Ex-Proof Crane

Ex-proof cranes are built for facilities where explosive gas, vapour or dust may be present: paint and chemical plants, fuel loading lines, flour and feed mills, and parts of pharmaceutical production.

The single aim of the design

The aim is singular: the equipment must never become an ignition source. This is achieved not by one measure but by several complementary layers.

On the electrical side, motors, brake coils, limit switches, the control box and the supply line are of certified ex-proof type. On the mechanical side, friction and impact spark risk is addressed with non-sparking materials, special surface coatings and protective arrangements at points exposed to impact.

The third layer is static electricity. Moving parts and the load are protected against charge build-up through continuous earthing.

Zone and temperature class

The facility declares the conditions the equipment must be built for: zone classification, gas or dust group, and temperature class. The temperature class follows the ignition temperature of the substance present; no surface of the equipment may exceed it.

Without these three pieces of information the correct equipment cannot be selected, which is why the facility's explosion protection document is requested at the quotation stage.

Certification

The source catalogue states ATEX certification for this product group. Equipment is selected and certified against the classes declared by the facility, and the certificates form part of the delivery file.

Applications

Paint and solvent production, chemical and petrochemical plants, fuel terminals, flour and feed mills, production areas generating wood dust.