Balances ATEX

An ATEX scale is a weighing system that has been specifically designed and certified for use in areas where there is a risk of explosion, such as environments with flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dust. If your site handles or stores these materials, standard weighing equipment simply isn’t safe to use, as it could act as a source of ignition. ATEX scales are built to prevent that risk, keeping your team and site protected while still giving you accurate, reliable readings.

A hazardous area is any location where there’s a potential risk of an explosion occurring, usually because flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dusts could be present in the atmosphere at some point. This might be constant, occasional, or only under abnormal conditions, but the risk still needs to be planned for. Every hazardous area is different, and the equipment used within it has to match the specific atmosphere and explosive elements present on site.

These zones classify how likely it is that an explosive atmosphere will be present. Zone 1 and Zone 2 cover areas where flammable gases or liquids are the main risk, with Zone 1 indicating a higher likelihood of an explosive atmosphere than Zone 2. Zone 21 and Zone 22 apply to areas where combustible dust is the concern, again ranging from more likely to less likely. Getting the zone classification right is the first step in choosing the correct scale for your site.

There is an important distinction here! Gas rated scales are designed for environments where flammable gases or liquids present the main hazard, while dust rated scales are built for areas where combustible dust is the risk. Many ATEX scales are rated for both gas and dust, giving you flexibility if your site has mixed hazards, though some models are only certified for one or the other. It’s worth checking this carefully against your specific application before making a decision.

Absolutely! We manufacture our ATEX scales right here in the UK, giving you the same consistent quality and reliable long-term support you’d expect from any MWS product. We also supply our ATEX scales to OEM system builders, so you’ll find our equipment at the heart of a wide range of certified hazardous area solutions.

Absolutely, we don’t just offer the scale itself. We also supply load cell amplifiers to condition and transmit signals safely, and zener barriers, both sourced from trusted European manufacturers, to protect intrinsically safe circuits from hazardous energy levels. Having access to the full system, not just the platform, means everything is matched correctly for your zone and atmosphere from the get go.

Yes, indeed! We supply a dedicated range of ATEX floor scales designed for use in classified hazardous areas. These are built around ATEX rated load cells and intrinsically safe components, giving you a robust, compliant weighing platform for gas or dust rated environments, depending on what your site requires.

You’ll commonly find ATEX scales in the oil and gas sector, chemical and petrochemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and food production sites where fine dusts such as flour or sugar are present. Any industry where flammable liquids, gases, or combustible dusts are handled, stored, or processed as part of normal operations should be considering ATEX rated weighing equipment as standard practice.

This is where experience really matters. Unfortunately, there are plenty of suppliers offering ATEX scales with little real knowledge of hazardous area applications, and getting it wrong can have serious safety and compliance consequences. As the UK manufacturer of our own ATEX scale range, we take the time to understand your site, the specific zone classification, and whether gas, dust, or both are a factor, before recommending equipment that genuinely fits your operational and regulatory needs.

Definitely! ATEX scales and components can be tailored to your platform size, capacity, zone rating, and indicator requirements, so the system you end up with is built around your actual application rather than a generic standard. If you operate in a hazardous area and want to talk through your requirements, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you find the right ATEX solution for your site.

ATEX scales need regular servicing and calibration, just like any other weighing equipment, but it has to be carried out with hazardous area requirements in mind throughout. This means using engineers who understand the zone classification and certification of the equipment, so the integrity of the ATEX rating isn’t compromised during inspection or adjustment. MWS offers servicing and calibration support for ATEX scales, helping you stay compliant and keep your equipment performing accurately over time. Learn more about our calibration services.