What is an ATEX Computer?

An ATEX computer is a specialized industrial computing device designed and certified to operate safely in explosive atmospheres. The term "ATEX" derives from the French "ATmosphères EXplosives" and refers to two European Union directives (2014/34/EU for equipment and 1999/92/EC for workplace safety) that govern equipment intended for use in such hazardous areas. These computers are engineered to prevent ignition sources, such as sparks or excessive heat, which could trigger an explosion in environments containing flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dusts. They achieve this through robust enclosures, intrinsic safety barriers, power limitation, and careful thermal management.

Key Specifications and Design Principles

ATEX-certified computers are not defined by a single processor or specification but by their compliance with stringent safety standards. Their technical design focuses on containment and prevention:

• Enclosure Rating: Housings are often robust (e.g., stainless steel or heavy-duty aluminum) and sealed to specific Ingress Protection (IP) ratings to prevent dust and moisture ingress.

• Temperature Control: Components and housings are designed to keep surface temperatures below the ignition point of specific hazardous substances.

• Power and Circuitry: Internal electronics use power-limiting techniques or are housed in explosion-proof enclosures that can contain an internal explosion without letting it propagate externally.

• Certification Zones: Devices are certified for specific zones (e.g., Zone 1/21 for high-risk gas/dust atmospheres or Zone 2/22 for lower risk), which dictates their design complexity.

Use Cases and Applications

These computers are critical in industries where explosive atmospheres are a constant or potential risk. Common applications include:

• Oil & Gas: On drilling rigs, refineries, and pipelines for process control and monitoring.

• Chemical & Pharmaceutical: In manufacturing plants handling volatile solvents and powders.

• Mining: For underground operations where combustible dust or methane may be present.

• Grain Handling & Food Processing: In silos and mills where fine combustible dust is generated.

• Paint & Coatings: In spray booths and areas with flammable vapor concentrations.

Comparison of Computer Types for Hazardous Areas

While the sample products listed are not ATEX-certified, they represent the core computing platforms that can be integrated into ATEX-compliant systems. The choice of internal platform depends on the performance needs of the application.

Thinvent Products Featuring ATEX-Ready Platforms

Thinvent manufactures a robust range of industrial computing platforms that serve as the ideal foundation for system integrators building ATEX-certified solutions. Our product lines, from the fanless, low-heat Micro Series with ARM processors to the powerful Industrial PC (IPC) Series with Intel Core processors, are designed for reliability in harsh environments. Key features like wide operating temperature ranges, solid-state storage, and support for industrial operating systems (Thinux™, Ubuntu Linux, Windows IoT) make them suitable for integration into explosion-proof enclosures. For projects requiring deployment in hazardous locations, Thinvent's standard industrial computers provide the dependable computing core, allowing partners to focus on the critical safety engineering and certification for the final ATEX assembly.