KVRNER POWERGAS

I.S.LOOP CALCULATION

INTRINSICSAFE
LOOP

CALCULATIONS

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INTRINSIC SAFE LOOP CALCULATION

1. OBJECTIVE
When ever an I.S device is used in a hazardous atmosphere which is based on the
principle of restricting the electrical energy available in a hazardous area circuits such
that any sparks or hot surfaces that may occur as a result of electrical faults are too weak
to cause ignition. The primary purpose of this calculation is to show that NO potential
problem of stored energy exists on any intrinsic safe (I.S) cable when installed in a
project. The actual checking of all I.S laid cables has very little to comment on and not
required, but it is desirable that a checking of a couple of the longest laid cables on I.S
service with in the plant. This will be sufficient to indicate that all is well and the objective
is met.

2. APPLICATION
2.1 General
An Intrinsic safe system apparatus never stands by itself. Generally it is a part of a
system in which only certified components must be used in a way to generate the safety
of the system as well as compliance to the relevant local regulations. The simplified
schematic of an I.S system is shown below.

Non Hazardous Location

Associated

Hazardous Location

Connecting cable

I.S.
Apparatus

Apparatus

In general, if the field Instruments are located in a hazardous atmosphere, then it shall be
classified for use in that hazardous atmosphere which is achieved by using either an EExi
or EExd instruments. As this is an I.S Loop calculation, hence, EExd instrument is not
considered.
When an Intrinsic safe execution is adopted for a project, it must also be noted that all
Associated apparatus shall be EExi certified.

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2.2

I.S.LOOP CALCULATION

Analysis of a typical I.S. Installation

Refer to figure 1 shown below, it is possible to completely analyse a particular
I.S. system installation.
Non Hazardous Location

Associated

Hazardous Location

Safety

Connection cable

Apparatus

Apparatus
Figure 1
EEx ia IIC T3

Cable Interconnection

EEx ia IIC T3

Vmax = *

C=*

VA = *

Isc = *

L=*

Ia = *

Ca = *

R=*

Ceq = *

La = *

Leq = *

L/R = *

Note: * Applicable values of the Apparatus selected for the project to be

used which will depend upon cable vendor, barrier vendor and the field
apparatus vendor selected.
In order to analyze an I.S. loop the following shall be taken care off:

The safety apparatus must be certified as intrinsically safe for installation in

the relevant zone, gas group and gas ignition temperature.

It must be used within the ambient temperature limits for which it is designed
and certified.

The associated apparatus (passive or active) must be certified as suitable for

connection into the relevant zone and gas group.

The Electrical voltage and current parameters of the two apparatus must be
matched and respected according to the relations mentioned below:

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I.S.LOOP CALCULATION

Step 1 Vmax < Va

Step 2 Isc < Ia

NOTE: The safety cannot be guaranteed if one of the two conditions is

not respected.

Verify that the reactive part of the system i.e. capacitance and inductance, is
within the safety limits. In practice this equation is as mentioned below:

Step 3 Ceq + C (cable) < Ca

Step 4 Leq + L (cable) < La

The associated apparatus Ca and La parameters must not exceeded by

connected circuit considering, not only the field device, but also the
connecting cable. Hence the equation becomes:

C (cable) = Ca Ceq

L (cable) = La Leq

The maximum length of the connecting cable, referred to its

capacitance and inductance, is the lesser of the two relations. It may be
noted that the worst data value is due to the inductance, but the effect of the
increase of cable resistance with the increase of its length is not considered.
Note: The L/R ratio of the cable can be used as an alternative to the
maximum value of L/R allowed by the associated apparatus. If this
value is lower than that of the associated apparatus then the inductive
effect of the cable can be ignored and the cable distance can be
equivalent to the capacitance value.
3. ACTUAL CALCULATION OF I.S. LOOP WITH LONGEST CABLE RUN
Similar procedure / method shall be used as explained in the analysis with using
actual parameters on some of the longest run I.S. cable for a project.
Calculation sheet format shall be as attached / enclosed along with an example
calculation sheet for reference.

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KVRNER POWERGAS

I.S. Loop Calculation ---- Format

Client:

Loop number:

Project:

Cable Number:

Job Number:

Tag Number:

Non Hazardous Location

Hazardous Location

Associated Apparatus

Barrier /
Isol
ato

Length =

EEx ia IIC T3

Junction box
Nu
mb

Field
Instrument

Length =

Cable Interconnection

EEx ia IIC T3

Vmax =

C=

C=

VA =

Isc =

L=

L=

Ia =

Ca =

R=

R=

Ceq =

La =

Leq =

L/R =

I.S. Loop Calculation ---- Format

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I.S.LOOP CALCULATION

EXAMPLE SHEET

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I.S. Loop Calculation

Client: Borealis

Loop number:

Project: Polyethylene

Cable Number:

Job Number: 040022

Tag Number: TT-422142-1

Non Hazardous Location

TIC-422142-1

MI-422142

Hazardous Location

Associated Apparatus

Elcon isolator
2026 model

644 series FR
instrument

7422-AKL-004
Length = 310 Mts. (16x2x0.5mm2)

Length=30 Mts.(1x2x0.5mm2)

Cable ABB make (FKAR-PG)

EEx ia IIC T3

Cable ABB make (FKAR-PG)

Cable Interconnection

EEx ia IIC T3

Vmax = 26.25V

C = 90F/Km

C = 90F/Km

VA = 30 V

Isc = 93mA

L = 0.68 mH/Km

L = 0.68 mH/Km

Ia = 300mA

Ca = 0.097 F

R=

R=

Ceq = 0.005 F

La = 4.1mH

Leq = 0.02 mH

L/R = 46H/

Follow the step as indicated in Sheet 3 and 4 of this document

Step 1

Vmax < Va
26.25 < 30

Step 2

O.K.

Isc < Ia
93 < 300

Step 3

File name: I.S. Calculation

O.K.

Ceq + C (cable) < Ca

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I.S.LOOP CALCULATION
0.005 + 0.0027 + 0.027 < 0.097
0.034 < 0.097

Step 4

O.K.

Leq + L (cable) < La

0.02 + 0.0204 + 0.2108 < 4.1
0.2512 < 4.1

O.K.

Hence, the selected cable is suitable for the given length.

Cable value is based on the vendor catalogue information.

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