Explosion-Proof Pressure Transmitter for Oil & Gas Zone 0/1/2
1. Why You Need It
Oil and gas facilities span the most hazardous classifications — Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 — where a single ignition source can be catastrophic. This transmitter is certified to both Exia (intrinsically safe) and Exd (flameproof) standards, with ATEX and IECEx approval and an optional SIL 2 rating. With a range from 0.6 bar to 1000 bar and 4-20 mA HART output, it provides safe, reliable pressure measurement for the full spectrum of upstream, midstream and downstream operations.
2. Working Principle
The sensor measures process pressure and outputs a 4-20 mA signal with optional HART. Two protection methods are available: Exia limits the electrical energy so it cannot ignite a flammable atmosphere (suitable for Zone 0), while Exd contains any internal explosion in a flameproof enclosure (Zone 1). The transmitter is housed in 316L stainless steel or aluminium alloy with IP67 protection, and the measurement range spans 0.6 bar to 1000 bar.
3. Key Advantages
- Exia and Exd protection
- ATEX / IECEx certified
- Zone 0 / 1 / 2 rated
- 0.6 bar to 1000 bar range
- 4-20 mA + HART optional
- SIL 2 functional safety option
- IP67 protection
- 316L / aluminium alloy housing
- 0.25% / 0.1% FS accuracy
- -40 to 85 °C operating range
Common Pain Points & Solutions
| Problem | Conventional Issue | Our Solution | Result |
|---|
| Zone 0 intrinsic safety | Standard units not safe | Exia intrinsically safe | Safe in Zone 0 |
| Zone 1 flameproof need | Exia insufficient for high power | Exd flameproof option | Safe in Zone 1 |
| Functional safety (SIS) | No SIL rating | SIL 2 option | Meets safety-loop requirement |
| Extreme pressure span | Limited-range units | 0.6 to 1000 bar | Full oil & gas coverage |
Application Cases
Industry: Upstream
Application: Wellhead pressure monitoring
Medium: Crude oil / gas
Pressure Range: 0-400 bar
Operating Temperature: -40 to 85 °C
Installation Environment: Zone 0 wellhead
Customer Challenge: Safe measurement at source
Previous Problem: Unsafe instrumentation
Solution: Exia transmitter, HART
Installation Location: Wellhead
Result: Safe wellhead monitoring
Industry: Midstream
Application: Pipeline pressure monitoring
Medium: Natural gas
Pressure Range: 0-100 bar
Operating Temperature: -30 to 70 °C
Installation Environment: Zone 1 pipeline
Customer Challenge: Continuous pipeline pressure
Previous Problem: Uncertified sensor
Solution: Exd flameproof transmitter
Installation Location: Pipeline station
Result: Certified pipeline measurement
Industry: Downstream
Application: Refinery process pressure
Medium: Hydrocarbon
Pressure Range: 0-60 bar
Operating Temperature: -20 to 100 °C
Installation Environment: Zone 1 refinery
Customer Challenge: Process control in hazardous area
Previous Problem: Standard transmitter rejected
Solution: ATEX/IECEx transmitter
Installation Location: Process unit
Result: Compliant, reliable control
Industry: Storage
Application: LPG / gas storage pressure
Medium: LPG / propane
Pressure Range: 0-25 bar
Operating Temperature: -20 to 50 °C
Installation Environment: Tank farm (Zone 1)
Customer Challenge: Safety-loop protection
Previous Problem: No SIL-rated option
Solution: SIL 2 transmitter for SIS
Installation Location: Storage tank
Result: Functional-safety compliance
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Explosion Protection | Exia II CT6 / Exd II CT6 |
| Certification | ATEX / IECEx / SIL 2 (optional) |
| Area Rating | Zone 0 / 1 / 2 |
| Measurement Range | 0~0.6 bar to 0~1000 bar |
| Output | 4-20 mA (2-wire) + HART optional |
| Accuracy | 0.25% FS / 0.1% FS optional |
| Housing | 316L / aluminium alloy |
| Protection | IP67 |
FAQ
Q: What does Exia and Exd mean?
Exia is the intrinsically safe protection method, which limits electrical energy so that even a fault cannot produce a spark hot enough to ignite a flammable atmosphere — suitable for Zone 0. Exd is flameproof, meaning the enclosure contains any internal explosion and prevents flame propagation — suitable for Zone 1. Offering both lets the transmitter match the specific zone classification.
Q: What certifications does it hold?
It is certified to ATEX (EU) and IECEx (international) standards, with an optional SIL 2 functional safety rating. These certifications confirm the transmitter's suitability for hazardous areas and safety instrumented systems, and are essential for installation in oil and gas facilities.
Q: What zones can it operate in?
The transmitter is rated for Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. Zone 0 is where flammable gas is present continuously or for long periods, Zone 1 intermittently, and Zone 2 only abnormally. The Exia version suits Zone 0, while Exd suits Zone 1, giving coverage across the hazardous-area spectrum.
Q: What is the measurement range?
The range spans 0~0.6 bar to 0~1000 bar, covering the full spectrum of oil and gas pressure measurement — from low gas pressures to extreme wellhead and high-pressure process duties. The span is configured for the specific application.
Q: What output does it provide?
It provides a 4-20 mA two-wire output, with HART communication as an option. The 4-20 mA loop carries the measurement, while HART adds remote configuration, diagnostics and asset management, which is valuable in hazardous areas where physical access is restricted.
Q: What is the accuracy?
The accuracy is 0.25% FS standard, with a 0.1% FS high-precision option. This provides reliable measurement for process control and monitoring. The high-precision option is used where tighter measurement is required for custody or efficiency applications.
Q: What is the operating temperature range?
The operating temperature is -40 °C to +85 °C ambient and -40 °C to +120 °C for the media. This wide range supports operation in cold climates and hot process conditions, typical of oil and gas installations worldwide.
Q: What housing materials are available?
The housing is available in 316L stainless steel or aluminium alloy. 316L offers superior corrosion resistance for marine and aggressive environments, while aluminium alloy provides a lighter, cost-effective option. The choice depends on the installation environment.
Q: Does it support safety systems?
Yes, a SIL 2 functional safety option is available. SIL (Safety Integrity Level) indicates the reliability of the device in a safety instrumented function, such as overpressure protection or emergency shutdown. The SIL-rated version can be used in safety loops where certified reliability is required.
Q: Where is it used?
It is used across oil and gas upstream (wellheads), midstream (pipelines) and downstream (refineries, storage) operations. It provides certified, safe pressure measurement in Zone 0/1/2 hazardous areas, with the option of SIL 2 for safety-critical applications.
