Selection Guide
Explosion-Proof Camera Selection Guide
How to match Ex marking, zone, gas group and temperature class to your area classification before selecting a camera model.
Selecting an explosion-proof camera is a five-step matching exercise: read the site's area classification, then match the Ex marking, gas group, dust group, temperature class, housing material and ingress rating to that classification.
Getting the marking wrong is not a cosmetic issue. An under-rated camera in a Zone 1 gas atmosphere is a safety risk; an over-specified camera wastes budget.
Selection steps, in order
- Confirm the area classification — Zone 0/1/2 for gas, Zone 20/21/22 for dust — from the site's hazardous-area schedule.
- Read the required Ex marking (gas group IIA/IIB/IIC and temperature class T1–T6) and match it to the camera's marking.
- Match the housing material to the environment: 316L stainless steel for chloride and marine exposure, 304 for sheltered inland sites, aluminium for light-duty non-corrosive locations.
- Set the ingress rating: IP66 for weather-exposed above-water mounting, IP68 for washdown or submerged service.
- Confirm the optics for the job: IR distance, optical zoom and resolution against the viewing distance and detail required.
Selection matrix
| Site condition | Zone / group | Housing | Ingress | Camera family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous gas (petrochemical, refinery) | Zone 1/2, IIC, T6 | 316L stainless steel | IP66 / IP68 | Explosion-proof CCTV (ATEX / IECEx / DNV) |
| Hazardous dust (grain, chemical) | Zone 21/22, IIIC | 316L stainless steel | IP66 | Explosion-proof CCTV (ATEX / IECEx) |
| Marine deck / offshore platform | DNV / CCS | 316L stainless steel | IP66 / IP68 | Marine anti-corrosion camera |
| Underwater / hull inspection | — | 316L stainless steel | IP68 | Underwater camera system |
| Long-range perimeter | Zone 1 (ATEX) | Aluminium / stainless steel | IP66 | Long-range surveillance camera |
| Indoor / sheltered | — (CE) | Aluminium / composite | IP66 | General-purpose CCTV |
This matrix is a category-level guide. The certification, material and ingress rating of any individual model are stated on its own specification page, and those values — not this table — are what you should quote in a procurement review.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2?
- Zone 1 is an area where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur during normal operation. Zone 2 is where it occurs only abnormally and for short periods. Zone 1 therefore demands a higher Equipment Protection Level (Gb) than Zone 2 (Gc).
- Which temperature class do I need?
- T6 (maximum surface temperature 85 °C) is the safest and covers the widest range of gases, including those with low ignition temperatures. Confirm the gas's ignition temperature from your area classification, then choose a camera whose T-class is equal to or stricter than required.
- Can one camera cover both gas and dust zones?
- Yes. Many models carry a combined marking — for example Ex db IIC T6 Gb / Ex tb IIIC T85 °C Db — covering both gas and dust. Check the exact marking string, not just the word 'explosion-proof' in the product title.
Related blog posts
- Five Installation Mistakes That Cost an Explosion-Proof Camera Its Compliance
The certificate covers the assembled unit — housing, gland and blanking plug together. These five installation choices are the ones that most often turn a certified camera into a non-compliant one.