Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Basics
explosion protection
Contents
1 Physical basics 5
2 Legal provisions 9
3 Certification 11
5 Ignition sources 19
7 Types of protection 24
8 Marking 25
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Physical basics and definition 1
An explosion is the sudden chemical reaction of a combustible substance
with oxygen, with the release of a high amount of energy.
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1
Certain characteristic properties of these substances have to be observed
for safety considerations. The flash point is the lowest temperature of
a combustible liquid at which a flammable vapour-air-mixture builds up
above the liquid level (with normal air pressure). If the flash point of a
combustible liquid is significantly higher than the maximum temperatures,
an explosive atmosphere cannot build up.
Petrol ~ 0.6 ~8
Benzene 1.2 8
Methane 4.4 17
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1
Table 2: Classification of flammable liquids
IEC standards that are concerned with the explosion protection of elec-
trical equipment and facilities are developed by the Technical Committee
TC31 and are similar to recommendations which largely all standards
are oriented to. Until a few years ago, requirements for gas explosion
hazardous areas were defined in standard series 60079, and for areas with
combustible dust, the requirements were defined in series 61241. As a
lot of requirements are similar for both areas, both standard series have
been combined in series IEC 60079.
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Certification 3
There are different accredited IECEx certification bodies all over the world
(ExCB = certification body) and accredited IECEx test laboratories (ExTLs)
that are accredited pursuant to high uniform criteria and that are regularly
monitored.
At IECEx, a certificate will only be granted when the type test of the
test samples has been passed, and the existence of an effective quality
management system has been proven by an audit.
Currently, there are own regional and national approval processes all over
the world, like, for example, the ATEX directive in the European Union or
national approvals in the USA (UL, FM).
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Explosion protection measures 4
Primary explosion protection
The term primary explosion protection refers to all precautions which
prevent the formation of a dangerous explosive atmosphere.
This can be achieved by:
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4
Ignition prevention of potentially explosive atmospheres
The required safety level of these measures depends on the possible
hazard potential at the installation location. Hazardous areas are
therefore divided into Zones according to the probability of an explosive
atmosphere being present.
Classification of areas –
explosive gas atmospheres IEC 60079-10-1 EN 60079-10-1
Classification of areas –
combustible dust atmospheres IEC 60079-10-2 EN 60079-10-2
Electrical equipment in
type of protection »n« IEC 60079-15 EN 60079-15
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4
Electrical resistance trace heating –
application guide for design, installation and
maintenance IEC 60079-30-2 EN 60079-30-2
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Ignition sources 5
Ignition of a potentially explosive atmosphere can be caused by various
ignition sources:
èèhot surfaces
èèelectrical installations
èèstatic electricity
èèlightning
èèoptical radiation
èèionizing radiation
èèultrasound
èèexothermic reactions
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Classification of Zones – equipment 6
categories and equipment protection
level (EPL)
With respect to the ignition sources, hazardous areas are classified into
Zones to facilitate the selection of adequate equipment and the design
of appropriate electrical installations. Zone classification reflects the
probability of a potentially explosive atmosphere developing.
The maximum risk potential has to be taken into account when dividing
the potentially explosive areas into zones and determining the necessary
protective measures. The equipment used in the defined hazardous zone
must meet the requirements of the relevant assigned equipment category
or equipment protection level.
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6
Table 4: Zone classification
1G Ga very high 0
2G Gb high 1
3G Gc normal/increased 2
1D Da very high 20
2D Db high 21
3D Dc normal/increased 22
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7 Types of protection
Electrical explosion-protected equipment for gas and dust hazardous
areas can be designed in different types of protection, pursuant to the
building regulations given in standard series IEC 60079 or EN 60079.
Types of protection for non-electrical equipment are defined in standard
series EN 13463.
èèSymbol Ex
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8
In Europe, additional marking is required by directive 94/9/EC (ATEX):
Marking pursuant to
directive 94/9/EC Category
èèSymbol
Table 6: Gases are classified into groups according to their ignition characteristics
IIA Propane +
IIB Ethylene ++
> 85 up to 100 T6 85
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Installation and operation of electrical 9
equipment
The plant operator is responsible for the safe operation of the facility. He
has to assess the explosion hazard and classify the Zones accordingly.
He has to ensure that the facility is properly installed and tested prior to
operation.
The proper state of the facility has to be kept with regular inspections
and maintenance. The requirements regarding operation of facilities in
hazardous areas are defined in the national regulations.
The installer has to observe the installation requirements and select and
install the electrical equipment correctly according to their intended use.
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Table 9: Potentially explosive atmosphere (gas and combustible dust)
IEC EN
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ID-No. 229881
2014-07 / EN – Printed in Germany