Hazardous-area and industrial enclosures
Ex e Stainless Steel Enclosures and Panels
Panel Technologies supplies Ex e (Exe) enclosures and Ex control stations in SS304 and SS316L, with ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certified ranges for Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22, plus SS enclosures and SS panels for safe areas.
- Zone 1 · 2 · 21 · 22
- Gas IIC · Dust IIIC
- IP66 to IEC 60529
−20 °C to +135 °CEnclosure service temperature
IK10Small junction boxes
- Certification
- ATEX · IECEx · UKEX · PESO
- Protection concepts
- Ex eb · Ex tb · Ex i
- Material and thickness
- SS304 / SS316L · 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 mm
- Certified sizes (H × W × D)
- 100 × 100 × 61 to 2000 × 800 × 600 mm
Product overview
SS enclosures for hazardous and general industrial areas
A stainless steel (SS) enclosure protects electrical, control and instrumentation equipment from dust, water and corrosive atmospheres. Stainless steel on its own does not make an enclosure suitable for a hazardous area. That depends on certification for the protection concept, the zone, the gas or dust group and the temperature limits of the installation.
The range supplied by Panel Technologies is split into three product lines, so it is clear which ones are certified for explosive atmospheres.
Ex e empty enclosures
SS304 / SS316L enclosures certified as Ex components (Ex eb IIC Gb, Ex tb IIIC Db), supplied un-drilled or drilled, for building Ex e junction boxes, terminal boxes and panels.
- Zone 1, 2, 21, 22
- Component certificate (U)
Ex equipment solutions
Assembled Ex operator boxes, control stations, HMI stations and power control boxes, certified as complete equipment and marked Ex db eb ia/ib mb IIC T6…T4 Gb.
- Zone 1, 2, 21, 22
- Equipment certificate (X)
General-purpose SS enclosures and SS panels
CE range in SS304 / SS316L from 150 × 150 × 100 mm to 2000 × 1800 × 800 mm with single or double doors, plus custom-built and modular SS panels.
- Non-hazardous (safe) areas
Start with the area classification. If the installation point is Zone 1, 2, 21 or 22, choose a certified Ex configuration. If it is a non-classified (safe) area, a general-purpose SS enclosure or SS panel can be used.
Key features
Key features of the Ex e SS enclosure range
Construction details documented for the certified Ex range.
Hazardous-area certification
ATEX, IECEx, UKEX and PESO certification listed for Zone 1 and 2 (gas) and Zone 21 and 22 (dust), using the Ex eb, Ex tb and Ex i protection concepts.
SS304 or SS316L body
Stainless steel in SS304 or SS316L, 1.2, 1.5 or 2.0 mm thick, with an optional industrial painted finish.
IP66 ingress protection
Tested and certified to IEC 60529 for IP66: dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets.
Impact resistance
IK10 for small junction boxes. IK7, IK8 or IK9 options for medium and large enclosures.
High-temperature silicone gasket
Silicone sealing with UV, moisture, oil and chemical resistance. Empty-enclosure service temperature: −20 °C to +135 °C.
Metric or NPT cable entry
Supplied un-drilled or drilled on request, with Metric or NPT entries. Cable glands on request.
Locking options
Single-door Ex enclosures with bolted, hinge-and-bolted, single-point or three-point locking, depending on size.
RoHS and REACH
Materials stated as RoHS and REACH compliant in the range documentation.
Technical data
Technical specifications
The empty enclosure and the assembled Ex equipment carry different markings and different certificates. Keep the two columns separate when you specify a product.
