Hazardous Areas are defined as:

premises, buildings, or parts thereof in which there exists the hazard of fire or
explosion due to following:
a)

highly flammable gases, flammable volatile liquid mixtures, or other highly

flammable substances are manufactured or used, or stored

b)

combustible dust or flyings are likely to be present in quantities sufficient

to produce an explosive or combustible mixture

For an area to be classified as a Hazardous

Area there must be the possibility that the
conditions for an explosion or fire may
exist as the result of some abnormal
occurrence.

Premises or locations
Alcohols (production by distillation)
Batteries (charging workshops)
Acetylene (storage or use of)
Acetylene (manufacture of)
Use or storage of toxic substances
or preparation
Acids (use or storage of)
Flammable amines, storage
Workshops for repair and servicing
of motor vehicles
Wood or similar combustible
materials
(workshops where these are
worked on) Wood, paper,
cardboard or similar combustible
materials (deposits of) Candles or
other wax objects, etc.
(moulding of)

Grinding, crushing, etc, of

vegetable substances and all
organic products
Polymer processing
Easily flammable solids
Charcoal (deposits or warehouses
of)
Shoes or leather/skin products
(manufacture of)
Oxidising substances
(manufacture, use, storage of)
Detergent (manufacture of
products

Liquefied fuel gases (filling stations,

or distribution of)
Tar, pitch, resins, etc. (mixture or
hot processing of)
Coal, coke, etc (warehouses and
deposits of)
Gaseous hydrogen (storage, use of)
Flammable liquids (storage and
manufactured tank of)
Flammable liquids (installations for
blending, processing or use of)
Flammable liquids (filling or
distribution stations)
Leather goods (workshops)

Plastics, plastomers or elastomers

(manufacture of)
Refrigeration or compression
(installations)
Sugar factories, sugar refineries,
malt houses
Silos and storage installations for
cereals, grain, food products or
any organic products releasing
flammable dust
Textile dyeing and printing
Fabrics, knitted articles, tulles,
guipure lace, etc (manufacturing
workshops
Varnishes, paints, primers, glues,
rendering (application, baking,
drying of)

Hazardous Locations are classified according to the nature of the hazard, as

follows: (as per NEC definitions)
a) Class I locations are those in which flammable gases or vapors are or may
be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive gas
atmospheres;
b) Class II locations are those which are hazardous because of the presence
of combustible or electrically conductive combustible dusts;
c) Class III locations are those which are hazardous because of the presence
of easily ignitable fibers or flyings, but in which such fibers or flyings are not
likely to be in suspension in air in quantities sufficient to produce ignitable
mixtures.

For an area to be classified as a Hazardous

Location there must be the possibility that the
conditions for an explosion or fire may exist as
the result of some abnormal occurrence.

All three elements must be present for an

explosion to occur.

For an explosion to take place, all three sides of the triangle,satisfying the
following conditions, must be present:
There must be a supply of oxygen present. In most situations this is
applicable as a result of the oxygen content in the air (21%).
There must be sufficient fuel present in the air to form an ignitable mixture.
The fuel may be in the form of a gas, vapor, mist or dust.
There must be a source of ignition with sufficient energy to ignite the fuelair mixture. For electrical equipment this may be from an arcing or sparking
device or from a hot surface. There may be sources of ignition other than
electrical equipment, such as hot exhaust surfaces from internal
combustion engines. These devices do not fall within the scope of the North
American electrical codes and are normally covered by other codes and
standards such as Occupational Health and Safety.

How to prevent explosions ?

The basic requirement to classify a Hazardous Location is to ensure that

all three sides of the triangle do not exist simultaneously. If any one
side of the triangle is not present, an explosion cannot occur. Protection
against explosions will therefore require control or elimination of one or
more sides of the triangle.

1.0 THE OXYGEN SIDE

In most situations there is sufficient oxygen present in the air (21%) to
meet the conditions for an explosion. In some situations however,
oxygen may be excluded by blanketing an enclosed area with another gas
to ensure there will not be sufficient oxygen present. The blanket gas is
normally an inert gas, such as nitrogen, or in some cases it may even be a
flammable gas such as methane.

