TIVAL FF 4 ATEX pressure switch - ATEX EN 60079 for hazardous areas
Mechanical pressure switches with explosion protection for hazardous atmospheres
The TIVAL FF 4 ATEX are specialized explosion protection pressure switches with ATEX EN 60079 certification. With intrinsically safe versions for mining (IM2 Ex ia IMb) and chemicals (II 2G Ex ia IIC T6 Gb), they offer reliable pressure monitoring in explosive atmospheres. Pressure ranges up to 250 bar with zener bar integration.
FF 4 ATEX - Pressure switch for explosive atmospheres and ATEX areas
The FF 4 ATEX is the special explosion protection version of the TIVAL Pressure switches with full ATEX EN 60079 certification. These pressure switches can be used in explosive atmospheres - for example in mining, chemical and gas installations. With intrinsically safe versions (IM2 Ex ia IMb for mining, II 2G Ex ia IIC T6 Gb for chemicals), ATEX offers maximum explosion protection. Special electronics such as the MTL 7787+ Zener bar and TS-500 Ex isolating amplifier are integrated.
Technical features & Construction
Depending on the version, the FF 4 ATEX has DAH diaphragm or PAH piston technology, combined with intrinsically safe electronics. The housing is made of reinforced die-cast zinc or stainless steel with a robust design for harsh environments. The connection thread is either silumin or stainless steel depending on the version. The special electronic circuit with Zener bar (MTL 7787+) and isolating switching amplifier (TS-500 Ex) limits energies below ignition thresholds. The pressure range extends from 0.11 to 250 bar depending on the basic type (AB DAH + AC DAH + AC PAH + AC AAG variants).
Pressure ranges & areas of application
The FF 4 ATEX specializes in explosive atmospheres in the mining, chemical, oil/natural gas and processing industries. With 4 basic variants (AB DAH for mining, AC DAH/PAH/AAG for chemicals), the pressure ranges 0.11 to 250 bar cover all requirements. Mining variants (IM2 Ex ia IMb) are certified for underground applications. Chemical variants (II 2G Ex ia IIC T6 Gb) are tested for hydrogen, acetylene and methane atmospheres. Typical applications are pressure build-up control and gas pipeline monitoring.
Standards & approvals
The FF 4 ATEX complies with the ATEX EN 60079 directive - the central EU regulation for explosion protection in explosive atmospheres. IM2 Ex ia IMb is the highest safety level for mining applications (Intrinsic Safety Concept). II 2G Ex ia IIC T6 Gb is the chemical certification up to temperature class T6. In addition, FF 4 complies with ATEX VDE 0660, IEC 337-1 and IEC 553-1. Special ATEX requirements are met with zener bar and isolating switching amplifier. PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) is taken into account for high-pressure versions.
ATEX vs. standard FF 4 variants
While standard FF 4 is for safe industrial environments, ATEX specializes in explosive atmospheres with explosion protection. ATEX has special intrinsically safe electronics (Zener bars, isolating switching amplifiers) that standard variants do not have. ATEX is considerably more complex and expensive because of the explosion protection certification. ATEX offers maximum pressure range flexibility (0.11-250 bar with 4 variants). For mining or chemical industries with explosive gases, ATEX is the only permissible choice - standard pressure switches are not permitted in hazardous areas.
| Article | Upper | Lower Switching point Adjustable (bar) | Kl. pressure- difference* (bar) | Maximum Operating pressure (bar) | Maximum Test pressure (bar) | Factory setting (bar) | Article number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF 4-2 AB DAH | 0,11 ... 2 | 0,04 ... 1,89 | 0,07 0,11 | 20 | 40 | 0,5 / 1,5 | 1030133 |
| FF 4- 4 AB DAH | 0,22 ... 4 | 0,07 ... 3,75 | 0,15 0,25 | 24 | 40 | 1 / 3 | 1030134 |
| FF 4- 8 AB DAH | 0,5 ... 8 | 0,2 ... 7,5 | 0,3 0,5 | 30 | 40 | 2 / 6 | 1030135 |
| FF 4-16 AB DAH | 1 ... 16 | 0,4 ... 15 | 0,6 1 | 36 | 48 | 4 / 12 | 1030136 |
| FF 4-60 AB PAH | 8 ... 60 | 4 ... 52 | 4 8 | 100 | 120 | 20 / 40 | 1030138 |
| FF 4-120 AB PAH | 16 ... 120 | 8 ... 104 | 8 16 | 200 | 240 | 20 / 80 | 1030139 |
| FF 4-250 AB PAH | 30 ... 250 | 14 ... 226 | 12 24 | 400 | 500 | 100 / 200 | 1030140 |
*at the lower ... upper end of the range
Model series for chemistry
| Article | Upper | Lower Switching point Adjustable (bar) | cl. pressure- difference* (bar) | Maximum Operating pressure (bar) | Maximum Test pressure (bar) | Factory setting (bar) | Article number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF 4-2 AC DAH | 0,11 ... 2 | 0,04 ... 1,89 | 0,07 0,11 | 20 | 40 | 0,5 / 1,5 | 1030141 |
| FF 4- 4 AC DAH | 0,22 ... 4 | 0,07 ... 3,75 | 0,15 0,25 | 24 | 40 | 1 / 3 | 1030142 |
| FF 4- 8 AC DAH | 0,5 ... 8 | 0,2 ... 7,5 | 0,3 0,5 | 30 | 40 | 2 / 6 | 1030144 |
| FF 4-16 AC DAH | 1 ... 16 | 0,4 ... 15 | 0,6 1 | 36 | 48 | 4 / 12 | 1030145 |
| FF 4-12 AC DAH | 2 ... 32 | 0,8 ... 30 | 1,1 2 | 52 | 64 | 10 / 20 | 1030146 |
| FF 4-60 AC PAH | 8 ... 60 | 4 ... 52 | 4 8 | 100 | 120 | 20 / 40 | 1030147 |
| FF 4-120 AC PAH | 16 ... 120 | 8 ... 104 | 8 16 | 200 | 240 | 20 / 80 | 1030149 |
| FF 4-250 AC PAH | 30 ... 250 | 14 ... 226 | 12 24 | 400 | 500 | 100 / 200 | 1030150 |
| FF 4-12 AC AAG | 1 ... 12 | 0,5 ... 11,2 | 0,5 0,8 | 12 | 16 | 6 / 7 | 1030131 |
| FF 4-30 AC AAG | 4 ... 30 | 1 ... 26,4 | 1,8 3,6 | 30 | 42 | 16 / 20 | 1030132 |
*at the lower ... upper end of the range