Honeywell hazardous area switches are found in applications as diverse as:

The MICRO SWITCH BX/BX2 Series are designed for applications in hazardous or explosive environments requiring a rugged, durable switch virtually anywhere in the world. To comply with explosion-proof switching requirements, the flame path within the switch housing is designed to contain and cool escaping hot gases and fumes that could cause an explosion outside of the switch.

Regardless of where the equipment or machinery is designed, built, or installed, BX and BX2 Series products carry global agency coverage. Honeywell offers two versions of the BX series switch: the standard BX Series features an aluminum housing, while the BX2 Series features a 316L stainless steel housing. The stainless steel housing adds additional resistance against corrosion in applications exposed to aggressive, caustic agents, as well as those often present in chemical processing plants, off-shore/near-shore sites, and other hazardous areas. Both products are weather sealed for outdoor use and designed for explosive gas/dust environments. All operating heads of the BX/BX2 Series are field adjustable at 90° increments.

MICRO SWITCH CX switches are built especially for outdoor use in hazardous atmospheres. These enclosures are constructed to withstand the pressure of an internal explosion. Flame paths cool the exploded gases to a point less than the lowest safe operating temperature of the surrounding gas.

MICRO SWITCH 80CX Series switches have rugged bronze housings that are designed to be resistant to salt water and other corrosive environments. They comply with the NEMA 4X requirement for protection against corrosion, in addition to NEMA enclosure standards met by other CX switches.

The product’s o-ring seals make the enclosure rain tight, but are outside of required flame paths so explosion proof requirements are maintained. Unless special ordered, all basic switches operate on clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The actuating mechanism can be field adjusted for CW or CCW operation only. No tools are required.

MICRO SWITCH EX Series switches feature the smallest UL-listed housings available for use in hazardous locations. The EX Series switch cavity is designed to cool expanding gases below the ignition temperature of the surrounding explosive atmosphere. The EX Series is capable of switching up to 20 A while providing ample wiring space for ease of installation. Single and double conduit openings are available. Dual conduit openings may allow for through wiring of multiple switches. The EX Series can be mounted from any of the switch’s four sides.

MICRO SWITCH GSX Series explosion-proof safety switches combines the world-class MICRO SWITCH global safety switch (GSS) with our superior explosion-proof housing from our LSX and BX product lines, offering our customers the best of our engineering expertise.

The positive break feature is designed to provide a safe failure mode, ensuring the machine will not start, and therefore supporting a safer working environment. The GSX Series safety switch platform allows for over 10,000 actuator and switching option combinations, enabling our customers to source most of their safety and explosion-proof switch requirements from a single, global supplier.

The GXS Series flame-proof limit switches are designed specifically for use in hazardous applications. The GXS enclosure is epoxy sealed and has an environmental protection of IP66 as per IEC/EN 60529. The entire series GXS complies with the European Directive on Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (94/9/EC) commonly referred to as the ATEX Directive.

MICRO SWITCH LSX hazardous area switches are designed for use in adverse environments. They are approved for use in hazardous locations and NEMA classified atmospheres because their rugged housings have integral flame paths. These flame paths force internal expanding gases to cool below external atmosphere ignition temperatures before they leave the housing. The LSX also features tracking interchangeability with MICRO SWITCH BX Series Hazardous Area switches. An optional mounting plate provides the same tracking and mounting as the standard HDLS Series (heavy-duty limit switch).

The majority of HDLS operating heads and circuitry options are available for the LSX Series. The rotary actuated LSX Series products are designed for use with levers that have non-sparking actuators due to the potentially hazardous environment. The other styles of LSX Series switches which are the plunger actuated and wobble actuated products incorporate an integral non-sparking actuator.