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NATIONAL STANDARD
OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
中华人民共和国国家标准
GB/T 3836.8-2003

Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres-Part 8:

Type of Protection "n"
爆炸性气体环境用电气设备 第 8 部分：“n”型电气
设备

1 Scope

This part specifies requirements for the construction, testing and marking for Group II
electrical apparatus with type of protection "n" intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres.
This standard is applicable to non-sparking electrical apparatus and also to electrical
apparatus with parts or circuits producing arcs or sparks or having hot surfaces which, if not
protected in one of the ways specified in this standard, could be capable of igniting a
surrounding explosive gas atmosphere.
A non-incendive component is limited in use to the particular circuit for which it has
been shown to be non-ignition capable and, therefore, cannot be separately assessed as
complying with this standard.
Compliance with this standard does not imply any removal of, or lowering of, the
requirements of any other standard with which the electrical apparatus complies.
This standard supplements, and may enhance, the requirements for apparatus for normal
industrial applications.
Note 1: This standard makes several specific references to GB 3836.1. It is not intended that apparatus with type of
protection "n" should comply with GB 3836.1 in its entirety, or that the level of protection achieved by compliance with this
standard should be equal to the level of protection achieved by compliance with GB 3836.1 and any of the types of protection
listed therein.
Note 2: Anti-explosion inspection shall be carried out to electric apparatus which complies with this part by inspection
organization approved by the national quality supervision department.

2 Normative References

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this
text, constitute provisions of this part of GB 3836. For dated references, subsequent

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amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to
agreements based on this part are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the
latest edition of the normative document referred to applies.
GB 755-2000 Rotating Electrical Machines Part 1: Rating and Performance (idt IEC
60034-1:1996)
GB 1312-2002 Lampholders for Tubular Fluorescent Lamps and Starter Holders (idt IEC
60400:1999)
GB 2313-1993 Ballasts for Tubular Fluorescent Lamps (idt IEC 60920:1990)
GB/T 2423.5-1995 Environmental Testing for Electric and Electronic Products Part 2:
Test Methods Test Ea and Guidance: Shock (eqv IEC 60068-2-27)
GB/T 2900.11 Terminology of (Secondary) Cell or Battery (GB/T 2900.11-1988, eqv
IEC 60050 (486):1986)
GB/T 2900.25 Electrotechnical Terminology-Rotating Electrical Machines (GB/T
2900.25 -1994, neq IEC6 0050(411):1984)
GB/T 2900.35 Electrotechnical Terminology Electrical Apparatus for Explosive
Atmospheres (GB/T 2900.35-1998,ne qI EC6 0050(426):1990)
GB 3836.1-2000 Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres-Part 1: General
Requirements (eqv IEC 60079-0:1998)
GB 3836.4-2000 Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres-Part 4: Intrinsic
Safety (eqv IEC 60079-11:1999)
GB 3836.5 Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres‐Pressurized Electrical Apparatus
“p” (GB 3836.5-1987, neq IEC 60079-2)
GB/T 4207 Method for Determining the Comparative and the Proof Tracking Indices of
Solid Insulating Materials Under Moist Conditions (GB/T 4207-1984, neq IEC 60112:1979)
GB 4208-1993 Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosure (IP Code) (eqv IEC6
0529:1989)
GB/T 4942.1-2001 Classification of Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures of
Rotating Electrical Machines (IP Code) (idt IEC 60034-5:1991)
GB 7000.1-1996 General Safety Requirements and Tests for Luminaires (idt IEC
60598-1:1996)
GB/T 11026.1 Guide for the Determination of Thermal Endurance Properties of
Electrical Insulating Materials-Part 1: General Guidelines for Ageing Procedures and
Evaluation of Test Results (GB/T 11026.1-1989, eqv IEC 60216-1:1987)
GB/T 11026.2-2000 Guide for the Determination of Thermal Endurance Properties of
Electrical Insulating Materials-Part 2: Choice of Test Criteria (idt IEC 60216-2:1990)
GB 13140.5-1998 Connecting Devices for Low-voltage Circuits for Household and
Similar Purposes Part 2: Particular Requirements for Twist-on Connecting Devices (idt IEC
60998-2-4:1993)
GB/T 13259-1991 High-pressure Sodium Vapour Lamps (neq IEC 60662:1987),
GB 13260-1991 Typs and Dimensions of Lampholders for Tubular Fluorescent Lamps
and Starterholdors (eqv IEC 60061-2H:1987)
GB 13539.3-1999 Low-voltage Fuses-Part 3: Supplementary Requirements for Fuses for
Use by Unskilled Person (Fuses for Mainly for Household and Similar Application) (idt IEC