2.0 THE FUEL SIDE

If avoiding the use of flammable substances is not possible,

the fuel side of the triangle is removed by enclosing the gas
or dust in piping, or vessels in the case of gas, vapors or
flammable liquids, or in enclosed ducts in the case of dust.

3.0 THE IGNITION SIDE

The electrical equipment installed in Hazardous Locations forms the
ignition side of the triangle. The various designs used for electrical equipment
ensure there will not be a simultaneous occurrence of all three sides of the
triangle.
The specific design of an electrical device for use in a Hazardous Location will
depend on the amount of time it will be exposed to flammable concentrations
of flammable material. In other words, the design must be suitable for
the classification of the area in which it is installed.
.

The most important characteristics of flammable substances in regard to ignition are:

Upper Flammable Limit
Lower Flammable Limit
Flash Point of the flammable material
Auto-Ignition Temperature
Vapor Density
1.0 UPPER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (UEL)is the highest percentage by volume of gas or
vapor in a gas-air mixture that will form an ignitable concentration. Above that
concentration there is too much gas or vapor in the mixture and the gas-air mixture is too rich to
ignite.
2.0 LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (LEL)is the lowest percentage by volume of gas (or vapor) in
a gas-air mixture that will form an ignitable concentration. Below that concentration there is
insufficient gas or vapor in the mixture and the gas-air mixture is too lean to be ignited.

The mixture of gas and air must be between the Upper and Lower
Flammable Limits for a fire or explosion to occur.

3.0 FLASH POINT OF THE FLAMMABLE MATERIALS

Flash point is the minimum temperature of a liquid at which sufficient
vapor is given off to form an ignitable mixture with air, near the surface
of a liquid. Liquids with a flash point below
Flammable limits are normally given at 25C; an increase in
temperature widens the flammable limits.
As a general rule, 12C below flash point results in a flammable vapor
concentration of 50% of the lower flammable limit
Class I

Flash Point

Group

Substance

IIB

Acetaldehyde

-38

-39

IIA

Acetic Acid

103

39

IIA

Acetic Anhydride

120

49

IIA

Acetone

-4

-20

4.0 AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE

The ignition temperature of a gas, sometimes referred to as
auto-ignition temperature, is the lowest surface temperature which will ignite the flammable
atmosphere (independent of any externally heated element).
This becomes important when determining the temperature rating, or T-rating, of an enclosure
or component.
Published values of ignition temperature are determined by injecting a gas sample into a heated
flask to determine the minimum temperature at which ignition takes place.
Class I

Auto-Ignition Temp.

Group

Substance

IIB

Acetaldehyde

347

75

IIA

Acetic Acid

867

464

IIA

Acetic Anhydride

600

316

IIA

Acetone

869

465

IIA

Acetone Cyanohydrin

1270

688

When selecting hazardous area electrical

apparatus, ensure that the gas grouping is
appropriate to the area classification and that the
temperature classification of the equipment is not
higher than the auto ignition temperature of the
surrounding gas or vapor
VAPOR DENSITY
The vapor density of a gas sometimes referred to as relative vapor density, is the weight
of a volume of a vapor or gas with no air present compared to the weight of an equal
volume of dry air at the same normal atmospheric temperature and pressure. Vapor
densities greater than 1.0 indicate the vapor or gas is heavier than air and will tend to
settle towards the ground. Vapor densities less than 1.0 indicate the vapor or gas is
lighter than air and will tend to rise.

Class I
Group

Vapor Density
Substance

(Air Equals 1.0)

IIB

Acetaldehyde

1.5

IIA

Acetic Acid

2.1

IIA

Acetic Anhydride

3.5

IIA

Acetone

2.0

The gases are divided into groups with similar characteristics based on
two main factors:
The requirements for constructing an explosion proof or flameproof
enclosure to contain an explosion of the gas or vapor, and
The minimum current (amperage) required to ignite the gas or vapor. This
is the basis for gas grouping relative to intrinsically safe circuits.
The North American Division system groups gases into four Groups;
A, B, C and D, where A is the most critical group.
The IEC system groups the gases into only three Groups; A, B and C, with
C as the most critical group.

