了解编码器的安全认证：IECEx，ATEX，UL，CSA，CE（中英文）

了解旋转增量式编码器的安全认证，这是一个复杂的问题。本文将尽力解释这些认证以及它们如何应用于编码器。但是请记住安全认证是一个不断变化的领域，可能随时会有变更。

从总体上看，针对石油和天然气钻探等危险作业编码器应用以及工业设施中的危险区域，目前有四类主要的认证：ATEX、CSA、IECEx和UL。

Understanding safety certifications for rotary incremental encoders is a complex issue. This article will attempt to explain these certifications and how they are applied to encoders. However, please remember that safety certification is a constantly evolving field and may change at any time.

From the top level view, there are four prevalent groups of certification for hazardous duty encoder applications such as oil and gas drilling, as well has hazardous areas in industrial facilities:  ATEX, CSA, IECEx, and UL.

ATEX：

ATEX:

在亚洲和欧洲，编码器的 ATEX 认证通常由保险公司和/或设备运营商要求。制造商获得 ATEX 认证（或进行自我认证）后，需要提供一系列文件来描述该认证：符合性声明（例如 Avtron 编码器）、EC 型式检验证书（适用于 1 区）或 EC 型式测试证书（适用于 2 区）以及 PQAN 生产质量保证通知书。

For Asia and Europe, ATEX certification of encoders is typically required by the insuring body and/or the equipment operator.  Once the manufacturer obtains ATEX approval (or self-certifies) there are a set of documents to describe the certification:  The Declaration of Conformity (Avtron encoder example), the EC-type Examination Certificate (for Zone 1), or the EC-type Test Certificate (for Zone 2), and the PQAN Production Quality Assurance Notification.

UL/NEC：

UL/NEC:

在北美，保险公司通常要求编码器符合美国国家电气规范 (NEC)，即UL认证。这可以是 NEC500或NEC505编码器认证。因此，北美地区进一步细分为两类：

NEC500编码器认证通常被称为UL等级和分区，简称等级和分区。（在北美，UL 承担两项职责：一部分负责制定/提出安全规则/认证，另一部分是“国家认可的测试实验室”，负责按照标准进行测试。还有其他国家认可的测试实验室可以按照 UL 标准进行测试。）

NEC505编码器认证通常被称为等级和区域认证。

另一个容易混淆的地方是危险区域认证与外壳类型或电气安全测试或认证之间的区别。许多美国以外的编码器制造商认为UL认证是美国安装的必要条件。因此，他们可能有一些型号带有UL认证或UL认可组件（RU）标记。但这些编码器并不一定经过危险环境应用认证。例如，UL61010-1《实验室用电气设备》就属于这种情况。

For North America, insuring bodies typically require National Electric Code aka UL compliance/certification for encoders.  This can be either NEC500 or NEC505 encoder certification.  So this subdivides North America further, into 2 groups: 

NEC500 encoder certification is commonly referred to as UL Class and Division, or Class and Div for short.   (In North America, UL has 2 roles:  one portion writes/proposes safety rules/certifications, the other portion is a "Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory" that tests to the standards.  There are other Nationally Recognized Test Laboratories that can test to the UL standards).

NEC505 encoder certification is commonly referred to as Class and Zone. 

Another area of confusion is hazardous area certification vs. testing or listing for enclosure types or electrical safety. Many encoder manufacturers outside the US thought that UL certification as a requirement for US installations. So they may have models that have UL listing, or UL recognized component (RU) markings. These encoders are not necessarily certified for operation in hazardous applications. Examples would include UL61010-1, Electrical Equipment for Laboratory Use.

CSA:

CSA：

在加拿大，CSA 的作用与 UL 类似。它由两部分组成：一部分负责制定/提出危险区域的安全标准，另一部分是经认可的测试实验室，负责根据这些标准对产品进行测试。有趣的是，UL本身也是一家经认可的测试实验室；UL创建了cUL标识，用于表明产品符合CSA标准。

In Canada, CSA has a similar role to UL.  It has 2 portions, one which writes/proposes safety standards for hazardous areas, and the second which is the accredited test laboratory portion which tests products to the standards. Interestingly, UL is also a accredited test laboratory; UL created the cUL designation to indicate compliance with the CSA.

IECEx:

IECEx：

IECEx是一种独立的编码器认证，通常也在欧洲使用。然而，美国海岸警卫队提出的UL规则变更提案使得IECEx突然变得对全球编码器至关重要。简而言之，这促使许多海上钻井平台运营商 (MODU) 要求其钻井平台使用的编码器必须获得IECEx认证。对于这些运营商及其原始设备制造商 (OEM) 而言，IECEx 被誉为新的国际标准，可用于除北美陆上钻井平台以外的所有钻井应用中的编码器。

IECEx is a separate encoder certification, typically also used in Europe.  However, a proposed UL Coast Guard rule change made IECEx suddenly very relevant for encoders worldwide.  In short, this is pushing many operators for offshore rigs (MODU) to require IECEx certification for encoders used in their drilling rigs.  For these operators, and their OEMs, IECEx is being touted as the new international standard that can be used for encoders in all drilling applications other than North American land rigs.

CE:

CE：

CE是另一套编码器认证，通常适用于欧洲和亚洲。CE与危险区域应用无关，但IECEx和ATEX标准通常要求设备在接受IECEx或ATEX测试之前，至少需要获得CE认证。

CE is yet another set of encoder certifications, typically applicable to Europe and Asia. CE is not relevant to hazardous area applications, except that IECEx and ATEX standards often require CE certification as a minimum before a unit can be tested to IECEx or ATEX.

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