03/2025

0403.24 LED 20
 GUIDE FOR EXPLOSION PROTECTION

Explosive atmospheres occur when flammable gases, mist,

vapors or dust are mixed with air. This creates a risk of
explosion. The amount of a substance needed to create an
explosive atmosphere depends on the substance in question.
The area where this possibility exists is defined as a
potentially explosive atmosphere.
These atmospheres can be found throughout industries, from
chemical, pharmaceutical, food, to power, and wood
processing. The areas may also be known as “hazardous
areas” or “hazardous locations.”
PLFM LED
 What is the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU?

ATEX directive -equipment and protective systems intended

for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The ATEX directive 2014/34/EU is a European Directive and
falls withing the scope of CE Marking. It applies to
mechanical and electrical equipment to be used in potentially
explosive atmospheres.
If flammable materials exist in working environment, the
owner of the facility is obliged by law to conduct explosion
risk assessment and document all related findings in
appropriate and prescribed form.
PLFS-N 100 LED
 Explosive atmosphere

Explosive atmospheres contain a mixture of air and

combustible gases, vapours, mists or dust in atmospheric
conditions in which after ignition the combustion process
spreads to the entire unburned mixture.
An explosion can only occur when three (five with dust)
factors are present at the same time;
RLF 320 LED
 INTEGRATED EXPLOSION PROTECTION

PRIMARY The principle of integrated

Preventing the formation of an
explosive atmosphere explosion protection requires
that all explosion protection
SECONDARY
Avoidance of the
measures be performed in a
ignition of an explosive fixed order, with a distinction
atmosphere
between primary, secondary
TERTIARY and tertiary (constructional)
Mitigation of the effects
of an explosion to protection measures.
an acceptable extent
PSF LED
CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS AREAS
(defined by IEC/EN 60079-10)
FLXL LED
 ZONES

Hazardous areas are classified into zones to facilitate the

selection of appropriate electrical apparatus as well as the
design of suitable electrical installations. Zone classification
reflects the likelihood of the occurrence of an explosive
atmosphere.

The equipment used in the defined hazardous zone must

meet the requirements of the respectively assigned
equipment
category or equipment protection level.
SIF LED
 ZONES / gas

Zone 0
An area in which an explosive atmosphere consist of a mixture of air with flammable
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously, for long periods
or frequently.

Zone 1
An area in which an explosive atmosphere consist of a mixture of air with flammable
substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation
occasionally.

Zone 2
An area in which an explosive atmosphere consist of a mixture of air with flammable
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.
SIF 60 LED
 ZONES / dust

Zone 20
An area in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust
in air is present continuously, for long periods or frequently.

Zone 21
An area in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust
in air is likely to occur occasionally in normal operation.

Zone 22
An area 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 occurs, it will persist for a short
period only.
FLXE 118 LED
 Categories / Protection levels / Zones

AREAS CATEGORIES EPL ZONES EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE

I M1 Ma >1,5% CH4
/
mining M2 Mb <1,5% CH4

II 1G, 1D Ga, Da 0, 20 Continuously, long term ог fre-

other than 2G, 2D Gb, Db 1, 21 Likely to occur

mines
3G, 3D Gc, Dc 2, 22 Not likely to occur, short period
RK 01
 Temperature classes

450C
Maximum Surface
Temperature

300C

200C

135C

100C

85C

Temp. Class T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
SKX SW
 Gas Groups

I methane
Etileter
Ammonium ethyl benzine
acetilaldehid
ethane n-butanol kerosene
IIA benzaldehyde -
propane n-butyl n-hexane
dibutileter
Benzene alcohol diesel fuel
diheksileter
hydrogen etileter
IIB LPG mix ethylene -
sulphide dietileter

IIC hydrogen acetylene - - carbon

Ex terminal boxes SKX GRP
 Dust Groups

Dust Groups
IIIA Combustible flyings
IIIB Non-conductive dust
IIIC Conductive dust
Ex terminal boxes SKX AISI 316L
 Dust

Flash point [C] Minimum ignition

Lower Explosion
Dust energy (cloud)
layer cloud Limit (cloud)
[mJ]
Cellulose 270 480 80 55
Sugar 400 370 30 45
Starch 380 400 25 25
Wheat 220 500 60 65
Sawdust 260 470 40 35
Aluminum powder 490-700 550-800 15-160 40-140
Zinc 540 690 960 460
Asphalt 550 510 40 35
Ex busbar boxes
 EQUIPMENT PROTECTION LEVELS (EPL)
Different safety requirements are demanded of the equipment
used depending on the likelihood of the occurrence of an
explosive atmosphere. The equipment protection level is
matched to the hazard potential in the different zones.
In Europe explosion-protected equipment is classified into
categories by EU Directive 2014/34 (ATEX). Equipment
should be designed with explosion protection measures of
varying degrees according to its category or equipment
protection level.
Three categories are envisaged for equipment in hazardous
areas.
High voltage junction box 6.3kV
 EQUIPMENT PROTECTION LEVELS (EPL) 1/3

An apparatus for installation in a coal mine with possible presence of firedamp, with a
level of protection “very high”, which ensures a sufficient safety on the fact that it is
Ma not able to become a source of ignition during normal operation, during planned or
malfunctions when subject to rare malfunctions even in the case where it is left
electrically powered in the presence of a gas leak.

