Gases & Vapours
IEC 60079 - 7 - Increased Safety "Ex e"
The importance of high quality insulation, creepage, clearances and the control of heat that may be injurious to the materials or the surrounding explosive gas atmosphere in an increased safety assembly cannot be overstressed. Load tests and other physical tests of selected samples form an important part of the examination for certification. Dynamometer and locked rotor tests of motors, load testing of luminaries and terminal boxes, to establish the temperature class of each equipment or component within the assembly are all taken into account, together with the class of insulation and the basic workmanship that shows a high regard for prevention of sparks and excessive heat. Components using other Ex techniques in conjunction with Ex e elements can be Component Certified for dual types of explosion protection. Such components may be found in luminaries, control boxes and other Zone I assemblies.
The detailed assessment and testing of products for Certification requires careful preparation by the submitter to ensure that the Testing Station has a straightforward approach to the project, with the minimum of delays in referring back to the client for further details.
For information that should be addressed prior to submission for Certification, please check through General Requirements IEC 60079-0 and check that the product can comply with the relevant clauses of: Increased Safety - Ex e IEC 60079-7.
The introduction of an international standard to cover the certification of equipment suitable for use in Zone 2 hazardous areas will shortly replace the Australian Standard that has been in service for many years. Electrical equipment and components have less stringent requirements than those for Ex e but a high quality product is required to ensure that non-sparking is maintained and heat is kept to safe levels for the environment in which the equipment is to operate. The new standard recognises that the equipment must be at a level of design that may be above that accepted for safe area applications. The assessment and testing is just as detailed as for other techniques that operate in Zone 1 or Zone 0. Low energy devices or power consuming equipment are assessed and tested to ensure compliance with the standards. Component Certification is also possible to allow for their use in different types of products.
- For more information regarding certification of equipment, please click here.
- Please click here for application form.
We will also consider test requirements to other standards or similar tests as required, please use the enquiry form.
