Selecting Equipment for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

Equipment to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres must be certified according to Regulation 2014/34/EU, meaning "equipment designed so as not to cause an explosion" in the atmosphere. The selection of such explosion-proof equipment must be made in accordance with EN 60079-14 standard.

Basic Criteria in Explosion-Proof Equipment Selection

ATEX Regulation 1999/92/EC was published in Turkey as Official Gazette 28633, 30.04.2013, titled "Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Dangers of Explosive Atmospheres." Under Article 9 of the relevant regulation, classification of areas that may form explosive atmospheres must be made in accordance with EN 60079-10-1 and EN 60079-10-2 standards. Area classification for gas explosive atmosphere is performed as Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2, while for dust explosive atmosphere it is classified as Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22. The protection level of equipment to be used in these areas must be appropriate to the Zone definition. Gases, vapors or dusts containing explosive atmospheres have groups based on their characteristics. The explosion-proof equipment to be used must be selected according to the group of explosive material in the surrounding area. The temperature class of explosion-proof equipment must be selected in accordance with the temperature class or minimum ignition temperature of gas or vapor containing an explosive atmosphere. Information on the temperature class and minimum ignition temperature of explosive gases or vapors is provided in EN ISO 80079-20-1 standard. The temperature class of explosion-proof equipment must be selected in accordance with the minimum ignition temperature of dust cloud or dust layer containing an explosive atmosphere. Test methods for minimum ignition temperature of explosive dusts are provided in EN ISO 80079-20-2 standard.

Examples of Explosion-Proof Equipment Selection

For explosion-proof equipment to be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere containing hydrogen, selection must be made according to IIB+H2 or IIC gas group and T1-T6 temperature class. Examples of explosion-proof equipment markings that can be used for Zone 1 area classification are given below: For explosion-proof equipment to be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere containing aluminum dust, selection must be made according to IIIC dust group and <T450°C. Examples of explosion-proof equipment markings that can be used for Zone 21 area classification are given below: After considering the above criteria when selecting explosion-proof equipment, ATEX Certificate, EU Declaration of Conformity and Instructions for Use must be requested.   References • 2014/34/EU ATEX DIRECTIVE • 1999/92/EC ATEX DIRECTIVE • Official Gazette 28633, 30.04.2013 – "Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Dangers of Explosive Atmospheres" • EN 60079-10-1:2021 – Explosive Atmospheres – Part 10-1: Classification of Areas – Explosive Gas Atmospheres • EN 60079-10-2:2015 – Explosive Atmospheres – Part 10-2: Classification of Areas – Explosive Dust Atmospheres • EN 60079-14:2014 – Electrical Equipment – For Use in Explosive Atmospheres – Part 14: Design, Selection and Installation of Electrical Installations • EN ISO/IEC 80079-20-1:2019 – Explosive Atmospheres – Part 20-1: Material Properties for Gas and Vapor Classification – Test Methods and Data • EN ISO/IEC 80079-20-2:2016 – Explosive Atmospheres – Part 20-2: Material Properties – Test Methods for Flammable Dusts • SCA Belgelendirme ve Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Ltd. Şti., which has initiated work on the regulations "2014/34/EU Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres" and "ATEX 153 Protection of Employees from the Dangers of Explosive Atmospheres," has been accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Board (TÜRKAK) under EN 17065 standard with file number AB-0123-U and authorized by the Ministry of Industry and Technology with reference number NB 2336, thereby obtaining the title of "Accredited and Approved Body."   Emre Kocuklu Electronics and Telecommunications Engineer Technical Expert SCA Belgelendirme ve Özel Eğt. Hiz. Ltd. Şti.