An apparatus for installation in a coal mine with possible presence of firedamp, with a
security level “high”, which ensures a sufficient safety on the fact that it is not able to
Mb become a source of ignition during normal operation or during malfunctions envisaged
in connection with interval of time that elapses between when there is a release of
gas and when the equipment is, as a result of this, interrupted the power supply.
Ex control units GRP
 EQUIPMENT PROTECTION LEVELS (EPL) 2/3

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of gas, with a
Ga level of protection “very high”, which is not a source of ignition during normal

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of gas, with a
Gb security level “high”, which is not a source of ignition during normal operation or

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of gas, with a
level of protection “increased”, which is not a source of ignition during normal
Gc operation and which presents some additional protective measures to ensure that it
remains a source of ignition is not activated in the event of expected events regularly
(for example, to the failure of a lamp).
Ex control units AISI 316L
 EQUIPMENT PROTECTION LEVELS (EPL) 3/3

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of combustible

dust, which presents a protection level “very high”, which does not constitute a source
Da of ignition in normal operation, during expected malfunction, or when subject to rare
malfunctions.

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of combustible

Db dust, which presents a security level “high”, which does not constitute a source of
ignition in normal operation or when subject to possible failures.

An apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres for the presence of dust, with a
level of protection “increased”, which does not constitute a source of ignition during
Dc normal operation and which may have additional protections to ensure that it remains
a source of ignition inactive in the case of expected events regularly (for example the
failure of a lamp).
Safety switch R3003 / 100A
 Types of Ex protection
EN/IEC 60079-0 - General Requirements 1/2
Type of protection Concept Symbol Category EPL
Flameproof encl.
EN/IEC 60079-1 da, db, dc 1G, 2G, 3G, M2 Ga, Gb, Gc, Mb

Increased safety eb, ec 2G, 3G, M2 Gb, Gc, Mb

EN/IEC 60079-7

Pressurised encl. pxb, pyb, pzb M2, 2G, 3G Mb, Gb, Gc, Db, Dc
EN/IEC 60079-2 2D, 3D

Intrinsic safety ia, ib, ic M1, M2, 1G, 2G, 3G Ma, Mb, Ga, Gb, Gc
EN/IEC 60079-11 1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc

Type of protection “n” nA, nC, nR 3G Gc

EN/IEC 60079-15

Powder filling q M2, 2G, 3G Mb, Gb, Gc

EN/IEC 60079-5
Socket-outlet boxes
 Types of Ex protection
EN/IEC 60079-0 - General Requirements 2/2

Type of protection Concept Symbol Category EPL

Liquid immersion ob, oc M2, 2G, 3G Mb, Gb, Gc
EN/IEC 60079-6

Encapsulation ma, mb, mc M1, M2, 1G, 2G, 3G Ma, Mb, Ga, Gb,Gc
EN/IEC 60079-18 1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc
Protection by
Encl. ta, tb, tc 1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc
EN/IEC 60079-31
Optical radiation op is, op pr 1G, 2G, 3G Ga, Gb, Gc,
EN/IEC 60079-28 1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc
Grounding device GGCD
 Type of protection for non-electrical equipment
EN 13463-1 / IEC 80079-36
Type of protection Concept Symbol Category EPL

Flow restricting
fr 3G, 3D /
EN 13463-2

Flameproof
d M2, 2G /
EN 13463-3

Constructional
M2, 1G, 2G, 3G Mb, Ga, Gb, Gc
safety EN 13463-5 c
1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc
prIEC 80079-37
Control of ignition
sources M2, 1G, 2G, 3G Mb, Ga, Gb, Gc
b
EN 13463-6 1D, 2D, 3D Da, Db, Dc
prIEC 80079-37

Pressurized M2, 2G, 2D

p /
EN/IEC 60079-2 3G, 3D
Distribution cabinets R3002-R3006
Degrees of Protection Provided By Enclosure
According to EN 60529 AND IEC 60529
Plugs and sockets
Typical Electrical Equipment Marking
According to 2014/34/EU
Signal LED tower
 Typical Electrical Equipment Marking
According to 2014/34/EU

Description
1 Manufacturer’s name and address
2 Product identification
3 Technical data
1
4 Indication of the Equipment Category
2 3
Standard ambient temperature
5 5
(-20C ÷ +40C)

4 6 Marking of explosion protection

6
7 Notified body, Conformity
7 symbol , EU symbol
8
Certificate number and product
8
number