Explosion-Proof & Intrinsically Safe Pressure Sensors

Certified ATEX & IECEx transmitters for Zone 0, 1, and 2 hazardous environments. Engineered for the oil & gas, hydrogen, and chemical sectors.

In hazardous areas, equipment failure isn’t just a downtime issue—it’s a safety catastrophe. Longvista provides high-performance pressure sensors that meet rigorous international explosion-protection standards. Whether you need Flameproof (Ex d) enclosures for pipelines or Intrinsically Safe (Ex ia) designs for volatile gas networks, our sensors deliver precision without compromise.

  • Certified Safety: Fully compliant with ATEX and IECEx for Gases (G) and Dust (D).

  • Swiss Reliability: Rugged 316L stainless steel or 17-4PH construction for corrosive media.

  • Hydrogen Ready: Specialized materials available for hydrogen and oxygen service to prevent embrittlement and ignition.

Quick Selection: Flameproof vs. Intrinsically Safe

Requirement Protection Method Recommended Model Best For
Zone 0 / 20 Intrinsically Safe (Ex ia) PF Series Gas tanks, small enclosures, medical oxygen
Zone 1 / 21 Flameproof (Ex d) P20EX Oil pipelines, refineries, heavy machinery
High Pressure Sputtered Thin Film PF100 Hydrogen stations, hydraulic power units
Vibration/Shock Piezoresistive Silicon P20EX Compressor stations, gas networks

 

Engineering Selection Guide (The Professional Checklist)

Choosing an ATEX-certified sensor is about more than just pressure ranges. To ensure system integrity and compliance, evaluate these four critical parameters:

1. Protection Concepts: Ex d vs. Ex ia

  • Flameproof (Ex d): Designed to contain an internal explosion and prevent it from igniting the surrounding atmosphere. Best for heavy-duty industrial power loops.

  • Intrinsically Safe (Ex ia): Limits the electrical energy (current and voltage) so that no spark or thermal effect can cause an ignition. Requires the use of a Zener barrier or galvanic isolator.

2. Understanding Gas vs. Dust Hazards

  • Group II (Gases): Categorized from IIA (Propane) to IIC (Hydrogen/Acetylene). If your site has hydrogen, you must specify IIC-rated sensors.

  • Group III (Dusts): Categorized for conductive and non-conductive combustible dusts (e.g., grain, coal, or sugar processing).

3. Material Compatibility & Hydrogen Embrittlement For Oil & Gas or Green Hydrogen applications, the sensor’s wetted parts (the parts touching the fluid) must be compatible. We offer 316L Stainless Steel for standard corrosive media and specialized treatments for Hydrogen Service to prevent metal embrittlement and leakage.

Field-Tested Recommendations by Industry

Based on our experience across global energy and chemical networks, we recommend these best practices for optimal sensor performance:

1. Hydrogen & Green Energy Applications

  • Leak Prevention: In hydrogen storage, use all-welded sputtered thin-film sensors (like the PF100). These have no internal O-rings, eliminating the risk of gas permeation.

  • Safety Tip: Always use Intrinsically Safe (Ex ia) models for hydrogen. Given hydrogen’s low ignition energy, limiting electrical power is the safest design philosophy.

2. Oil & Gas: Pipelines and Refineries

  • Vibration Management: Pipelines near compressor stations experience high mechanical stress. The P20EX uses a piezoresistive silicon element with high vibration tolerance to ensure the signal doesn’t “bounce” under load.

  • Environmental Protection: For offshore or coastal refineries, specify IP67/IP68 housings to protect internal electronics from salt-laden humidity and “breathing” effects caused by temperature cycles.

3. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Processing

  • Aggressive Media: When monitoring reactors with acidic or alkaline vapors, ensure the diaphragm is 316L stainless steel.

  • Signal Integrity: In plants with heavy electromagnetic interference (EMI) from large pumps, use the 4–20 mA (two-wire) output. It is the industry standard for long-distance transmission in hazardous zones as it is highly resistant to voltage drops and noise.

 

FAQ – Explosion-Proof Pressure Sensors

Q: What is the difference between ATEX and IECEx certifications? A: ATEX is a mandatory requirement for the European Union. IECEx is an international standard recognized in many global markets. Most of our sensors carry both, allowing you to use them in projects worldwide without re-certification.

Q: Do I always need a safety barrier (Zener Barrier) for your sensors? A: If you are using an Intrinsically Safe (Ex ia) sensor like our PF series, a safety barrier is mandatory to limit the energy entering the hazardous zone. For Flameproof (Ex d) models like the P20EX, a barrier is usually not required as the housing itself provides the protection.

Q: Can these sensors be used for Oxygen or Hydrogen service? A: Yes, but they must be specifically ordered for these applications. Oxygen service requires oil-free cleaning and special filling fluids to prevent combustion. Hydrogen service requires materials that resist hydrogen embrittlement.

Q: How do I choose between a 2-wire and 3-wire output in a hazardous area? A: In 90% of hazardous applications, 2-wire 4-20mA is the gold standard. It uses fewer wires (reducing ignition points), provides built-in cable-break monitoring, and is less affected by voltage drops over long cable runs.

Looking for sensors for less hazardous applications?

For other pressure monitoring solutions, see our Pressure Sensors collection.

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