TECHNIQUES USED TO REDUCE EXPLOSION HAZARDS

In general, an explosion is an exothermic chemical reaction between two components. A well-

known example is the reaction between the oxygen content of the atmospheric air and a
combustible substance like petrol, LPG, Natural gas etc. The predisposing factors to fire or
explosion are (1) the presence of a flammable liquid, vapor, gas, dust, or fiber in an ignitable
concentration, (2) the presence of a source of ignition, and (3) contact ofthe source with ignitable
material. An explosion can start only with an ignition source and a volume or mass ratio of the
two components in such a manner that the reaction zone is sustained by itself.
Extensive use of electrical and electronic control systems, computers, sensors, and analyzers in
process
control continues to focus attention on reducing the probability of fire or explosion due to
electric
instrument failure. The most obvious way to eliminate the possibility of ignition is to
remove the source to a location where there is no combustible material. Another method is to
apply the principle of intrinsic safety. Equipment and wiring that are intrinsically safe are
incapable, under normal or abnormal conditions, of igniting a specifically hazardous atmosphere
mixture. For practical purposes there is no source of ignition. Methods based on allowingignition
to occur force combustion under well-controlled conditions so that no significant damage results.
Figure 1 summarizes the techniques used to reduce explosion hazards.

Figure:1 : Techniques used to reduce explosion hazards.

In the United States the governing standard, adopted as law in most jurisdictions, is the National
Electrical Code. The requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, are similar in intent
and philosophy the NEC of USA . However \,, but there are some differences exists. Like Now a
days Most countries national regulations have been derived from IEC. India as a member of IEC
also align its standard with the existing IEC standards. IEC standards permit the use of
electrical apparatus in locations that are hazardous because of possible presence of flammable
gases or vapors in accordance with below Table ( Figure:2)

Figure:2 Use of Protection Techniques-IEC Nomenclature

The details of the above mentioned Types of Protection are describein brief below

Ex d
Type of Protection d is flameproof construction, similar in principle and practice to explosion
proof construction. Many types of electrical equipment release enough energy during normal
operation or after probable and unpreventable faults to ignite a combustible mixture. One way to
operate such equipment safely in a hazardous location is to provide an enclosure so constructed
that, if ignition doesoccur, the flame cannot propagate outside the enclosure and spread to the
surrounding atmosphere. For an enclosure to perform this function it must contain the internal
explosion without damage. Escaping gases must not ignite a flammable mixture surrounding the
enclosure. Explosion proof enclosures are not necessarily vapor-tight. Gas or vapor will enter the
enclosure and be ignited if there is an ignition source. To meet functional requirements,
explosion proof housings have usually beendistinguished by heavy-wall cast construction for
strength, by threaded covers, or by bolted, close-fitting flanges to provide only long narrow gaps
through which hot gases can escape.
Ex e
Type of Protection e is increased safety construction. This construction is used for motors,
generators, transformers, terminal boxes, and wiring. The principle of this technique is to ensure
that mechanical construction, insulation systems, and connection facilities are constrained to
particularly robust standards so that failure in a way that will make the apparatus an ignition
source is extremely unlikely. In rotating machinery particular attention is paid to coordinating
overcurrent and over temperature protection systems with the construction of the apparatus to
avoid a winding's reaching the ignition temperature of the gas or vapor to which it is exposed.
Ex i
Type of Protection i is intrinsic safety. Application of the principle of intrinsic safety to electrical
equipment and wiring for use in hazardous locations represents an approach to safety that differs
significantly from the methods. The NEC defines an intrinsically safe circuit as one in which any
spark or thermal effect is incapable of causing ignition of a mixture of flammable or combustible
material in air under prescribed test conditions, for example, those in ANS/UL913.Although the
term “intrinsically safe apparatus” is common, the term “intrinsically safe” properly applies to
systems or to “equipment and wiring,” not to devices. Requirements of the IEC and CENELEC
standards for ia intrinsic safety are similar to each other and to the requirements now in effect in
the United States. There are some differences resulting from the fact that there is yet no
equivalent to ib intrinsic safety for use in Zone 1 in North America. Other differences arise from
differences of opinion between European and American experts on the safety factors needed to
ensure safety. The principle difference between ia intrinsic safety and ib intrinsic safety is that
safety is judged after two faults in ia intrinsic safety and after one fault in ib intrinsic safety. EN
50154, “Electrical Installations in potentially Explosive Gas Atmospheres (other than mines),” is
a standard for application in the countries recognizing CENELEC standards. It includes
intrinsically safe systems, category ia, in accordance with EN 50039 as acceptable for
installation in Zone 0, and category ib systems for Zone 1.