Explosion proof or flameproof enclosures are constructed to withstand an internal gas

explosion without damage to the enclosure and to cool the hot gases produced by the
explosion as they exit the enclosure along the flame paths.
The gases in the most critical gas groups (i.e. Groups A, B or IIC) require longer flame paths
to cool the gas and sometimes thicker walls to contain the increased pressure of the internal
explosion.
The main factor in grouping gases for the design of explosion proof enclosures is the
Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG). MESG for a given gas is the maximum gap or
opening (expressed in mm), for a 25 mm-wide flame path, which does not propagate an
explosion of that gas.
Minimum Ignition Current (MIC) is determined in a laboratory and provides comparative
values for the purposes of grouping only. Gases in the higher gas groups will ignite with
lower currents, and as a result, intrinsically safe circuits for these groups will be restricted
to lower currents than in the lower groups. For the IEC, gases and vapors are
subdivided according to the ratio of their minimum igniting currents (MIC) to that of
laboratory methane.

NORTH AMERICAN Vs IEC PRACTICES

NORTH AMERICAN VS IEC PRACTICES The North American Division system groups
gases into four groups while the IEC system groups the gases into only three groups. Table
2.4.1 shows a comparison of the two systems, a typical gas for each group and the MESG
and MIC for each of the gases.
Table 2.4.1
Comparison of North American and IEC Gas Groupings
MESG
Typical
Gas
Acetylene
Hydrogen
Ethylene
Propane

NA
(mm)
IEC
0.25
<0.5
0.28
<0.5
0.65
0.5-0.9
0.97
>0.9

MIC
(mm)
IEC*
60
>0.8
75
>0.8
108 0.45-0.8
146
<0.45

Grouping
NA
A
B
C
D

IEC
IIC
IIC
IIB
IIA

* For the IEC gases and vapors are subdivided according to the ratio of their minimum
igniting currents (MIC) to that of laboratory methane

For the purpose of flameproof enclosures and intrinsic safety,

gases and vapors have been classified according to the groups or
subgroups of apparatus required for use in the particular gas or vapor
atmosphere. The groups of the apparatus are:
GROUP I : FOR MINING APPLICATIONS
GROUP II : APPLICATION IN OTHER INDUSTRIES
For group II apparatus is subdivided according to the requirements
appropriate to the nature of the flammable, atmosphere for which
the apparatus is intended.

These sub groups with a representative gas and

the design parameters are as follows:

APPARATUS SUB GROUP

REPRESENTATIVE GAS

II A

PROPANE

II B

ETHYLENE

II C

HYDROGEN

Various gases & vapours, for which a particular group of enclosure is

suitable are listed in IS : 9570-1980

The selection of electrical equipment for use in hazardous areas must ensure that the
maximum surface temperature of any part of the apparatus exposed to the potentially
explosive atmosphere, does not exceed the auto ignition temperature
(i.e., the temperature at which the substance when heated will ignite spontaneously).
Temperature classifications according to the North American and IEC 79-0 standards are
detailed in Table A.
The reference ambient temperature of 40C will be assumed unless otherwise stated on
the apparatus labeling .
The T-Classification allocated to Certified Electrical Apparatus is based on normal
temperature at the most difficult operating conditions. For example, the most onerous
condition for an increased safety, Ex-e, terminal box would be an enclosure fitted with the
maximum permitted number of terminals with every terminal carrying its maximum
rated current and maximum cable lengths connected to each terminal .

