arpadveress 
What is a skid? A pump – clutch – motor combo is a(n) …?
Note: just few weeks ago we have been confrontated with a project where new facilities have been deployed and delivered as one product. Message here: “so the enduser just has to turn it on”. And then the operational team has recognized what they received.
§ 40 Equipment
Equipment; as defined in the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, means machines, apparatus, fixed or mobile devices, control components and instrumentation thereof and detection or prevention systems which, separately or jointly, are intended for the generation, transfer, storage, measurement, control and conversion of energy and/or the processing of material and which are capable of causing an explosion through their own potential sources of ignition.
(Quote: ATEX Guideline 4th edition)
Equipment (electrical, mechanical) used or connected to potential hazardous areas fall under ATEX Directive and shall comply with the Directive. It shall have a manufacturer, shall be supplied with relevant documentations such as Ex compliance certificate, IOMs, drawings, label and …. Note: same with IECEx
§ 44 Combined equipment (assemblies)
From the term “jointly” in the definition of equipment in the Directive (Article 2(1)) it follows that a product, formed by combining two or more pieces of equipment, together with components if necessary and together with other parts as necessary, that are electrically and mechanically interconnected to create a complete functional assembly, has to be considered as a product falling under the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU. This combined product or assembly must be placed on the market and/or put into service by a responsible person (who will then be the manufacturer of that assembly) as a single functional unit.
(Quote: ATEX Guideline 4th edition)
Similarities and/or differentiations?
3.1 Equipment assembly: pre-manufactured combination of Ex Equipment and Ex Components, together with other parts as necessary, that are electrically or mechanically interconnected, that are pre-assembled prior to being placed into service at the end-user site, and that can be disassembled and then re-assembled at the end-user site.
(Quote: IEC 60079-46)
– Equipment has a manufacturer
– Assembly has an assembler
– Equipment: Ex inspection only needed for the inlet and outlet – not to all parts
– Assembly: Ex inspection shall be relevant for the overall assembly including all internal and external connections
– Equipment: Maintenance and repair, exchange of parts according to IOM
– Assembly: Maintenance and repair, exchange of parts according to good engineering practice (here IEC 60079-46 has new points to mention – it is still a TS – technical specification)
IEC 60079-46 – Explosive atmospheres – Part 46: Equipment assemblies
IEC TS 60079-46:2017 specifies requirements for the design, construction, assembly, testing, inspection, marking, documenting and assessment of equipment assemblies for use in explosive atmospheres under the responsibility of the manufacturer of the equipment assembly. The requirements of this document apply to individual items according to the IEC 60079 series or ISO 80079 series that comprise the assembly and that have individual certificates. These individual items are then integrated as part of the equipment assembly. Also included are requirements to address aspects for the assembly which may be beyond the certificates of the individual items forming the assembly. The scope of this document includes assessment of the additional requirements for assemblies for hazardous areas and does not include requirements for non-hazardous areas. It is assumed that compliance with other electrical or mechanical requirements that are applicable for non-hazardous areas will be verified by either the same or different party in addition to the requirements of this document.
So important to mention that before purchase one shall decide to go ahead with an “Equipment” or an “Assembly”.
Keep up the good work!
Arpad
veress@exprofessional.com
exprofessional.com