Ex m
Type of Protection m is encapsulation for Zone 1. The generic technique is similar to
encapsulation used in conjunction with intrinsic safety, but much more stringent controls are
imposed because encapsulated circuits and devices may be inherently ignition-capable in normal
operation. Oil-immersed power equipment has been widely used worldwide. Sand filled
apparatus has been used in Europe, especially in France. Oil immersion in instrument systems is
not attractive. Accessibility for calibration and maintenance is limited and inconvenient.
Article 501-3(b)(2) of the NEC states that general-purpose enclosures may be used in Division
2locations if make-and-break contacts are sealed hermetically against the entrance of gases or
vapors. The NEC provides no definition of a satisfactory hermetic seal, however. Seals obtained
by fusion, welding, or soldering and, in some instances, plastic encapsulation are widely
accepted. In reality, the leak rate of soldered or welded seals is lower than that required for
protection against explosion in a Division 2 location.

Ex s
Type of Protection n has only the status of an IEC Report, which does not have the authority of a
standard. At present there is no equivalent CENELEC document. Apparatus covered by EX n
includes no sparking industrial apparatus, sealed components, non-incendive components,
enclosed break components, nonincendive circuits, and restricted breathing. IEC report is
patterned after British Standard BS 4683, Part 3:1972, now revised as BS 6941:1988. Although
most requirements are similar to those of ISA S12.12, there are significant differences. The most
significant difference for instrumentation and other low power equipment is the treatment in BS
6941 of creepage and clearances and terminations. Apparatus that conforms to BS 6941 is called
Type N apparatus.

Ex p
Type of Protection p is pressurization, similar in principle to pressurization as standardized in
NFPA 496 (see Chapter 6). In North America pressurization has been considered suitable for use
in a Division 1 location, which includes locations that would be classified Zone 0. The European
view has been that only ia intrinsic safety is suitable for Zone 0, although dual protection, such
as nonsparking apparatus in an explosionproof enclosure is acceptable to many experts. Type ia
intrinsic safety requires three faults before it can be an ignition source. The equivalent
pressurization system would have no sparking equipment inside the enclosure and an interlock
between pressurization failure and the electrical supply to the enclosed equipment. NFPA 496
defines three types of pressurized installation:
Type Z. Pressurization to reduce the classification within an enclosure from Division 2 to
nonhazardous
Type Y. Pressurization to reduce the classification in an enclosure from Division 1 to Division 2
Type X. Pressurization to reduce the classification within an enclosure from Division 1 to
nonhazardous

Ex s
Ex s does not actually refer to a type of protection. It is a symbol indicating that apparatus is
constructed in a fashion that is considered safe but does not conform to a recognized standard. At
one time this symbol was used to indicate use of more than one protection technique, but in
recent years the practice has been to mark such apparatus with the symbols of all the types of
protection which have been incorporated in it (e.g., EEx d ia IIC T5). Figure 2 contains no
reference to Type of Protection o, oil immersion. This protection technique is similar to oil
immersion as standardized in the United States, but it is not included in Figure 2 because, in
most countries, as in the United States, oil immersion is no longer frequently used, though IEC
and most countries have standardized requirements. Likewise, Type of Protection q, sand filling,
is not listed because it is not a common technique. This technique uses sand to enclose
equipment so that any incipient explosion is quenched and prevented from spreading. Sand
filling is sometimes used as explosion protection for line voltage circuitry and components in
portable apparatus where flame proofing would make the apparatus too heavy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. ANSI/NFPA 70, “National Electrical Code (NEC),” Art. 500–505.
2. API RP 500A, “Classification of Areas for Electrical Installations in Petroleum
Refineries,” American Petroleum Institute.
3. Explosive atmospheres- IEC 60079-part 0 to part 7
4. ISA12, Electrical Equipment for Hazardous Locations