Straightpoint has expanded their range of ATEX products conform to a new directive—2014/34/EU—that becomes effective April 20, 2016, updating 94/9/EC.

At the turn of the year, the force measurement, load monitoring and suspended weighing load cell equipment manufacturer launched an ATEX and IECEx version of its most popular product, the Radiolink Plus wireless load cell, which met Zone 0, 1 and 2 hazardous area classification.

An ATEX version of the wireless Handheld Plus followed, while other wireless products including compression cells, shackle cells, load pins and the Running Line Dynamometer (or TIMH), part of the manufacturer’s tension in motion range, are also in accordance with the new 2014/34/EU directive and boast classification in the three zone, including 0 (an area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods)—unprecedented in wireless below-the-hook force measurement technology.

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Roshan Divakaran, design engineer, Straightpoint, said: “We have been in close collaboration with the Sira Certification Service, an independent certification body, for more than two years and it has been very helpful with the new directive implementation and certifications for the new products we’ve introduced. We have not only expanded our ATEX range of products, but we will be in a position to supply them from the first week of May—almost simultaneous with the new directive becoming effective.”

Divakaran explained that the notable changes to the directive largely centre on terminology, citing references to an EU Declaration of Conformity rather than EC Declaration of Conformity, prevalent in 94/9/EC. He also pointed to the EC type examination certificate becoming an EU type examination certificate in 2014/34/EU.

David Ayling, director, Straightpoint, said: “We have come a long way since making a decision in early 2014 to introduce the benefits of our best selling product, the Radiolink Plus, to applications where products that meet the requirements of ATEX are required to work in extremely hazardous environments. To launch the expanded range as the 2014/34/EU directive becomes effective is testimony to the dedication of Roshan and his team in addition to the strength of our relationship with the Sira Certification Service.”

Divakaran said: “We are experiencing growing demand for the ATEX products and anticipate continued interest in the Radiolink Plus and the expanded range, heightened by 2014/34/EU becoming effective as we speak.”