, based on the Commission proposal (95)310 final - 95/0235(Syn)The main shortcomings of the present NS are: - makes no reference to the Categories which have been introduced by Directive 94/9/EC so that installers cannot relate those Categories with the relevant installation requirements; - no reference to the marking system of Directive 94/9/EC; - it still refers to only two zones for dust and zone definitions are generally not in line with the currently valid CEN and CENELEC standards and the 18a-Directive; - no reference whatsoever is made to protective systems and therefore no rules for their installation are given