Are there CE markings in temperature sensors?

The CE marking symbolizes conformity of the product with one or more applicable European product directives. The product shall be provided with an EU Declaration of Conformity document, which defines the directive(s) and the applicable standards the product conforms to. The product shall not bear a CE mark, if no European directive applies to it. Regarding the EPIC® SENSORS temperature measuring sensors this means briefly: the safe area sensors do bear CE markings since 22.7.2017, while the ATEX approved sensors for explosive atmospheres already have a CE mark. Reasons for this are explained below for each potentially applicable directive individually.

The ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU)

• defines the products to be used in explosive atmospheres
• all products used in these zones in Europe must conform to this directive
• the Ex d, Ex e and Ex t type EPIC® SENSORS temperature sensors are ATEX certified and thus conform to the directive
• the ATEX approved sensors do bear the CE marking and they are given an EU Declaration of Conformity by the manufacturer.

The EMC Directive (2004/108/EC)

• defines the electromagnetic compatibility of the apparatus, that can themselves perform a direct function
• this is how this directive defines products between apparatus and components
• temperature sensors are not considered as apparatus within the EMC Directive meaning, so this directive does not apply to the sensors
• the sensors for safe area are not CE marked for this directive, but are CE marked for RoHS since 22.7.2017.

The Machine Directive (2006/42/EC)

• applies to the machines having at least one moving part or component
• temperature sensors do not have any moving parts, thus the directive does not apply to sensors
• the sensors for safe area are not CE marked for this directive, but are CE marked for RoHS since 22.7.2017.

The Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC)

• applies to the electrical equipment designed to operate in the voltage ranges of 50…1000 VAC or 75…1500 VDC
• measuring circuits of temperature sensors do not operate in these voltage ranges, hence the directive does not apply to sensors
• the sensors for safe area are not CE marked for this directive, but are CE marked for RoHS since 22.7.2017.

The Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC)

• applies to the pressure equipment, which have an identifiable pressure housing
• the thermowells of temperature sensors do not have an identifiable pressure housing
• EU Commission’s Working Group “Pressure” has confirmed that thermowells of temperature sensors are a component of an item of pressure equipment, but not a pressure accessory which should be CE marked under PED
• if a customer integrates the thermowell into a pressure equipment that will be CE marked according to PED, he will then be responsible for defining – according to the pressure classification – which material certificates, testing reports or other technical documents he needs to be supplied with, but even then the thermowell will not be CE marked and will not have an EU-DoC.
• the directive does not forbid giving own declarations of conformity to different standards
• the sensors for safe area are not CE marked for this directive, but are CE marked for RoHS since 22.7.2017.

The Measuring Instruments Directive (2014/32/EU)

• applies only to measuring instrument types, mainly related to invoicing systems, listed in Directive’s Article 2: water meters (MI-001), gas meters and volume conversion devices (MI-002), active electrical energy meters (MI-003), thermal energy meters (MI-004), measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of quantities of liquids other than water (MI-005), automatic weighing instruments (MI-006), taximeters (MI-007), material measures (MI-008), dimensional measuring instruments (MI-009) and exhaust gas analysers (MI-010) [text reference to Measuring Instrument Directive, Article 2; Scope]
• the directive does not apply to temperature sensors
• the sensors for safe area are not CE marked for this directive, but are CE marked for RoHS since 22.7.2017.

EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS1+RoHS2) and Amendment 2015/863/EU (RoHS3)

• defines the restrictions of the use of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment
• beginning 22.7.2017 temperature sensors are considered to be industrial monitoring and control instruments which are covered by the directive
• the sensors for safe area are CE marked since 22.7.2017 and they are given an EU Declaration of Conformity by the manufacturer.