Hazardous Area Classificatio

Objective

Earlier Methods of gas detection

Davys Safety lamp

Definitions
Explosive (flammable) LimitsThe extreme values for the concentration of a flammable gas or
vapour in air under atmospheric conditions, which can be ignited by
an electrical arc or spark.
These limits are called the lower explosive limit (LEL) and Upper
explosive limit (UEL).
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
-concentration of flammable gas or vapour in air, below which the
gas atmosphere is not explosive.
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL)
-concentration of flammable gas or vapour in air, above which the
gas atmosphere is not explosive

Definitions

Flash PointThe flash point is the minimum temperature at which an air-gas mixture,
in normal pressure conditions can be ignited.
Ignition TemperatureThe ignition temperature of a gas or of a vapour is the minimum
temperature at which normal mixtures of gases/vapours ignite
spontaneously.

Classification

Zone 0

Zone 1

Zone 2

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Safe Zone

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Sources Of Ignition

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Temperature Class

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Lighting Fixtures

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Gas Groups

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Hazard Triangle
Hazard Triangle
As we know, for the combustion to take place it is
necessary to have a combustible material, as well as
oxygen and ignition source.
One can, therefore, eliminate
every explosion if the hazard
triangle is broken. If only one
of the three components
does not co-relate with the
other two, the danger of
ignition overcomes.

Combustible
Material

Air
Oxygen

Ignition
Source

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Methods

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Exclusion of Fuel

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Exclusion of Oxygen

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Exclusion of Ignition Source

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Enclosures

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Enclosure Explanation
Flameproof- Equipment construction is such that it can withstand an internal
explosion and provide relief of the external pressure via flame gap(s) such as the
labyrinth created by threaded fittings or machined flanges. The escaping (hot) gases
must sufficiently cool down along the escape path that by the time they reach the
outside of the enclosure not to be a source of ignition of the outside, potentially
ignitable surroundings. Use-Motors, lighting, junction boxes, electronics
Increased Safety- Intended for products in which arcs and sparks do not occur in
normal service nor under fault conditions and in which surface temperatures are
controlled below incendive values. Increased Safety is achieved by enhancing
insulation values and creepage and clearance distances above those required for
normal service, thus providing a safety factor against accidental breakdown. UseMotors, lighting, junction boxes
Oil Filled-Equipment components are completely submerged in oil. Use-Switchgear
Sand/Powder/Quartz Filled- Equipment components are completely covered with a
layer of Sand, powder or quartz. Use- electronics, telephones, chokes

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Pressurised/purge-Equipment is pressurised to a positive pressure relative to the

surrounding atmosphere with air or an inert gas, thus the surrounding ignitable
atmosphere can not come in contact with energized parts of the apparatus. The
overpressure is monitored, maintained and controlled. Use- Analysers, motors,
control boxes, computers
Intrinsically safe- Any arcs or sparks in this equipment has insufficient energy (heat)
to ignite a vapour. A 'ZenerBarrier unit may be used to assist with certification. UseInstrumentation, measurement, control
Non sparking- Similar to Exe, the designation Ex n applies to equipment which has
no arcing contacts or hot surfaces which could cause ignition.The Ex n requirements
are less stringent than for Exe, and designs are very close to that of normal electrical
apparatus . The main consideration is extra care to ensure locking of terminal
connections to avoid any risk of electric sparking or flashover .Use- Motors, lighting,
junction boxes, electronic equipment
Encapsulated- Equipment components of the equipment are usually encased in a
resin type material. Use- Electronics (no heat)

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Division & type of Enclosure

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Non sparking Motors (IS 8289)

The type (N) motors is an improved version of an normal Induction Motor
with additional requirements:
Non sparking( Vibration proof ) terminals , Adequate creepage/ clearance
Adequate clearance between stator and rotor
Adequate clearance between shaft and bearing cap
Suitable axial and radial clearance between the fan and finned portion of
the motor.
Provision against accidental reduction in clearance between cable lugs at
the cable termination.
Terminal box to withstand through faults, without shattering
Restriction of surface temperature rise to 200 degrees Celsius for
temperature class T3 during normal operation as well as starting.
Non sparking motors are not capable of igniting surrounding explosive
atmosphere and are used in Zone 2.Increased safety motors do not
produce spark or arc in normal service and are used in Zone 1.

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Flameproof Apparatus (REF IS 2148 )

EQUIPMENT SHOULD WITHSTAND ROUGH USAGE

EQUIPMENT SHALL BE ADEQUATELY STRONG TO WITHSTAND ALL REQUIRED

TESTS

THE EFFECTIVE THREADED METAL TO METAL JOINTS SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM OF

5 FULL UNINTERRUPTED ENGAGED THREADS & A MINIMUM EFFECTIVE
UNINTERRUPTED DIRECT AXIAL LENGTH OF THREADED ENGAGEMENT OF 9 mm

THERE SHALL BE NO INTENTIONAL GAP BETWEEN JOINT SURFACES

NO PACKING MATERIAL SHALL BE USED BETWEEN OPPOSED SURFACES TO FORM

A FLAMEPROOF JOINT

IF COMPRESSIBLE PACKING MATERIAL OR A GASKET IS NECESSARY TO SEAL A

JOINT ,THE PACKING SHALL BE APPLIED AS A SUPPLMENT, BUT SHALL NOT BE
INCLUDED IN THE FLAMEPROOF JOINT

ANY DISPLACEMENT, DAMAGE, INTEGRATION OR OMISSION OF THE PACKING

SHALL NOT RESULT IN THE FLAMPROOF NATURE OF THE JOINT BEING AFFECTED.

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Invertor duty motor

Variable frequency drives can cause additional heating of the motors, which must be
taken into consideration if the VFD motor is to be operated in the area classified as
hazardous. One way in which VFD cause excessive motor heating is through higher
frequency harmonic currents. These harmonic current cause an increase in the
overall current draw of the motor. These currents only serve to increase the amount of
heat generated by the motor. A VFD can cause additional heating by slowing down
the speed of the motor shaft leading to lesser air flow over the motor , decreasing the
airs ability to cool the motor. Therefore a VFD controlled motor tends to run at higher
temperature as its speed drops, So we must judiciously choose the motor for such
applications or the use of VFD may be restricted to environments where hazardous
environments are present.

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Maintenance

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Hardware

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Thanks

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