Bartec hazardous-area scanners: BCS36xx ex and SC9
Key facts
In chemical and pharmaceutical production, refineries, tank farms or paint shops, only devices approved for the respective zone may be used. The BCS36xx ex follow the form factor and dimensions of the Zebra DS3600 series and use a Zebra scan engine. Which zone applies is determined by your risk assessment; we help you choose the right device.
- Zone 1 and 21: BCS3608ex-IS, BCS3678ex-IS, SC9
- Zone 2 and 22: BCS3608ex-NI, BCS3678ex-NI
- North America: Class I, II, III Division 1 or 2
- Mobile applications with app, camera and 5G in Zone 1 (SC9)
- Areas without explosion protection requirements: Zebra DS3678 or Granit Ultra
- Battery swapping and charging inside the hazardous area (SC9: only outside, according to the manufacturer)
Detailed specifications
Bartec BCS36xx ex
| IS (Zone 1/21) | NI (Zone 2/22) | |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | Zone 1/21 and Class I, II, III Division 1 | Zone 2/22 and Class I, II, III Division 2 |
| ATEX marking (BCS3678ex-IS) | II 1G Ex ia ma op is IIC T4 Ga II 1D Ex ia ma op is IIIC T135 °C Da IP64 | per certificate |
| Models | BCS3608ex-IS (corded), BCS3678ex-IS (Bluetooth) | BCS3608ex-NI (corded), BCS3678ex-NI (Bluetooth) |
| Scan engine | Zebra SE4750-HP, 1D and 2D omnidirectional; up to 20 codes at once | Zebra SE4750 (standard range HP) or SE4850 (extended range) |
| Interfaces | USB-SPP (virtual COM port), RS-232 via supply modules | USB-SPP, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 |
| Sealing | IP65 | IP65 |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to 50 °C | not specified |
| Battery | over 100,000 scans per charge (BCS3678ex-IS) | not specified |
| Weight | 491 g (BCS3678ex-IS) | 309 g with SE4750, 334 g with SE4850 |
| Dimensions | 185 × 76 × 142 mm | 185 × 76 × 142 mm |
| Configuration | Zebra 123Scan via USB | Zebra 123Scan via USB |
Bartec SC9 Smartscanner
| Approval | Zone 1 and Division 1; ATEX, IECEx, NEC/CEC |
|---|---|
| Operating system and processor | Android 13, upgradeable to Android 15; Qualcomm QCM6490, 8 cores, 2.7 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM, 128 GB |
| Display | 6.1 inch AMOLED, 1,080 × 2,340 pixels, Gorilla Glass Victus, operable with gloves and stylus |
| Scan engine | Zebra SE55 with IntelliFocus, 1D and 2D up to 12.2 m |
| Wireless | 5G, LTE, dual SIM (nano SIM and eSIM), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Camera | 48 MP rear, 8 MP front |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh; swapping and charging only outside the hazardous area |
| Ruggedness | IP68, tested to MIL-STD-810H |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to 55 °C |
| Weight and size | 370 g; 168.7 × 83.4 × 30.8 mm |
Source: manufacturer data sheets and product pages, as of October 2026. Subject to change; individual variants may differ. Prices and delivery times are available in the shop.
Variants and accessories
| Device | Zone | Version | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCS36xx ex IS | Zone 1/21, Div 1 | corded or Bluetooth | in the shop |
| BCS36xx ex NI | Zone 2/22, Div 2 | corded or Bluetooth; standard range HP or extended range | in the shop |
| SC9 | Zone 1, Div 1 | Android smart scanner with 5G | in the shop |
Accessories per zone: batteries, 4-slot chargers, base stations and supply modules for 24 V DC, 110 to 120 V AC and 230 V AC. Where charging and battery swapping are permitted is defined in the operating manual.
Zone 1, Zone 2 or standard device?
| BCS3678ex-IS | BCS3678ex-NI | Zebra DS3678 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex approval | Zone 1/21 | Zone 2/22 | none |
| Weight (Bluetooth) | 491 g | 309 to 334 g | 407 g (SR) |
| Sealing | IP65 | IP65 | IP65, IP68 |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to 50 °C | not specified | -20 °C to 50 °C |
| Dimensions | 185 × 76 × 142 mm | 185 × 76 × 142 mm | 18.5 × 7.6 × 14.2 cm |
Devices for Zone 1 may generally also be used in Zone 2, but not the other way round. If only Zone 2 is required, the NI variant is lighter. Without explosion protection requirements, a standard device such as the Zebra DS3678 is sufficient. The device marking and your risk assessment are decisive.
What OPAL adds
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2?
In Zone 1 an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur occasionally in normal operation, in Zone 2 it is not likely or only for a short time. Zones 21 and 22 are the equivalent zones for combustible dust. The operator defines the zoning in its risk assessment.
May I use a Zone 1 device in Zone 2?
Yes, devices for Zone 1 are generally also suitable for Zone 2, but not vice versa. The device marking and the requirements of your risk assessment are decisive.
How is the BCS36xx ex connected?
Via supply modules with USB (virtual COM port) or RS-232, with RS-422 and RS-485 additionally available for the NI variant. Configuration is done with the Zebra 123Scan utility via USB.
Can I swap the battery in the hazardous area?
Not for the SC9 according to the manufacturer: swapping and charging only outside the hazardous area. For the BCS scanners, the requirements of the respective operating manual apply.
Data sheets and manufacturer information
Bartec provides certificates, operating manuals and data sheets on the product pages.
Suitable alternatives