Table A
T-numbers for North America and IEC
Maximum
Temperature
Classification
T1
T2
T2A
T2B
T2C
T3
T3A
T3B
T3C
T4
T4A
T5
T6

Surface Temperature
North America
IEC
450C
450C
300C
300C
280C
260C
230C
200C
200C
180C
165C
160C
135C
135C
20C
100C
100C
85C
85C

FOLLOWING ARE MAIN STANDARDS IN AREA CLASSIFICATION

1.0 IEC
2.0 NEC
THE AREA CLASSIFICATION IN NEC IS BASED ON DIVISION
SYSTEM & IN IEC THE SAME IS IN ZONE SYSTEM

CLASS I

DIVISION
DESCRIPTION
SYSTEM

ZONE
SYSTEM
ZONE 0

DIVISION 1

Hazardous under
normal operation

GASES &
VAPORS
DIVISION 2

Not normally
Hazardous

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

COMMENTS
Division 1 is split into
Zone 0 and 1. Zone 0 is a
small % of locations
usually confined to inside
vented tanks.
Zone 2 and Division 2 are
essentially the same

CLASSIFIED
AREA

Zone 0

Continuously Normally Presently

Div. 1

Div. 2

ESTIMATED %
OF DIVISION
AREAS IN
EUROPE
<2%

<5%
Occasionally in normal opeartions

Zone 1
Zone 2

TIME THAT HAZ. GASES

PRESENT IN INGNITABLE
CONCENTRATIONS

ESTIMATED %
OF DIVISION
AREAS IN
NORTH
AMERICA

Not normally present

> 60 %
> 95 %

< 40 %

DEFINITION OF DIVISIONS:
North American Hazardous Locations are divided into Class and Divisions:
Class I, Division 1 :
A Class I, Division 1 location is one where an explosive atmosphere is presumed to be
present in normal operation either all or part of the time. These are typically
manufacturing areas such as a pharmaceutical plant where volatile gases escape from
vessels during fermentation. In theory, Division 1 locations encompass both Zones 0
and 1 as designated in IEC Standards.
Class I, Division 2 :
A Class I, Division 2 location is one where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases
are handled, processed or used, but which are normally enclosed in containers from
which they can only escape in the case of accidental rupturing or abnormal operation of
equipment. This classification approximates Zone 2 in IEC Standards

DEFINITION OF ZONES:
The Zones are divided in three types based upon frequency of occurrence
and duration of an explosive gas atmosphere as follows:
ZONE 0:
Zone 0, locations in which explosive gas atmospheres are present
continuously or are present for long periods;
Zone 0 locations are those where there is a flammable mixture exists
typically more than 1,000 hours per year.
Zone 0 locations typically do not exist outside of enclosed spaces except for
the area immediately around vents which are venting from a Zone 0
location.

ZONE 1
Zone 1, comprising locations in which:
Explosive gas atmospheres are likely to occur in normal operation; or
Zone 1 locations are those where there is a flammable mixture more than 10
hours per year and less than 1,000 hours per year.
Zone 1 locations normally occur around vents or in enclosed areas where
there are intermittent or continuously open processes
The areas where Explosive gas atmospheres may exist frequently because of
repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage;
The area where location is adjacent to a class I, Zone 0 location, from which
explosive gas atmospheres could be communicated .

ZONE 2
Zone 2, comprising Class I locations in which, Explosive gas atmospheres are
not likely to occur in normal operation and, if they do occur, they will exist for a
short time only; or
Explosive gas atmospheres will not occur in the air except as the result of an
abnormal situation such as a failed pump packing, flange leak, etc. Also when
an abnormal situation does occur it will be corrected within a short time .
Zone 2 locations are those where explosive gas atmospheres will exist for less
than 10 hours per year

ZONE CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

The primary activity for Area Classification is to list the process equipment in the
area under consideration and identify all potential sources of flammable
material.
An estimate must be made of the duration and frequency of each release in order
to classify the emission as Continuous, Primary or Secondary and the rate of
potentially explosive atmosphere into the surrounding area.

Continuous Grade (1000 hours/year) leads to a Zone 0.

Primary Grade (100 hours/year) leads to a Zone 1.
Secondary Grade (10 hour/year in total) leads to a Zone 2.

EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS AREA ZONE CLASSIFICATION

ZONE 0:
Areas within process equipment developing flammable gas or vapors.
Areas within enclosed pressure vessels or storage tanks.
Areas around vent pipes which discharge continually or for long periods.
Areas over or near the surface of flammable materials
ZONE 1

Areas above roofs outside storage tanks.

