- ATEX Zone 2 Certified Safety PLC: The Canvas 7D and the XL7 Prime, from Horner Automation, are now approved for use in hazardous environments, meeting strict safety standards for explosive atmospheres.
- Rugged, Reliable Performance: Both devices offer high-performance control and display capabilities in compact, durable designs — ideal for oil & gas, chemical, and process industries.
- Expanded Application Opportunities: This certification enables safe deployment of Horner’s advanced automation solutions in regulated sectors, combining innovation with compliance.
Horner Automation Gains ATEX Zone 2 Certification for Canvas 7D and XL7 Prime: A New Era of Safe Automation
Horner Automation is proud to announce that two of its flagship products, the Canvas 7D and the XL7 Prime, have achieved ATEX Zone 2 certification, making them fully approved for use in hazardous areas classified as Zone 2. This milestone marks a significant advancement for industrial users requiring a safety PLC in potentially explosive environments such as oil and gas facilities, chemical plants, and other process-driven sectors.
What Is ATEX Zone 2?
ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) certification is a critical safety requirement for electronic equipment used in explosive atmospheres. Zone 2 classification refers to areas where explosive gases are not likely to occur during normal operation, and if they do, they’re only present for short periods. However, in these situations, the risk of explosion still exists, and equipment used must meet stringent safety and design standards.
With ATEX Zone 2 certification, the Canvas 7D and XL7 Prime can now be confidently deployed in these regulated environments, providing the same reliability, performance, and ease of integration that Horner Automation users expect without compromising safety.
Canvas 7D Safety PLC: Slim Design, Serious Power

The Canvas 7D is Horner’s most modern and elegant display option, offering a sleek color touchscreen and high-resolution 7-inch display. Now with ATEX Zone 2 certification, the Canvas 7D can be used in hazardous areas to provide advanced HMI capabilities in a compact, low-profile format.
The Canvas 7D offers powerful monitoring and control capabilities. With its robust construction, IP66-rated front panel, and wide temperature range, the Canvas 7D is more than ready for the tough demands of ATEX environments.
- all-new graphics engine built with Cscape 10 enhanced graphics
- multi-core SOM with dedicated logic and graphics cores
- 7″ WVGA (800×480) display with physical function keys
- 6 I/O configurations for up to 42 I/O points onboard
- dual Ethernet, 3 serial ports, dual CAN ports, 2MB logic memory
XL7 Prime: All-in-One Control in Hazardous Zones
The XL7 Prime is a rugged, all-in-one controller combining PLC, HMI, and I/O in a single, compact unit. Known for its versatility, the XL7 Prime features a 7-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen, a variety of I/O configurations, and advanced networking capabilities including Ethernet, CAN, and serial communications.
Now ATEX Zone 2 certified, the XL7 Prime is an ideal solution for hazardous applications where control and monitoring must be tightly integrated in one platform. With its proven reliability in harsh environments, the XL7 Prime ensures high performance, even in the presence of flammable gases or vapors.
- bright color touchscreen interface with powerful graphical processing and display of trends, meters, and animations
- online programming, remote monitoring, and data logging capabilities
- CsCAN networking port, expandable I/O, and removable media slot

Why Using a Safety PLC Matters
The addition of ATEX Zone 2 certification demonstrates Horner Automation’s continued commitment to providing safe, compliant, and cutting-edge automation solutions for industrial users around the globe. These certifications open new doors for customers in regulated industries, offering peace of mind along with the innovation Horner is known for.
Whether you’re retrofitting existing systems or designing new installations in potentially explosive environments, the Canvas 7D and XL7 Prime provide the flexibility, power, and safety you need—all from a trusted name in industrial automation.
Explore the new ATEX-certified solutions from Horner Automation—where innovation meets safety.