Peabody, Mass, May 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas-based Professional Testing has gained IECEx Test Laboratory approval for equipment used in explosive atmospheres. TÜV SÜD America’s partner lab Professional Testingis a leading provider of EMC, product safety, reliability, environmental and hazardous location testing at two Texas locations in Round Rock and Austin. This new accreditation enables Professional Testing to locally test electrical products that are destined for potentially explosive (Ex) environments to applicable International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. The IECEx accreditation will expand PTI’s local capabilities and further enhance the relationship with TÜV SÜD America in supporting global services.
Innovations in industrial automation drive new uses for electrical/electronic equipment and that equipment must be safe and suitably marked prior to use in a potentially hazardous location. Hazardous locations (explosive atmospheres) are found in many industries including coal mines, refineries, oil and gas wells, pipelines, chemical plants, paint shops, textile mills, grain elevators, automobile manufacturing and food producers. As manufacturers fight for improved speed and efficiency to gain market share they often find themselves using technology that could create a hazard if not properly tested and certified. As an accredited lab Professional Testingnow offers a local testing solution, combined with the vast resources of partner TÜV SÜD America, to facilitate a faster market entry without sacrificing safety.
IECEx is a system that facilitates international trade in equipment and services for use in explosive atmospheres. It is aworldwide mandatory standard to ensure explosion proof equipment and systems are safe for use in countries that participate in the IECEx system. Similar, but specific to the European Union, the ATEX Directive is a mandatory legal framework that manufacturers of products follow to protect employees and property from explosion risk in potentially explosive areas. Global manufacturers need local service and assistance when faced with these regulatory requirements, but also need a partner that can speak in all languages of explosive atmosphere regulationfrom ATEX to IECEx.
“Hazardous location testing and certification is a key growth areafor TÜV SÜD and our partner Professional Testing,” said Doug Hughes, Director of Sales and Business Development. “Reinforced by nearly five-year partnership Professional Testingand TÜV SÜD are both excited to be on the forefront of hazardous location approvals.”
For more information about TÜV SÜD please visit www.tuv-sud-america.com
Founded in 1866 as a steam boiler inspection association, the TÜV SÜD Group has evolved into a global enterprise. Around 24,000 staff work at over 800 locations in over 50 countries to continually improve technology, systems and expertise. They contribute significantly to making technical innovations such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving and renewable energy safe and reliable. www.tuv-sud.com
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