Ex e empty enclosure vs. Ex equipment solutions
| Material | Stainless steel SS304 / SS316L |
|---|---|
| Enclosure type | Empty enclosure, un-drilled or drilled on request |
| Certification | ATEX, IECEx, UKEX, PESO |
| ATEX marking | II 2 G Ex eb IIC Gb II 2 D Ex tb IIIC Db |
| IECEx marking | Ex eb IIC Gb Ex tb IIIC Db |
| UKEX marking | Ex eb IIC Gb Ex tb IIIC Db |
| Temperature class | Not assigned to the empty enclosure; set for the final assembled equipment |
| Service temperature | −20 °C to +135 °C |
| IP rating | IP66 |
| Gasket | Silicone |
| Cable entry | Metric / NPT; cable glands on request |
| Certificate numbers | ATEX: CML 17ATEX3291U IECEx: IECEx CML 17.0160U UKEX: CML 23UKEX3674U |
| Material | Stainless steel SS304 / SS316L |
|---|---|
| Equipment type | Ex operator boxes, control stations, HMI stations, power control boxes, etc. |
| Certification | ATEX, IECEx, UKEX, PESO, CE |
| ATEX marking | II 2 G Ex db eb ia/ib mb IIC T6…T4 Gb II 2 D Ex tb IIIC T85°C…T135°C Db |
| IECEx marking | Ex db eb ia/ib mb IIC T6…T4 Gb Ex tb IIIC T85°C…T135°C Db |
| UKEX marking | Ex db eb ia/ib mb IIC T6…T4 Gb Ex tb IIIC T85°C…T135°C Db |
| Temperature class | T6 / T5 / T4 |
| Ambient temperature | −20 °C to +60 °C |
| IP rating | IP66 |
| Gasket | Not listed separately in the equipment data |
| Cable entry | Metric / NPT; cable glands on request |
| Certificate numbers | ATEX: CML 23ATEX3676X IECEx: IECEx CML 23.0204X UKEX: CML 23UKEX3678X |
Construction options: certified Ex range and general-purpose CE range
| Option | ATEX / IECEx / UKEX range | General-purpose CE range |
|---|---|---|
| Material | SS304, SS316L | SS304, SS316L |
| Sheet thickness | 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm | 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm |
| Locking | Bolt, single-point lock, triple-point lock | Bolt, single-point lock, triple-point lock |
| Doors | Single door | Single or double door |
| Sizes (H × W × D) | From 100 × 100 × 61 mm up to 1400 × 1200 × 400, 1500 × 1000 × 500 or 2000 × 800 × 600 mm | 150 × 150 × 100 mm to 2000 × 1800 × 800 mm |
| Ingress protection | IP66 | Depends on size |
| Intended area | Zone 1, 2 (gas) and Zone 21, 22 (dust) | Non-hazardous (safe) areas |
Available option combinations depend on the size. Confirm the combination you need when you enquire.
Standard sizes: ATEX / IECEx / UKEX SS enclosures
The standard-size table lists 75 single-door enclosures in SS304 / SS316L, from 100 × 100 × 61 mm to 2000 × 800 × 600 mm (H × W × D). Many sizes have two to four depth options.
Show all 75 standard sizes
All dimensions in mm. Locking: Bolted; HB = hinge and bolted; SPL = single-point lock; TPL = three-point lock. A slash separates the options listed for that size. For other sizes or constructional details, contact us with your requirement.
| H × W | Depth options | Locking |
|---|---|---|
| 100 × 100 | 61 | Bolted |
| 100 × 150 | 61 | Bolted |
| 100 × 200 | 61 | Bolted |
| 150 × 150 | 81 / 100 | Bolted |
| 150 × 300 | 81 / 100 | Bolted |
| 200 × 200 | 81 / 100 | Bolted |
| 200 × 200 | 121 / 150 | Bolted |
| 200 × 300 | 100 / 121 / 150 | Bolted |
| 200 × 400 | 121 / 150 | Bolted |
| 200 × 600 | 121 | Bolted |
| 250 × 200 | 100 / 120 / 155 | SPL/HB |
| 250 × 250 | 100 | SPL/HB |
| 250 × 350 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 150 | 81 | Bolted |
| 300 × 200 | 81 | Bolted |
| 300 × 300 | 100 / 120 / 160 | Bolted |
| 300 × 300 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 350 | 100 | Bolted |
| 300 × 350 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 400 | 100 | Bolted |
| 300 × 400 | 120 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 400 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 450 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 500 | 160 / 200 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 500 | 161 | Bolted |
| 300 × 600 | 160 | SPL/HB |
| 300 × 600 | 161 | Bolted |
| H × W | Depth options | Locking |
|---|---|---|
| 380 × 300 | 150 / 210 | SPL/HB |
| 380 × 380 | 161 | Bolted |
| 380 × 380 | 210 | SPL/HB |
| 400 × 200 | 121 | Bolted |
| 400 × 300 | 161 | Bolted |
| 400 × 400 | 150 / 160 | SPL/HB |
| 400 × 400 | 200 / 250 | SPL/HB |
| 400 × 500 | 161 / 200 / 250 | Bolted |
| 500 × 400 | 200 / 250 | SPL/HB |
