2004-01-09 - ABB, together with its channel partners, is to become the first electric motor company in the UK to repair and rewind hazardous area motors to the ATEX Directive.
Under ATEX 137, end users are personally responsible for the safety of motors in hazardous areas. But if the motor is approved to ATEX 95, the manufacturer is responsible for the safety of the motor, provided it is used correctly.
ABB will now become the first electric motor company in the UK market to take the same responsibility for repaired and rewound motors as it does for new motors, ensuring that the motor remains approved to ATEX 95 even after a repair. The condition is that the motor is of an ATEX approved model, manufactured by ABB and repaired by its ABB Motor Service Partner network. ABB will audit its partners’ workshops and train the personnel to ensure that the repair meets the same safety standards as the original work.
ATEX approved repairs will initially be carried out at six workshops around the country, although customers will be able to access these services through any of the fifteen members of the ABB Motor Service Partner network. The service will be rolled out during the spring of 2004.
When repairing ATEX approved motors, users have two options. Motors can either be repaired under the manufacturer’s supervision, keeping them approved to ATEX 95. Alternatively, the user can have them repaired by an independent repairer, but this will bring the motor in under ATEX 137 and the end user will become accountable for the repair job.
“Repairing hazardous area motors requires precise attention to detail – not only to the physical repair itself, but also to the associated documentation,” says Steve Ruddell, general manager, LV Motors, at ABB.
“By taking responsibility for the repair of ABB motors, we remove this responsibility from the end user.”
If a motor is approved to ATEX 95, any investigation following an accident will go back to the manufacturer.
Existing motors in hazardous areas are subject to ATEX 137 and are the end user’s responsibility. To mitigate the risk these motors pose, the user can take one of three approaches:
1. He can replace the motor with one that is approved to ATEX 95. In the event of an accident, the investigation will then go back to the manufacturer.
2. The user can create a log book, providing an audit trail. In the event of an accident, he will then be able to prove that he has done what he could to prevent the accident.
3. The most risky approach is to do neither of the above but just accept that the motor should be safe. In the event of the accident, the user will be personally responsible for any damage and injuries.