HAZARDOUS ZONES

Hazardous zones are area in which explosive or flammable gases or

vapours, combustible dist, or ignitable fibers are present or likely to
become present. Such materials can ignite a result of electrical causes
only if the following conditions exist.
1. The proportion of the flammable substance to oxygen in the
air must permit ignition. This mixture must be present in a large enough
quantity to provide an ignitable, atmosphere in the vicinity of electrical
equipment.
2. An electric arc a flame escaping from an ignited substance in
an enclosure, heat from an electric heater must be present at a
temperature equal to or greater than the flash point of the flammable
mixture.
3. Standard electrical apparatus considered safe for ordinary
applications, should not be installed in hazardous zones. Spark and
electric arcs originally in such fittings have lead to costly fires and
explosions.
Gases, vapours and mists
For gases, vapours and mists the zone classifications are:
Zone 0 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting
of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long
periods or frequently.
Zone 1 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting
of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation
occasionally.
Zone 2 A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting
of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation
but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
Hazardous area zones and equipment categories
Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the
basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an
explosive atmosphere.
Following are the appropriate apparatus in the three zones
Types of protection 7 categories:-
1.Flame proof (d).
2.Increased safety(e)
3.Non-sparking (n)
4.Pressured equipment(p)
5.Intrinsically safe(i)
6.Oil- immerged(o)
Dusts
For dusts the zone classifications are:
Zone 20 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present
continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
Zone 21 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in
normal operation occasionally.
Zone 22 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the
form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur
in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short
period only.
Criteria for classifying hazardous zones:
Hazardous locations are classified based on the following factors
a) Properties of the flammable vapours, liquids or
gases,combustible dust or fibers that may be present.
b) Prevailing wird.(predominant)
c) Site topography.
d) Proximate to other equipments.
e) Climate factors.
f) Quantity of hazardous media to be released.
g) Absence of walls enclosures and other barriers.
h) Frequency and type of maintenance work carried out.
i) Slings, shape and construction features of the
building.
Flame Proof d:
It is recognized explosion may occur inside the
enclosure, but the enclosure is sufficiently strong to withstand
an interval and is so constructed that flame passing from
inside to the outside is cooled. This is achieved by controlling
the length of the possible flame paths.
Increased safety e
The increased safety concepts of German origin. This
is used to motors used both in coal mining and chemical /
petro chemical industries. Increasing safety means of
additional mechanical, electrical and thermal protection
methods.
Increased security against temperature, arcs and
sparks during normal service of life of the machine .
The cost of type e motor is less than flame proof motor
Non- sparking N
The N motors are similar in basic concept to type e motors, but with
some relaxation in requirement.
Mechanical clearances are similar to type e but clearance, temperature
are less than e type. High quality installation system is required for motor
winding. Frame sizes of type N motors are generally the same as for
general purpose motors.
Pressured equipment p
Pressurisation is, the dangerous parts are enclosed in housing purged
with fresh air or inert gas. The gas is then prevented reentering, the
enclosures by maintaining its internal pressure slightly above atmosphere.
The normal safety devices are
a) Pressure measuring device:- These devices should be provided for the
operation alarm or trip devices.
Safe Starting Devices:- These devices should be provided to ensure that
no apparatus with in the enclosure is energized, until the initial
atmosphere with in the casing has been completely displaced.
Intrinsically Safe i
`An equipment or circuit is Intrinsically safe when any spark
or thermal effect produced normally incapable under
prescribed test conditions of causing ignition of a gas or
vapour.
a) Incapable of a gas ignition in normal operation with
a single fault or combination of fault,
b) with only single fault.
The principle of intrinsic safety is at present applicable to
electrical apparatus and circuit in which the output or
consumption of energy is small and in which suitable means
may be used to control to energy that may be liberated in the
sparks when the circuit is interrupted.
1 Oil immerged type O
In this type of electrical apparatus, all parts on which arcs
may occur in normal service are immersed in oil to prevent
ignition of an explosive gas mixture.
This type of protection is commonly used in the case of
transformer, switch gear and control gears. While designing
the oil immersed electrical apparatus, case is taken that the
temperature rise and the temperature of the oil at the surface
as well as the temperature of any part of the enclosure.
1.Sand Filled Type S
Electrical apparatus all live parts filled with mass of powder
material. If an arc occurs with in the enclosures this arc will
not be liable to ignite the outer explosive atmosphere.
The following material should be 100% noncombustible and should
meet requirements for its electrical strength, degree of purity and
processing. Quartz is used as a common filling material.
Hazardous Location Classifications
Hazardous Locations
Hazardous locations are classified depending on the
properties of the flammable vapors, liquids, or gases;
combustible dusts; or fibers that may be present.
Consider each room, section, or area of the facility
separately.
Class I locations are those in which flammable gases
or vapors are present or likely to become present.
Class II applies to locations where combustible dusts
are likely to be present.
Class III locations are those in which easily ignitable
flyings such as textile fibers are present but not likely
to be in suspensions in the air in sufficient
concentrations to produce an easily ignitable
atmosphere.
 In a Division 1 location, an ignitable atmosphere
could occur at any time in the course of normal
operations. Such an area represents a worst-case
condition. One of the two requirements for ignition is
likely to be present at any time, awaiting only a spark
to ignite the flammable substance.
In a Division 2 location, no ignitable atmosphere
exists under normal operating conditions. However, an
equipment malfunction, operator error, or other
abnormal circumstance might create a hazardous
environment.
Class I, Division 1 hazardous location.
Class II hazardous
locations.
Class III hazardous locations.
Intrinsically safe apparatus
This is apparatus which contains only intrinsically safe circuits
by definition. Voltage and current in the intrinsically safe circuit
are so small that no ignition can be caused by a short circuit,
circuit break or accidental earthing, i.e. the ignition energy
level always remains below the minimum required for
combustion. In contrast to the RELATED electrical apparatus,
intrinsically safe apparatus is suitable for operation
immediately in the explosive area.
Temperature Classification
Gas-air mixtures can be ignited not only by a spark but also by
contact with hot surfaces. Consequently all electrical equipment
used in hazardous atmospheres must be classified According
to its maximum surface temperature. For intrinsically safe
circuits the maximum surface temperature is calculated or
measured, including the possibility of faults occurring, in just
the same way as the electrical spark energy requirements are
derived. All temperature classifications, unless otherwise
specified, are assessed with reference to a maximum ambient
temperature of 400C. If equipment is used in a temperature
higher than this, then its temperature classification should be
reassessed.
Methods Of Protection Of Electrical Equipment For Use In
Hazardous Areas
Some of the important types of protection used for electrical
equipment in hazardous areas are as follows:
a) Flameproof - Type d
b) Increased safety - Type e
c) Non- sparking - Type N
d) Pressurised - Type P
e) Intrinsically Safe - Type i
f) Oil-immersed - Type o
g) Sand filled - Type s