| 500 × 500 | 200 / 250 / 300 | SPL/HB |
| 500 × 600 | 200 / 300 / 350 | SPL/HB |
| 550 × 550 | 200 / 250 / 300 | SPL/HB |
| 600 × 380 | 200 | SPL/HB |
| 600 × 400 | 210 / 250 | SPL/HB |
| 600 × 550 | 250 / 300 | SPL |
| 600 × 600 | 210 / 250 | SPL/HB |
| 600 × 600 | 250 / 300 | SPL |
| 650 × 650 | 250 / 300 | SPL |
| H × W | Depth options | Locking |
|---|---|---|
| 700 × 600 | 250 / 300 / 350 | SPL |
| 760 × 500 | 200 / 250 | SPL |
| 760 × 760 | 300 / 350 | SPL |
| 800 × 600 | 250 / 300 | SPL/TPL |
| 800 × 650 | 250 / 300 | TPL |
| 800 × 700 | 250 / 300 / 350 | TPL |
| 800 × 800 | 300 / 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 850 × 650 | 200 / 250 / 300 | TPL |
| 900 × 600 | 200 / 250 | TPL |
| 900 × 600 | 300 / 350 | TPL |
| 900 × 700 | 300 / 350 | TPL |
| 900 × 800 | 250 / 300 | TPL |
| 900 × 800 | 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 600 | 250 / 300 / 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 650 | 250 / 300 / 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 700 | 250 / 300 / 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 800 | 250 / 300 / 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 1000 | 300 | TPL |
| 1000 × 1000 | 400 | TPL |
| 1000 × 1000 | 450 | TPL |
| 1000 × 1000 | 500 | TPL |
| 1200 × 1000 | 400 | TPL |
| 1200 × 1000 | 500 | TPL |
| 1200 × 1200 | 350 / 400 | TPL |
| 1400 × 800 | 400 | TPL |
| 1400 × 1000 | 400 / 500 | TPL |
| 1400 × 1200 | 400 | TPL |
| 1500 × 800 | 400 | TPL |
| 1500 × 1000 | 400 / 500 | TPL |
| 2000 × 800 | 600 | TPL |
Ex e protection
Exe enclosures and Ex e panels explained
Ex e, often written Exe, is the increased-safety protection concept defined in IEC 60079-7. An Ex e enclosure is not designed to contain an explosion. It is built so that arcs, sparks and excessive surface temperatures do not occur in normal operation or under specified abnormal conditions, and its IP66 sealing protects the terminals and wiring inside from dust and water.
That makes the Exe enclosure a common choice for junction boxes, terminal boxes and connection panels in Zone 1 and Zone 2. The "eb" level marked on this range corresponds to equipment protection level Gb. For combustible dust, the same enclosures are certified Ex tb (protection by enclosure, IEC 60079-31) for Zone 21 and 22.
Devices that spark in normal operation, such as switches and contact blocks, are typically housed as separately certified flameproof (Ex d) components inside Ex e panels. That is why the marking on the assembled equipment combines several concepts: Ex db eb ia/ib mb.
How to read the marking
II 2 G Ex eb IIC Gb II 2 D Ex tb IIIC Db
- II
- ATEX equipment group II: surface industries, not mining
- 2
- ATEX category 2: Zone 1 or 21, and Zone 2 or 22
- G / D
- Explosive gas atmosphere / combustible dust
- eb
- Increased safety, protection level "b"
- tb
- Dust protection by enclosure, protection level "b"
- IIC
- Gas group IIC, which also covers IIA and IIB. Hydrogen and acetylene are IIC gases.
- IIIC
- Dust group IIIC (conductive dust), which also covers IIIA and IIIB
- Gb / Db
- Equipment protection level for Zone 1 / Zone 21, also suitable for Zone 2 / 22
- T6…T4
- Temperature class of the assembled equipment: 85 °C (T6), 100 °C (T5) or 135 °C (T4) maximum surface temperature
Exe panels and Ex equipment configurations
Alongside empty Ex e boxes, the range includes assembled Exe panels and stations for specific functions:
Exe terminal boxesTerminal blocks in an Ex e enclosure for cable junctions and marshalling
Ex i terminal boxesTerminations for intrinsically safe (Ex i) circuits
Ex operator boxes and operator stationsLocal operation with control devices such as push buttons and indicators
Exe control boxes and control stationsLocal control points for plant equipment in the hazardous area- Ex power control stations and boxesPower control functions in classified areas
Ex RIO panelsRemote I/O panels for field signals
Ex valve bank panelsEnclosed valve banks
Universal terminal boxesTerminal box format listed in the range- Ex empty boxesEmpty Ex e enclosures for your own certified assembly
Ex HMI control stations, which combine an operator panel with control devices, are also part of the range. For the HMIs themselves, see our Zone 1 HMI, IPC and monitors.