Areas above floating storage tanks.
Areas within a specified radius around the outlet pipes and safety valves.
Rooms without ventilation openings from a Zone 1 area.
Areas around flexible pipelines and hoses.
Areas around sample taking points.
Areas around seals of pumps, compressors and similar primary sources.

Typical Zone designation.

Zone 0 is inside the vented tank and near the vent.
Zone 1 is a perimeter around the vent.
Zone 2 is the area outside the tank.

EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS AREA ZONE CLASSIFICATION

ZONE 2

Areas around flanges and connecting valves.

Areas outside Zone 1 around outlet pipes and safety valves.
Areas around vent openings from Zone 2.

See file hazardous area examples.doc

Method of
Protection

Symbol

Flameproof

Increased

Protection Principle

Zone

Withstand and contain the explosion & prevent

transmission of explosion to surrounding external
atmosphere.
No arcs, sparks, or hot surfaces.

Standards
CENELEC
IEC

EN 50 018

60079-1

EN 50 019

60079-7

Safety

Intrinsic Safety

ia
ib

Removes ignition from explosion triangle through

prevention of high fault current & voltage.

Pressurization

Removes fuel from explosion triangle by passing

protective gas through enclosure.

0
1

EN 50 020
EN 50 020
1

60079-11
60079-11

EN 50 016

60079-2

Non-Sparking

Powder Filled

No arcs, sparks, or hot surfaces.

EN 50 021

60079-15

Electrical components are covered with a filling

medium, preventing presence of explosive
gas-air mixtures.

EN 50 017

60079-5

Electrical parts are immersed in oil, preventing

exposure of arc or spark to explosive atmosphere.

EN 50 015

60079-6

Oil Immersion

Encapsulation
----A

Special

Encapsulation

Component parts which could ignite an explosive

EN 50 028

atmosphere are enclosed in resin compound

Special protective techniques not covered by

standards

----- Protection
National

Ex-d is a type of Ex Protection in which the parts that can ignite an

explosive gas air mixture are placed in an enclosure which can
withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion, and
which prevents transmission of the explosion to the surrounding
external atmosphere. (IS : 2148-1981)

Flameproof enclosures contain the explosion and allow gases to cool as they escape
across the joints.

Flameproof protection is often used for motors and switchgear. Since very little heat is
generated in switchgear, the surface temperature of the enclosure is only slightly higher
than the surrounding atmosphere. In most cases the switchgear satisfies the temperature
classes T5 and T6.
Motors dissipate more heat. In order not to exceed the permissible limiting
temperature, it may be necessary to lower the rated output of a flameproof motor as
compared to a standard motor.
Examples of components requiring flameproof protection:
Motors with slip rings and commutators
Three-phased squirrel cage motors
Switchgear with opening and closing contacts such as motor protection switches, circuit
breakers and air break contactors
Fuses
Transformers
Lighting fixtures
Communication equipment measuring instruments

The definition of Type e Protection is where increased

measures are taken to prevent the possibility of excessive heat, arcs,
or sparks occurring on internal or external parts of the apparatus in
normal operation.
The increased safety concept can be used for electrical equipment
such as terminal boxes, lighting, transformers, instruments, and
motors.
Ex-e prevents the possibility of excessive heat, arcs or sparks from
occurring on internal or external parts of the apparatus in normal
operation.
The increased safety concept is only suitable for non-sparking
apparatus and is commonly used in Zone 2 designated hazardous
areas. (IS : 6381 1972)

Whereas the other protective techniques use mechanical means to

prevent ignition from electrical faults, intrinsic safety, Ex-ia is an
electrical protective measure.
This protective technique removes ignition from the explosion triangle.
Intrinsic Safety, used in both Zones 0 & 1 and Division 1, prevents high
fault currents and voltage from occurring in control circuits.
Intrinsic Safety is normally applied to sensing or control circuits which
are 24 VDC/AC or less..

EX-ia LIMITS THE ENERGY

Voltage and current limitations are determined by ignition curves, as seen in
Fig. 4. A circuit with a combination of 30 V and 150 mA would fall on the ignition
level of some gases. This combination of voltage and current could create a spark
with enough energy to ignite the mixture of gases and oxygen.
Intrinsically safe applications always stay below these curves.

