IK10 vs ATEX Displays: Impact Resistance and Explosion Safety

In industrial and automotive-related projects, it’s common to hear requests like:

“We need an IK10 ATEX display.”

At first glance, this sounds reasonable.
In reality, IK10 and ATEX address two completely different risks, and they are often misunderstood—or mistakenly combined—during early project discussions.

Understanding the difference is critical for correct specification, cost control, and long-term system reliability.

IK10: Protection Against Mechanical Impact

IK ratings are defined by IEC 62262, focusing purely on mechanical impact resistance of an enclosure.

What IK10 Actually Means

• IK10 represents 20 joules of impact energy

• Typically tested using a steel hammer or pendulum

• The goal is to verify:

  • Enclosure integrity

  • Glass breakage resistance

  • Continued functional operation after impact

In simple terms:

IK10 answers the question: “Will it survive being hit?”

Typical IK10 Display Applications

IK10 industrial displays are commonly used in environments where physical abuse or accidental impact is expected:

• Factory HMIs

• Public kiosks

• Industrial control panels

• Outdoor terminals

• Gyms, transportation hubs, and semi-public spaces

To achieve IK10, displays usually rely on:

• Thick tempered or laminated glass

• Reinforced metal housings

• Structural support around the display area

However, IK10 does not evaluate electrical behavior, surface temperature, or ignition risk.

ATEX: Preventing Ignition in Hazardous Environments

ATEX (Directive 2014/34/EU) addresses a completely different problem:
preventing equipment from becoming an ignition source in explosive atmospheres.

What ATEX Is Designed to Prevent

ATEX certification focuses on risks such as:

• Electrical sparks or arcs

• Excessive surface temperature

• Static electricity discharge

• Energy accumulation in circuits

• Dust or gas ingress leading to ignition

In short:

ATEX answers the question: “Could this device ignite its environment?”

Typical ATEX Display Applications

ATEX displays are required in hazardous areas, including:

• Oil & gas facilities

• Chemical plants

• Mining operations

• Grain handling and dust-rich environments

ATEX compliance involves:

• Strict limits on maximum surface temperature (T-class)

• Controlled electrical energy levels

• Sealed and validated enclosure designs

• System-level safety validation—not just component upgrades

Why IK10 and ATEX Are Not Interchangeable

This is where confusion often arises.

An IK10 display can still:

• Generate sparks

• Reach high surface temperatures

• Accumulate static charge

An ATEX display may:

• Be mechanically fragile

• Fail impact resistance requirements unless specifically designed for them

They solve different engineering problems.

Can One Display Be Both IK10 and ATEX?

Technically, yes—but not by default.

A display designed to meet both requirements must:

• Pass mechanical impact testing (IK10)

• Meet ATEX ignition protection rules

• Be validated as a complete system, not just at component level

This significantly affects:

• Mechanical design

• Material selection

• Cost

• Lead time

• Certification scope

That’s why not every industrial display should—or needs to—be ATEX-rated.

Choosing the Right Requirement: Ask the Right Question First

Before specifying “IK10 ATEX display,” the real question should be:

• Is the primary risk physical impact?

• Or explosive atmosphere exposure?

• Or both?

Misclassification often leads to:

• Over-engineered solutions

• Unnecessary certification cost

• Longer development cycles

Clear environmental definition upfront saves time for both buyers and suppliers.

Final Thoughts

While IK10 and ATEX are frequently discussed in the same breath, it is crucial to recognize they serve two distinct safety functions:

• IK10 safeguards the device against external force.

• ATEX safeguards the environment from the device.

Understanding this fundamental distinction ensures that your displays are correctly specified, rigorously validated, and safely deployed. In industrial or hazardous-area projects, identifying the actual risk scenario early in the design phase is far more effective than simply stacking certifications.

For a deeper look at how we integrate these standards into high-performance hardware, explore our specialized IK10 Touchscreen for ATEX Display | FANNAL Industrial Touch Solutions.

FAQ

Q: Does IK10 testing include validation of the touch panel after impact?
A: It depends on the test scope. Standard IK testing verifies enclosure integrity, but for industrial touch displays, functional verification (including touch accuracy and display performance after impact) should be explicitly included in the test report.

Q: If a display is ATEX-certified, can it be installed in any hazardous area?
A: No. ATEX certification must match the specific zone classification (Zone 0, 1, or 2 for gas; Zone 20, 21, or 22 for dust) and temperature class. Installation outside its certified zone is not permitted.

Q: Is ATEX certification applied to components or the complete display system?
A: ATEX applies to the complete equipment assembly. Even if individual components are compliant, the final display system must be evaluated and certified as a whole.

Q: How does IK10 affect optical performance and touch sensitivity?
A: Achieving IK10 often requires thicker or laminated glass, which may influence optical clarity, reflectivity, and capacitive touch sensitivity. Proper optical bonding and controller tuning are critical to maintain usability.

Q: What documentation should buyers request for IK10 or ATEX validation?
A: Buyers should request official test reports from accredited laboratories, including test conditions, impact energy level (for IK), zone classification, and temperature class (for ATEX), rather than relying solely on marketing claims.