Electrical Data / Hazardous Area Classifications

Electrical Data ATEX Directive 94/9/EC

Electrical Terminology Since 1st July 2003 the ATEX
Volt (E); unit of electric pressure or electromotive force. It is Directive 94/9/EC has required EU Directive 94/9/EC from July 1, 2003 —Table 1
the potential that will produce a current of 1 ampere through equipment and protective systems
a resistance of 1 ohm.
Ampere (I); unit of electrical current (coulombs per second)
that are for use in potentially EEx d IIC T5
explosive atmospheres, to conform European Temperature
Ohm (R); unit of electrical resistance (volts/ampere) to specific safety standards. The Group class - see table 4
standard
Watts (W) and kilowatts (KW); units of electric power directive is applicable to all countries Explosion Type of Gas group -
Kilovolt-ampere (KVA); measurement of apparent within the EU. protected - protection see table 3
electric power see table 2
Kilowatt hour (Kwhr); unit of electrical energy or work Equipment Marking Type of explosive
atmosphere:
performed
Joule (J); metric unit of energy: watt per second
The following is a guide only to the 0000 II 2 G G (for gases,
vapours and
identification markings on ATEX
Equipment mist), D
  1 Kwhr = 2,655,000 ft-lb = 1.341 hp-hr = marked equipment and protective CE conformity protection (for dusts)
     3413 Btu = 3,600,000 joules. systems. marking marking Category - see table 5
Ohm law relationships (direct current) Determining the suitability of ATEX Identification number of 1 ( for Zone 0 or 20)
notified body involved in 2 ( for Zone 1 or 21)
  E = IR + W/I = √ WR marked equipment and safety sys- production control stage 3 (for Zone 2 or 22)
  W = I2R = E2/R = EI tems is the responsibility of the user. Equipment Group:
  I = E/R = W/E = √ W/R I (for mines), II (for above ground)
  R = E/I = W/I2 = E2/W
Methods of Protection—Table 2
National Electrical Code (NEC) Hazardous Area Method of Protection Marking Protection principle
Classifications Electrical equipment for gases, vapours and mists according to CENELEC
CLASS I: Areas where flammable gases or vapors may be Flameproof enclosure EEx d Contain the explosion and prevent flame propagation
present in the air in sufficient quantities to be explosive Increased safety EEx e No arcs, sparks, or hot surfaces
Nonsparking EEx n No arcs, sparks, or hot surfaces
Group A: Atmospheres containing acetylene Intrinsic safety EEx i Limit the energy of the spark and surface temperature
Group B: Atmospheres such as butadiene, ethylene oxide, Oil immersion EEx o Keep the ignition source constantly immersed in oil
propylene oxide, acrolein, or hydrogen (or gases or vapors Pressurised enclosure EEx p A protective gas contains the ignition source
equivalent in hazard to hydrogen, such as manufactured gas) Fine ground filling surrounds the ignition source and therefore, an arc from
Sand filling EEx q
inside of the housing cannot ignite the surrounding combustible atmosphere
Group C: Atmospheres such as cyclopropane, ethyl ether, or
ethylene (or gas or vapors of equivalent hazard)
Group D: Atmospheres such as acetone, alcohol, ammonia,
Classification of Gases and Dusts per CENELEC/IEC—Table 3
Gas Temperature class
benzene, benzol, butane, gasoline, hexane, lacquer solvent
group T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
vapors, naphtha, natural gas, propane, or gas or vapors of
I Methane — — — — —
equivalent hazard
Diesel fuel
Acetone Ethyl alcohol
CLASS II: Areas made hazardous by the presence of Methane Cyclohexane
Aircraft fuel
combustible dust IIA Fuel oil Acetaldehyde — —
Ethane n-butane
n-hexane
Group E: A tmospheres containing combustible Propane n-butyl alcohol
Heptane
1) metal dusts, regardless of resistivity IIB
Coal (lighting) gas Ethylene Ethylene glycol
Ethyl methyl ether — —
Acrylonitrile Ethylene oxide Hydrogen sulphide
2) dust of similarly hazardous characteristics having a resistivity
Ethine Carbon
less than 100 kΩ-cm IIC Hydrogen
(Acetylene)
— — —
disulfide
3) electrically conductive dusts
Group F: A tmospheres containing combustible Temperature Classification—Table 4
1) carbon black, charcoal, or coke dusts having more CENELEC/IEC Max surface Example equipment marking:
Comments
(Group II) Class temperature
than 8% total volatile material
T1 450°C (842°F) II 2 G EEx d IIC T5
2) d usts so sensitized that they present an explosion hazard, T2 300°C (572°F) Temperature relates to
all parts of equipment that
and dusts having a resistivity greater than 100 Ω-cm but T3 200°C (392°F)
can come into contact with
ATEX Category 2 (gas) equipment
less than or equal to 1 x 108 Ω-cm T4 135°C (275°F) designated for installation in Zone 1.
the potentially explosive Protection by flameproof enclosure,
T5 100°C (212°F) atmosphere
Group G: Atmospheres containing combustible T6 85°C (185°F) suitable for hydrogen atmosphere
with maximum equipment surface
1) d ust having resistivity equal to or greater than 100 kΩ-cm Maximum surface Assessment of equipment
temperature of 100ºC.
Tx temperature temperature class is the
2) electrically nonconductive dusts not defined responsibility of the user
CLASS III: Areas made hazardous by the presence of easily
ignitable fibers or dust, but which are not likely to be suspended Equipment Groups I and II: Categories M1, M2, 1, 2, and 3—Table 5
in the air in sufficient quantities to ignite
Group I Mines: methane and/or Above ground: potentially explosive atmospheres
Group II
Division 1: Atmospheres where hazardous concentrations combustible dusts or gas/air or dust/air mixtures, mist or vapours
exist continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal Category M Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
operating conditions G (Gas) D (Dust) G (Gas) D (Dust) G (Gas) D (Dust)
1 2
(Zone 0) (Zone 20) (Zone 1) (Zone 21) (Zone 2) (Zone 22)
Division 2: Atmospheres where hazardous concentrations exist Equipment Equipment which
only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of equipment For equipment which For equipment which
which guar- guarantees a For equipment
guarantees a very guarantees a standard
Explosion-proof: Enclosures or housings are designed to antees a very very high which guarantees a
high degree of safety. degree of safety. Intended
high degree degree of safety. high degree of safety.
withstand internal explosions and prevent the spread of fire to of safety. Switching off
Intended for cases
Intended for cases
for cases where a
the outside. where potentially potentially explosive
Operation possible if where a potentially
explosive atmospheres atmosphere can be
Intrinsically safe: Systems in which electrical energy guaranteed potentially explosive atmosphere
are often or constantly expected only rarely, and
in case of explosive atmo- is to be expected.
in the circuits is not present at levels that would ignite a errors. sphere occurs.
to be expected. then, only for a short time.
flammable mixture of a gas and air.
Very high High protection Very high High protection
Normal
protection level level protection level level

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