Ex-ia prevents excess voltage

and current from creating
sparks with enough energy to
ignite gases.

(IS : 5780- 1980)

Pressurization, which is a similar to purging, removes fuel from the explosion

triangle by passing a quantity of protective gas through the enclosure. (IS :
7389 (PART 1) 1976)
This ensures that any potentially explosive mixture that may be present
inside the system is expelled, and the mixture reduced to a concentration
well below the lower flammable limit.
It guards against the ingress of the external atmosphere into an enclosure or
room by maintaining a positive pressure above that of the external
atmosphere.
Normally air is the protective gas used provided that the oxygen content is
not more than 21%. Alternatively, an inert gas such as nitrogen may be
used.

Ex-p pressurization by continuous dilution of air removes fuel from

the enclosure.

Pressurization is used to overcome installation problems in

hazardous areas where other explosive protected techniques
would be difficult or too expensive

Type n apparatus is standard industrial equipment which in normal operation will

not produce arcs, sparks or surface temperatures high enough to cause ignition.
The apparatus has an IP rating called Ingress Protection which is similar to NEMA
enclosure ratings such as NEMA 4.

Ex-n prevents or limits electrical apparatus

sparking in Zone 2.

( IS : 8289 1976)

This protection method is typically only used for small transformers,

capacitors and on electrical components that have no moving parts.
The protection consists of a sealed enclosure (normally with a vent)
containing quartz sand (the origin of the q description), powder or glass
beads.

The enclosed electrical components are covered and surrounded by

the filling medium. This ensures that under normal use no arc can be
created which is able to ignite the explosive mixture inside the enclosure
and the surrounding hazardous area.
(IS : 7224-1975)

The Oil Immersion Ex-o concept has historically been used for heavy duty
switchgear, motor starters and transformers.
The standard for design and testing of Ex-o type electrical apparatus is IEC
60079-6. (IS : 7693-1975)

Ex-o immerses electrical apparatus in oil to

prevent arcs or sparks from igniting volatile
gases.

The basic principle is to immerse the electrical parts in mineral oil, which will
prevent any exposure of the arcing or sparking to the an explosive atmosphere. It
will also quench arcs and limit the temperature rise on electrical parts.
Standards for oil immersion protection, Ex-o, require that all parts capable of
producing arcs or sparks must be immersed in the oil at a depth not be than 25
mm. A method to check the oil level must be provided, e.g., by a sight glass or by
some other reliable method.
Some mineral oils used in switchgear apparatus produce acetylene and
hydrogen gas when arcing occurs. Because of the risk of fire or an explosion with
oil immersion, this application for apparatus in hazardous areas has been
generally restricted. In the Petro-Chemical industries there are very few examples
of Ex-o certified products installed in hazardous areas even though the
standards permit its use in Zones 1 and 2.

Encapsulation is a type of protection whereby parts that are capable of igniting an

explosive atmosphere, by either sparking or heating, are enclosed in a compound
is such a way that the explosive atmosphere cannot be ignited under operating or
installation conditions.
The selected compound may be any thermosetting, thermoplastic, epoxy, resin
(cold curing) or elastomeric material with or without fillers and/or additives, in their
solid state.

Ex-m encloses all ignitable

component parts in resin,
preventing
contact
with
explosive gases

Enclosures are designed to protect components mounted inside from the

outside environment. When these enclosures contain electrical equipment, the
degree of protection is critical to shield the components from moisture and dusts
that could contaminate and damage the equipment.
The North American Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have designated
numbers to describe the protection that the enclosure will render. Likewise
the IEC Standard IEC 60529 provides a means of classifying the degree of
protection from touch, dust, water and impact.
The IEC designation of the ratings is known as Ingress Protection or IP.
The IP is followed by 2 numbers with the first number providing the degree of
protection against solid objects and dust, and the second number the degree
of protection against water

FIRST NUMERAL
Protecting against solid bodies
0 - No Protection
1 - Objects equal to or greater than 50 mm
2 - Objects equal to or greater than 12.5 mm
3 - Objects equal to or greater than 2.5 mm
4 - Objects equal to or greater than 1.0 mm
5 - Dust Protected
6 - Dust-tight