Certification is configuration-specific. Confirm the certificate, marking and temperature class for the exact assembly, including components, entries and dimensions, before ordering. For flameproof alternatives, see our Ex d junction boxes. For ready Ex e terminal boxes, see our Zone 1 / Zone 2 junction boxes.
Stainless steel construction
SS enclosures and SS panels: grades and formats
Stainless steel is specified for enclosures and control panels exposed to moisture, washdown, chemicals or salt-laden air. The certified Ex range and the general-purpose range are both built in SS304 or SS316L, in 1.2, 1.5 or 2.0 mm sheet.
SS304
Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel (nominally 18% chromium, 8% nickel), suited to many indoor and general industrial locations.
SS316L
Adds molybdenum for better resistance to chlorides and pitting, and has a low carbon content ("L") that limits sensitisation at welds. A common choice for offshore, marine, coastal and chemical environments.
Base the final grade on the chemicals, cleaning agents and site conditions involved.
SS panel and enclosure formats
Beyond standard wall-mounting boxes, custom-built SS panels are offered in these formats:
- Wall-mounting panels
MCC panels
Control desks
Outdoor panels
Pedestal panels and HMI panels are also available, and the modular panel is described below. Custom-built formats are not hazardous-area certified unless a certified configuration is confirmed for your order.
Modular SS panel (flat-pack)
A modular floor-standing panel in SS304, SS316L or CRCA (cold-rolled mild steel) that ships flat-packed and is assembled on site. The flat-pack format reduces packed volume for freight and storage and makes the panel easier to move to its installation point.
- IP65 ingress protection
- PU or silicone gasket
- Mounting plate adjustable along the depth
- Removable bottom cable gland plate
- Modular design for expansion and component integration
The modular panel is rated IP65 and its datasheet lists no hazardous-area certification, so use it in safe areas only.
Certification
ATEX enclosures and ATEX panels: what is certified
An ATEX enclosure or ATEX panel is certified only for what its certificate covers. Two certificate types apply to this range, and the difference matters when you build or buy a complete assembly.
Ex component · "U"
ATEX enclosure: the empty Ex e enclosure
The empty enclosure is certified as an Ex component. A component certificate does not cover a finished product. Once terminals, devices or cable entries are fitted, the complete assembly has to be assessed and certified as equipment before it is used in a hazardous area.
- ATEX
- CML 17ATEX3291U
- IECEx
- IECEx CML 17.0160U
- UKEX
- CML 23UKEX3674U
- Marking
- II 2 G Ex eb IIC Gb
II 2 D Ex tb IIIC Db
Ex equipment · "X"
ATEX panels: assembled Ex equipment
Assembled operator boxes, control stations, HMI stations and power control boxes are covered by equipment certificates. The "X" suffix means specific conditions of use apply. They are listed on the certificate and must be followed during installation, use and maintenance.
- ATEX
- CML 23ATEX3676X
- IECEx
- IECEx CML 23.0204X
- UKEX
- CML 23UKEX3678X
- Marking
- II 2 G Ex db eb ia/ib mb IIC T6…T4 Gb
II 2 D Ex tb IIIC T85°C…T135°C Db
Before you order: the certificates are issued to the equipment manufacturer and cover the configurations defined in them. Check that the certificate, marking and temperature class match your exact configuration, and ask us for copies of the applicable certificates. PESO approval is listed for both ranges; ask for the approval reference that applies to your order. IECEx certificates can be checked on the IECEx website.
Applications
Industrial applications
Typical uses follow from the ratings: Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 certification, IIC gas and IIIC dust groups, IP66 sealing and a stainless steel body.
Hazardous (classified) areas
Oil and gas
Junction, terminal and local control enclosures in Zone 1 and Zone 2 production and processing areas.
Petrochemical and refineries
Classified process units, tank farms and loading areas. The IIC rating also covers IIA and IIB gases.
Chemical plants
SS316L construction for corrosive atmospheres in classified process areas.
Pharmaceutical
Classified solvent-handling (gas) and powder-handling (dust) areas: Ex eb for gas, Ex tb IIIC for dust.
Power plants
Classified areas within power plants, such as fuel and gas handling.
Hydrogen applications
Gas group IIC includes hydrogen, so the certified ranges can be considered for hydrogen areas, subject to the full certificate conditions.
LNG
IIC also covers group IIA gases such as natural gas. Check site temperatures against the −20 °C minimum ambient and service limits.
Offshore and marine
SS316L and IP66 for salt-laden air and washdown. Confirm the certification scheme required for the installation or vessel.
