Europe / IEC

In Europe and IEC countries, hazardous areas are classified by Zones, Protection Types, Groups and Temperature Classes.

Industrial plants are zoned according to the likelihood of a potentially explosive atmosphere being present

Zone 0 (gases)
Zone 20 (dusts)
Flammable material present continuously or for long periods (typically 1000 hours or more per year)
Zone 1 (gases)
Zone 21 (dusts)
Flammable material present in normal operation (typically between 10 and 1000 hours per year)
Zone 2 (gases)
Zone 22 (dusts)
Flammable material present in abnormal conditions only (typically less than 10 hours per year)

Protection Methods & Standards for Group II Electrical Apparatus for gas atmospheres

Protection Method Code

Ex
ATEX
CAT
EN / IEC Permitted Zone Typical Applications/Comments
Zone 0 Zone 1 Zone 2
General Requirements     60079-0       Basic electrical & mechanical requirements
Oil Immersion o 2 60079-6   Yes Yes Transformers, starting resistors
Pressurized p 2 60079-2   Yes Yes Switchgear and control cabinets, analyzers, large motors
Powder filled q 2 60079-5   Yes Yes Transformers, capacitors, heating conductor terminals
Flameproof d 2 60079-1   Yes Yes Switchgear and controlgear, indicating equipment, transformers, light fittings, motors, heating equipment
Increased safety e 2 60079-7   Yes Yes Terminal & connection boxes
Intrinsic safety ia ia 1 60079-11 Yes Yes Yes Safe with 2 faults. Level measurement
Intrinsic safety ib ib 2 60079-11   Yes Yes Safe with 1 fault. Instrumentation and communication technology, sensors, actuators
Encapsulated m 2 60079-18   Yes Yes Solenoid valves. low power switchgear, power supplies
Type of protection 'n' n 3 60079-15     Yes Type of protection includes several methods of ignition protection

Explosion Groups

Typical gas hazard
IEC 60079-0
EUROPEAN EN 60079-0
Acetylene, Hydrogen IIC
Ethylene IIB
Propane IIA

Apparatus temperature classification (T class)

Maximum surface temperature IEC/EUROPEAN Temperature class
450°C T1
300°C T2
200°C T3
135°C T4
100°C T5
85°C T6

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