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60269-3:1987)
GB 14045-1993 Ballasts for Discharge Lamps (Excluding Tubular Fluorescent Lamps)
General and Safety Requirements (eqv IEC 60922)
GB/T 15143-1994 A.C Supplied Electronic Ballests for Tubuler Fluorescent Lamps.
General and Safety Requirements (idt IEC 60928)
GB/T 16927.1-1997 High Voltage Test Techniques-Part 1: General Test Requirements
(eqv IEC 60060-1:1989)
GB/T 16935.1-1997 Insulation Coordination for Equipment within Low-voltage Systems
Part 1: Principles, Requirements and Tests (idt IEC 60664-1:1997)
GB 17935-1999 Edison Screw Lampholders (idt IEC 60238:1991)
GB 17936-1999 Bayonet Lampholders (idt IEC 61184:1997)
QB 2276-1996 Glow-starters for Fluorescent Lamps (idt IEC 60155)
IEC 60034 Rotating Electrical Machines (all parts)
IEC 60081 Double-capped Fluorescent Lamps ñ Performance Specifications
IEC 60598-2 Luminaires ñ Part 2: Particular requirements
IEC 60924 D.C. Supplied Electronic Ballasts for Tubular Fluorescent Lamps-General
and Safety
IEC 60926:2000 Auxiliaries for Lamps ñ Starting Devices (Other than Glow
Starters)-General and Safety Requirements
IEC 60927:1996 Auxiliaries for Lamps ñ Starting Devices (Other than Glow
Starters)-Performance Requirements
IEC 61048:1991 Capacitors for Use in Tubular Fluorescent and Other Discharge Lamp
Circuits ñ General and Safety Requirements
IEC 61049:1991 Capacitors for Use in Tubular Fluorescent and Other Discharge Lamp
Circuits ñ Performance Requirements
ENV 50269 Assessment and Representative Testing of High-voltage Machines

3 Terms and Definitions

This part uses the definitions given in GB 3836.1 and the following definitions.
Note: Definitions marked differ from the equivalent definitions in IEC 60079-0. It is proposed that the definitions in IEC
60079-0 be modified to accommodate the slight differences needed for use with this standard, at which time definitions in this
standard will be deleted.

3.1
Cable sealing box
Auxiliary enclosure provided specifically for the purpose of sealing the insulation of a
cable (for example, oil insulated cable) where it is connected to an apparatus. The enclosure
may also provide for the connection of separate cable tails to the cable.
3.2
Cell or battery
Electrochemical system capable of storing in chemical form the electric energy received
and which can give it back by reconversion.

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3.2.1
Secondary cell
Assembly of electrodes and electrolyte which constitutes the basic unit of a secondary
battery.
Note 1: A cell consists substantially of positive and negative plates and separators, of the items needed for assembling and
connecting (plate lugs, group bars, terminal posts), of the cell container, and the electrolyte.
Note 2: A sketch illustrating various parts of a cell is given in Figure 1. This sketch is included for descriptive purposes
only and is not intended to imply any requirements or preference for a particular form of construction.

3.2.2
Secondary battery
Two or more secondary cells connected together and used as a source of electric energy.
3.2.3
Container (of a cell)
Container for the plate pack and electrolyte of a cell made of a material impervious to
attack by the electrolyte.
3.2.4
(Battery) container
Enclosure to contain the battery.
Note: The cover is a part of the battery container.

3.2.5
Battery capacity
Quantity of electricity or electric charge, which a fully charged battery can deliver under
specified conditions
Note: The SI unit for electrical charge is the coulomb (1 C = 1 As) but in practice, battery capacity is usually expressed in
ampere-hours (Ah).

