Zebra ET60 and ET65 Certified for C1D2 Hazardous Environments

Operating in hazardous locations like chemical plants, oil refineries, and specialized manufacturing facilities requires uncompromising safety standards. Consumer-grade devices simply aren’t safe and put your workers at risk. That is why we are thrilled to announce that the highly versatile Zebra ET60 (wi-fi only) and ET65 (wi-fi and cellular) Enterprise Tablets are now Class 1/Division 2 (C1D2) certified for safe use in hazardous environments.

What Does C1D2 Certification Mean for Your Operations?

C1D2 is a widely accepted North American ANSI/ISA certification for devices tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) for safe operation in hazardous locations (HazLoc). The ET6x C1D2 configurations are specifically engineered to avoid generating a spark or enough heat to cause an explosion. To ensure safety, they include special physical enhancements such as screws to securely lock the battery and USB port covers before entering a hazardous area.

The Zebra ET60 and ET65 Advantage: Rugged Redefined

Beyond its safety certifications, the ET60 and ET65 offer a versatile, single-platform solution that adapts to your evolving workflow needs. It can function as a rugged tablet, a desktop computer (with the snap-on friction hinge keyboard), or a fixed vehicle-mount computer in forklifts.

• Unmatched Ruggedness: Features IP66 sealing (can be hosed down for easy cleaning), a 5 ft. (1.5m) drop specification to concrete right out of the box, and thrives in blazing heat, dust, and freezing temperatures.
• Next-Generation Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Private 5G, and CBRS (US only) for blazing-fast, reliable connections inside facilities or out in the field.
• Superior Viewing: A super bright 1000-nit display protected by shatter- and scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass ensures readability in virtually any lighting condition, including bright outdoor sunlight.
• Advanced Data Capture: Utilize the 16 MP rear camera with OCR Wedge to automatically capture license plates, VINs, TINs, and meter readings. For intense scanning needs, the optional SE55 Advanced Range barcode scanner captures barcodes from near contact up to 40 ft. (12m) away.
• Powerful Performance: Powered by a Qualcomm® 6490 octa-core 2.7 GHz platform (for Android operating system) or the new Intel® Core™ Ultra platform (for Windows), enabling the AI and machine learning apps of today and tomorrow.

Hazardous Workflows Powered by the Zebra ET6x

Equipping workers with C1D2-certified ET6x tablets ensures they remain productive and safe when in hazardous locations:

• Petrochemical & Chemical Manufacturing: Perform specialized manufacturing maintenance, mobile HMI, PLC programming, and safety and compliance inspections where flammable vapors or liquids may be present.
• Oil & Gas / Utilities: Streamline critical infrastructure inspections, remote assistance, meter reading, and proof of service in potentially explosive environments.
• Mining: Automate asset management and track personnel safely in extreme, high-risk environments.
• Warehousing & Logistics: Utilize ultra-rugged forklift mounts to manage fleets, track inventory, and handle lineside replenishment seamlessly in facilities storing hazardous materials.

Learn More About the Zebra ET6x Tablet Certified for C1D2 Hazardous Environments

When worker safety is mandatory, you need a ruggedized mobile device that boasts the highest level of HazLoc safety without compromising on enterprise-class features. Contact the Zebra Technologies Corp mobile computer experts at CSSI to arrange a demo of the ET60 or ET65 rugged tablet PC.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Zebra ET6x Tablets for Hazardous Environments

1. What does C1D2 certification mean, and why does it matter for the Zebra ET60/ET65? C1D2 stands for Class 1, Division 2 — a designation under the ANSI/ISA hazardous-locations standard for areas where flammable gases or vapors may be present under abnormal conditions. The Zebra ET60 (Wi-Fi) and ET65 (Wi-Fi/cellular) have been certified to this standard by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, meaning independent testing confirmed the devices are engineered to avoid spark generation or explosive heat. In practice, this lets workers bring a full-featured tablet directly into petrochemical plants, oil and gas sites, and other combustible-atmosphere locations without needing a separate, stripped-down “hazloc” device.

2. What’s the difference between the ET60 and the ET65? Both models share the same rugged design and C1D2 certification, but they differ in connectivity: the ET60 is Wi-Fi only, while the ET65 adds cellular connectivity (including 5G) on top of Wi-Fi. The ET65 is the better fit for field teams who need connectivity outside Wi-Fi range — such as pipeline or utility inspectors working across a large site — while the ET60 suits facilities where reliable Wi-Fi 6E coverage is already in place.

3. How rugged are these tablets, and can they handle extreme conditions? The ET6x series is built for demanding industrial use: it carries an IP66 seal rating against dust and water, is rated for 5-foot drops, and is designed to tolerate extreme temperatures. The display is a 1,000-nit, Gorilla Glass-protected screen, so it stays readable in direct sunlight and holds up to the bumps and scrapes typical of plant floors, mining sites, and warehouse operations.

4. What safety precautions are needed before taking the tablet into a hazardous area? The ET60/ET65 include screws that lock down the battery compartment and USB port covers, and these need to be securely fastened before the device enters a classified hazardous location. This step is part of what allows the tablet to maintain its C1D2 rating in the field — it’s a simple but essential procedure for site safety compliance, and workers should confirm covers are locked as part of their pre-entry checklist.

5. What tasks can workers actually perform with these tablets, and which industries use them? Beyond basic data access, the ET6x can handle HMI and PLC programming, compliance inspections, infrastructure and asset inspections, remote expert assistance, meter reading, and inventory or fleet tracking. It also flexes into different form factors — used as a handheld tablet, docked as a desktop workstation with a friction-hinge keyboard, or mounted in a vehicle or forklift. Optional accessories like the SE55 barcode scanner (40-foot scan range) extend its use for warehousing and logistics. Typical industries include petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, mining, and warehousing/logistics operations that handle hazardous materials.