ATEX equipment and gland hole drilling

You are correct that in general -for an end user- it is permitted to drill/tap entries into an Ex e enclosure, following the manufacturer's instructions and certificate special conditions of use. However, things may be different if you are planning to modify the enclosures and then resell them (perhaps as part of a larger project or system). In this case you would become an "economic operator" as per https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/1107/contents/made and potentially become classed as a manufacturer.


I don't want to second guess Hawke, but it looks like their advice was on this basis.


So the two key questions I would have are

1) are you (in the generic sense ie you personally or your employer etc) the end user, or are you going to sell them on to the end user?

2) are you actually looking at PL6 series ie fitted with terminals and certified as equipment with a certificate ending in "X"; or are they empty component enclosures, ZPL6 series I think, with no terminals and a certificate ending in "U".


If they are equipment do they already come with entries and blanking plugs fitted by Hawke? And then you want to fit extra entries?


Assuming you are an end user, then BS EN 60079-14 is a good place to start for an overview of the requirements.

f you are re-selling then there is a lot more to it, but be aware than it is not permitted to self-certify Category 2 (ie Zone 1/21 ) equipment, which might be relevant if you are modifying them.


As background info, be aware that it is more complicated to make additional entries into GRP enclosures, because it is easy to weaken the structure so that it wouldn't meet the impact requirements. It *might* that they already have the maximum number of entries permitted by the certificate when supplied by the manufacturer - hence the advice that if you want to add more it is up to you to get it re-certified. The other issue is that insulating enclosures often have a metal plate internal to maintain the electrical conductivity. So as well as drilling the main enclosure you might have to punch holes in this plate. Again this *might* affect the certification.  


Hope this helps as a starter. We really need to understand what exactly you intend to do with the enclosure to advise further (ie are you an installer covered by DSEAR or manufacturer/distributor covered by the equipment regulations).I'm far from an expert on the former, but believe you have more flexibility than the latter.

You are correct that in general -for an end user- it is permitted to drill/tap entries into an Ex e enclosure, following the manufacturer's instructions and certificate special conditions of use. However, things may be different if you are planning to modify the enclosures and then resell them (perhaps as part of a larger project or system). In this case you would become an "economic operator" as per https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/1107/contents/made and potentially become classed as a manufacturer.


I don't want to second guess Hawke, but it looks like their advice was on this basis.


So the two key questions I would have are

1) are you (in the generic sense ie you personally or your employer etc) the end user, or are you going to sell them on to the end user?

2) are you actually looking at PL6 series ie fitted with terminals and certified as equipment with a certificate ending in "X"; or are they empty component enclosures, ZPL6 series I think, with no terminals and a certificate ending in "U".


If they are equipment do they already come with entries and blanking plugs fitted by Hawke? And then you want to fit extra entries?


Assuming you are an end user, then BS EN 60079-14 is a good place to start for an overview of the requirements.

f you are re-selling then there is a lot more to it, but be aware than it is not permitted to self-certify Category 2 (ie Zone 1/21 ) equipment, which might be relevant if you are modifying them.


As background info, be aware that it is more complicated to make additional entries into GRP enclosures, because it is easy to weaken the structure so that it wouldn't meet the impact requirements. It *might* that they already have the maximum number of entries permitted by the certificate when supplied by the manufacturer - hence the advice that if you want to add more it is up to you to get it re-certified. The other issue is that insulating enclosures often have a metal plate internal to maintain the electrical conductivity. So as well as drilling the main enclosure you might have to punch holes in this plate. Again this *might* affect the certification.  


Hope this helps as a starter. We really need to understand what exactly you intend to do with the enclosure to advise further (ie are you an installer covered by DSEAR or manufacturer/distributor covered by the equipment regulations).I'm far from an expert on the former, but believe you have more flexibility than the latter.