Safe (non-classified) areas
Food and dairy
General-purpose SS enclosures for hygienic and washdown areas. Confirm the IP rating for the size you choose.
Automation and water treatment
SS control panels, modular panels and HMI panels for non-classified plant areas.
Options
Configurations and customisation options
Options documented for the range. Availability and scope are confirmed for each enquiry.
Enclosure construction
- SS304 or SS316L
- 1.2, 1.5 or 2.0 mm sheet
- Single door (Ex range); single or double door (general-purpose range)
- Bolted, hinge-and-bolted, single-point or three-point locking
- Optional industrial painted finish
Entries and internals
- Un-drilled, or drilled to your entry layout
- Metric or NPT cable entries
- Cable glands on request
- Gland plates and mounting plates
- Custom cut-outs
Assembled solutions
- Terminal blocks and complete wiring
- Operator stations and control stations
- HMI stations
- Component integration to project requirements
- Testing, inspection and documentation
Changes to Ex configurations, such as added entries, components or different dimensions, must stay within the scope of the applicable certificate. Share your layout at the enquiry stage so it can be checked.
Why Panel Technologies
Why enquire with Panel Technologies
Panel Technologies India Private Limited supplies hazardous-area equipment from Thane, Maharashtra. For Ex e and SS enclosures, our team can help you with:
Matching the configuration
Share the zone, gas or dust group, temperature class and ambient range, and we will help shortlist a suitable certified configuration.
The right documents
Ask for the datasheet, marking details and certificate references that apply to your configuration before you order.
Related Ex equipment
Panel Technologies also supplies Zone 1 and Zone 2 HMIs, IPCs and monitors, Ex d and Ex e junction boxes, and terminals and power supplies.
Direct contact
Call +91 99878 81335 or email marketing@paneltechnologies.in to discuss your project.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is an Exe (Ex e) enclosure, and how is it different from Ex d?
An Ex e (increased safety) enclosure prevents ignition sources from arising. It is built so that arcs, sparks and hot surfaces do not occur in normal operation or under specified abnormal conditions, and it keeps out dust and water (IP66 for this range). An Ex d (flameproof) enclosure works the other way round: it is designed to contain an internal explosion and stop it from igniting the surrounding atmosphere. Ex e is widely used for junction and terminal boxes, while sparking devices inside Ex e panels are normally Ex d components. See our Ex d junction boxes for flameproof options.
Is every SS enclosure or SS panel suitable for hazardous areas?
No. Stainless steel describes the material, not the explosion protection. Only configurations certified for the area, for example under ATEX, IECEx or UKEX for Zone 1, 2, 21 or 22, may be installed in a hazardous area. The general-purpose CE SS enclosures, the custom-built SS panels and the modular SS panel on this page are for safe areas unless a certified configuration is confirmed.
What do the "U" and "X" at the end of the certificate numbers mean?
"U" marks an Ex component certificate. It applies here to the empty Ex e enclosure, which must be built into equipment that is itself certified. "X" means the equipment certificate includes specific conditions of use, which must be read and followed during installation, use and maintenance.
Which zones, gas groups and temperature classes are covered?
Both certified ranges are marked for Zone 1 and 2 (gas, EPL Gb) and Zone 21 and 22 (dust, EPL Db), with gas group IIC and dust group IIIC. The assembled Ex equipment is marked T6, T5 or T4 (dust: T85 °C to T135 °C) for ambient temperatures from −20 °C to +60 °C; the class depends on the configuration. Neither range is marked for Zone 0 or Zone 20.
Should I choose SS304 or SS316L?
SS304 suits many indoor and general industrial locations. SS316L contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides and pitting, so it is the usual choice for offshore, marine, coastal and many chemical environments. If you are unsure, tell us the site conditions and the chemicals present.
What should I include in an ATEX panel or Ex e enclosure enquiry?
Include the area classification (zone), gas or dust group, required temperature class, ambient temperature range, enclosure size or the components to be fitted, material grade and thickness, cable entries (number, size, Metric or NPT, glands), locking and mounting, the certification you need (ATEX, IECEx, UKEX or PESO) and the quantity.
Request a quote for Ex e enclosures, SS panels and ATEX panels
Send us your requirement to discuss suitable configurations, certification and documentation for your project.
Phone: +91 99878 81335 · Email: marketing@paneltechnologies.in
- Zone, gas or dust group and temperature class
- Ambient temperature range
- Size, or the components to be fitted
- SS304 or SS316L, sheet thickness
- Cable entries and glands
- Certification required and quantity