3.2.6
Plate pack
Assembly of the positive and negative plate groups with separators.
3.2.7
Intercell connector
Conductor of electricity used for carrying current between cells.
3.3
Clearance
Shortest distance in air between two conductive parts.
3.4
Continuous operating temperature (COT)
Maximum temperature which ensures the stability and integrity of the material for the
expected life of the apparatus, or part, in its intended application.
3.5
Creepage distance
Shortest distance along the surface of an electrically insulating material between two
conductive parts
3.6
Duty cycle

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Repetitive variation of load in which the cycle time is too short for thermal equilibrium
to be attained in the first cycle.
3.7
Encapsulated device
Device, which may or may not contain voids, which is so constructed that it is totally
immersed in an encapsulating compound so that it is sealed to prevent entry of an external
atmosphere
Note: For the purpose of this standard an encapsulated device is considered to be a particular form of sealed device. It does
not provide equivalent protection to encapsulated apparatus constructed in accordance with IEC 60079-18.

3.8
Enclosed-break device
Device incorporating electrical contacts that are made and broken and that will withstand
an internal explosion of the flammable gas or vapour which may enter it without suffering
damage and without communicating the internal explosion to the external flammable gas or
vapour.
3.9
Energy limitation
Concept applicable to circuits in which no spark or any thermal effect produced in the
test conditions prescribed in this standard is capable of causing ignition of a given flammable
gas or vapour.
3.9.1
Energy-limited apparatus
Electrical apparatus in which the circuits and components are constructed according to
the concept of energy limitation.
3.9.2
Associated energy-limited apparatus
Electrical apparatus which contains both energy-limited and non-energy-limited circuits
and is constructed so that the non-energy-limited circuits cannot adversely affect the
energy-limited circuits. Associated energy-limited apparatus may be either:
a) Electrical apparatus which has an alternative method of protection included in this
standard for use in the appropriate explosive gas atmosphere;
b) Electrical apparatus which has an alternative type of protection listed in GB 3836.1
for use in the appropriate explosive gas atmosphere;
c) Electrical apparatus not so protected and which therefore shall not be used within an
explosive gas atmosphere, for example, a recorder which is not of itself in an explosive gas
atmosphere but is connected to a thermocouple situated within an explosive gas atmosphere
where only the recorder input circuit is energy-limited.
3.9.3
Self protected energy-limited apparatus
Apparatus which contains energy-limited sparking contacts, the circuits (including,
energy-limiting components and devices) supplying energy-limited power to these contacts,
as well as the non-energy limited source of supply to the circuit.
3.10
Ex component

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Part of electrical apparatus or a module (other than an Ex cable entry), marked with the
symbol "U", which is not intended to be used alone and requires additional consideration
when incorporated into electrical apparatus or systems for use in explosive gas atmospheres.
3.11
Hand-held apparatus
Portable apparatus intended to be supported by one hand during normal use.
3.12
Hermetically-sealed device
Device which is so constructed that the external atmosphere cannot gain access to the
interior and in which the seal is made by fusion, for example by soldering, brazing, welding
or the fusion of glass to metal.
3.13
Maximum external capacitance (Co)
Maximum capacitance in an energy-limited circuit that can be connected to the
connection facilities of the apparatus.
3.14
Maximum external inductance (Lo)
Maximum value of inductance in an energy-limited circuit that can be connected to the
connection facilities of the apparatus.
3.15
Maximum input current (Ii)
Maximum current (peak a.c. or d.c.) that can be safely applied in normal operation to the
connection facilities of an energy-limited apparatus.
3.16
Maximum input power (Pi)
Maximum power that can be safely dissipated in normal operation within an
energy-limited apparatus.
3.17
Maximum input voltage (Ui)
Maximum voltage (peak a.c. or d.c.) that can be safely applied in normal operation to the
connection facilities of an energy-limited apparatus.
3.18
Maximum internal capacitance (Ci)
Total equivalent internal capacitance of the apparatus containing energy-limited circuits
which is considered as appearing across the connection facilities of the apparatus in normal
operation.
3.19
Maximum internal inductance (Li)
Total equivalent internal inductance of the apparatus containing energy-limited circuits
which is considered as appearing at the connection facilities of the apparatus in normal
operation.
3.20
Maximum output current (Io)
Maximum current (peak a.c. or d.c.) that can be taken in normal operation, including

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