Product Specification nRF9160 v2.0 Page 392 - ATEX compliance

[udo]

Does the nRF9160 have an ATEX component certificate?
Why there is no marking such as "Ex ia IIC Ga" provided?
What exactly do you understand by the term "ATEX compliance"?
Can you please provide the gas group for which the given paramters Ui=5.0V, Ii=600mA with Ci =73microF and Li=7microH are valid.

[Heidi]

Hi!

We have not certified any of our devices for ATEX, but it should be possible for you to do it yourself. 

Why there is no marking such as "Ex ia IIC Ga" provided?

 I assume it's because the nRF9160 has not been ATEX certified. Could you please elaborate on this point?

What exactly do you understand by the term "ATEX compliance"?

 Again, please elaborate.

 

Can you please provide the gas group for which the given paramters Ui=5.0V, Ii=600mA with Ci =73microF and Li=7microH are valid.

 I will forward this question and get back to you with an answer shortly. 

Best regards,

Heidi

[udo]

Hello Heidi,

at present it is sufficient for me to undertsand that ATEX compliance and ATEX certification is not the same. We will use the nRF9160 in one of our projects which need to get ATEX certification. At present I see a big obstacle with the parameter Ci=73microF. With such an internal capacitance it is very difficult to manage the ATEX certification for gas group IIC. I also have doubts, that the nRF9160 chip has a 73microF capacitance really included. Could you please check if the parameter Ci=73microF is correct.

Best regards

Udo

[Heidi]

Hi, yes the value is correct.

ATEX compliance for gas group IIC is not possible for the nRF9160 SIP. because Ci + Li is too high.

For IIC, a maximum combination of 16 µF / 10 µH or 24 µF / 5 µH is permitted for Ui = 5 V and Ii = 600 mA.

For IIB, the permitted maximum values are Ci = 170µF and Li = 10µH

Best regards,

Heidi

[udo]

Hello Heidi,

we still see a small chance to get gas group IIC certified, but only if we can use encapsulation for the nRF9160. We would put the nRF9160 under casting compound. Pins/signals protruding from the compound would be made intrinsic safe by an external wiring/safety components.

The questions:

Is it permitted to put the nRF9160 under casting compound?
Do you have any experience if the nRF9160 is still working properly under casting compound?

Best regards
Udo

[Heidi]

Hi,

We have not done any product qualification trials with casting compound. So, this is what you will have to do.

We are not aware of any limitations as to why a casting component can not be used.