SECOND NUMERAL - Protecting

against liquid
0 - No Protection
1 - Vertically Dripping Water
2 - 75 to 105-Angled Dripping Water
3 - Spraying Water
4 - Splashing Water
5 - Water Jets
6 - Heavy Seas, Powerful Water Jets
7 - Effects of Immersion
8 - Indefinite Immersion

A commonly asked question is what IP number is equivalent to NEMA. While there may be
differences in the intricacies of the testing program such as nozzle size and water velocity, following
Table provides conversion of the NEMA type numbers to IP ratings.
NEMA
Type Number
1
2
3
3R
3S
4 and 4X
5
6 and 6P
12 and 12K
13

vs.

IP Ratings
IP Designation
IP10
IP11
IP54
IP14
IP54
IP56
IP52
IP67
IP52
IP54

ZONES & EQUIPMENTS

EQUIPMENT
1

MOTORS

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

No motor shall be used a) Motors with type of

a) Motors suitabe for ZONE 1
in this area
protection 'd'
a) Motors with type of
b) Motors with type of protection 'n' & 'e'
protection 'p'
However all normally sparking parts such
as slip-rings and brushes shall be provided
with type of protection 'd' or 'p'
Motors provided with a combination of the
above forms of protection, e.g , slip ring
motors in which the main enclosures and
windings are of type 'e' but the normaly
sparking parts of type 'd' protection

Transformers &
Capacitors

a)
All
power
and
No
Transformer
or
distribution transformer Transformers and capacitors suitable for
capacitor shall be used
and capacitors with type Zone 1 areas
in this area
'd' protection
Transformers and capacitors that are dry
b) For control
and
type or containing liquids that need not
instrumentation purpose,
have any special enclosure provided and
type of protection 'i'
the following requirements are satisfied:
a) Cable boxes shall be suitable for
specified level of current and fault clearing
time.

ZONES & EQUIPMENTS

EQUIPMENT

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2
b) Only off-circuit manually operated tap
changers shall be allowed with provision for
locking the opearting handle in position.
c) Auxiliary devices shall be intrinsically
safe or if they have sparking contacts,
these shall are
1) type 'd' or hermatically sealed
2) under adequate head of oil
3) of enclosed break type
Or alternatively , auxiliary devices may be
deleted or installed in a safe zone rendered
safe by pressurisation.
d) Any other sparking accessories or
swutch shall comply with the requirements
for Zone 1 area
Where oil-filled transformers are used,
necessary precaustions against spread of
fire shall be complied with (IS 1646 -1961)

Lighting fittings

Switchgear
Controlgear

All lighting fittings shall

be type 'd'. If necessary
a suitable guard shall be
provided by means of
No lighting fittings shall
cable in screwed steel a) Lighting fittings for Zone 1
be used.
conduits.
Provision
against
internal
displacement
necessary.
b) Lighting fittings with type of protection 'e'
or 'n'
All
switches,
circuitAll equipments where arcing may occur
No
Switchgear
& breakers,
fuses
and
under normal condition shall be type 'd'
Controlgear shall be other
equipments,
&
unless the interruption of currents ocuurs in
used.
When
not enclosure together with
a hermatically sealed chamber, and the
practicable use type 'i' the enclosed apparatus
equipment is provided with a general
protection.
shall
be
type
'd'
purpose.
protection.

Example of New ATEX markings

NEW ATEX MARKING REQUIREMENTS

Each piece of equipment must be marked with the following
minimum data:
Manufacturers name and address
CE marking
Series and model number
Year of construction
The letter G for group II for explosive areas containing gases
The letter D for areas where an explosive atmosphere can occur from
dusts.
The Ex symbol showing the equipment is explosion protected.
Other details which are required for safety of operation.

ATEX CONCEPT CATEGORIES

In the ATEX Directive (94/9/EC) categories distinguish between

safety of equipment and locations of use.
Category 1 Zone 0
Category 2 Zone 1
Category 3 Zone 2