Hazardous Areas Classification - European Standard Page 1 of 6

Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications! - adapts seamlessly to phones, pads and desktops!
AdChoices Hazardous Safety Hazardous Area Hazardous Can EX Atex

Search - "Search is the most efficient way to navigate the Engineering ToolBox!"

Hazardous Areas Classification - European Standard

European hazardous area classification in zones, protection types, temperature codes and codes
Sponsored Links

Line bushing,Overpressure
New ex overpressure(no flushing). online calculation ex line bushing

Outside North America hazardous areas are classified by gas groups and zones.

Zones are used to define the probability of presence of flammable materials

Groups classifies exact flammable natures of materials

Protection Types are used to denote the safety levels of the devices. Equipment approved receives temperature codes indicating
maximum surface temperature of the equipment.

Zones
The zone defines the probability of hazardous material being present in an ignitable concentration in the surrounding atmosphere.

Area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is continuously present or present for long
Zone 0
periods.
Combustible or conductive dusts are present. Area in which an explosive gas-air
Zone 1
mixture is likely to occur for short periods in normal operation.
Area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is not likely to occur, and if it occurs it will
Zone 2
only exist for a very short time due to an abnormal condition.

Protection Types
Different protection techniques are used to address the hazardous zones.

Zone

Ex d Flameproof (Explosion proof) Enclosure 1, 2

Ex e Increased Safety 1, 2
Ex ia Intrinsically Safe 0, 1, 2
Ex ib Intrinsically Safe 1, 2
Ex o Oil Immersion 2
Ex p Pressurized Apparatus (Purged Apparatus) 1, 2
Ex q Powder Filling (Sand Filling) 2
Ex m Encapsulation 1, 2
Ex n or Ex N Non incentive or/and normally no sparking circuits 2

Flameproof (Explosion proof) Enclosure

All electrical circuits are enclosed in a house strong enough to contain any explosion or fire that may take place on the inside.

Increased Safety
Electrical circuits incorporates special measures to reduce the probability of excessive temperatures and the occurrence of arcs and
sparks in normal service.

Intrinsically Safety
The electrical energy available in circuits and equipment, is limited to a level to low to ignite the most easily ignitable mixtures in a
hazardous area.

Intrinsically safe barriers, as Zener, are installed in the circuit to limit current and voltage in the hazardous areas to avoid sparks or hot
spots under fault conditions.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/hazardous-areas-classification-d_395.html 05-01-2016
Hazardous Areas Classification - European Standard Page 2 of 6

Hazardous Area Types of Protection

Temperature Codes
A mixture of air and hazardous gases may ignite by coming in contact with a hot surface. An ignition depends on surface area,
temperature and the concentration of the gas.

Certified equipment are tested for maximum temperature ratings by approval agencies. Equipment for Group II receives a temperature
code indicating the maximum surface temperature.

Temperature Code o
F o
C
T1 842 450
T2 572 300
T3 392 200
T4 275 135
T5 212 100
T6 185 85

The coding is based on a 104 oF (40 oC) ambient temperature.

The automatic ignition temperature can be found in IEC 79-4.

Critical Temperature Parameters For Dust Explosions

Groups
Electrical equipment are divided into two groups where Group I covers equipment used in mines and Group II covers all other
applications. Group II is subdivided into three subgroups where the specific hazardous materials within each group can be found in
CENELEC EN 50014.

For application in below ground installations (mines) where methane (firedamp) and
Group I
coal dust may be present.
Group IIA For application in above ground installation where hazards due to propane may exist.
Group IIB For application in above ground installations where hazards due to ethylene may exist.
For application in above ground installations where hazards due to hydrogen or
Group IIC
acetylene may exist.
Sponsored Links

ATEX Air Conditioners

Explosion proof AC units: EX Zone 2 With EU ATEX Product Certification

Sponsored Links

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/hazardous-areas-classification-d_395.html 05-01-2016