ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HAZARDOUS AREAS

Places where explosive atmospheres may occur will be classified into zones. The classification is
based on the nature, the frequency and the duration of such an atmosphere. The definition of zones
and divisions is shown in the following table.

G A S - E X - A R E A S

II 2

Legal marking

explosion protected

type of equipment,
level of protection

explosive gas atmosphere

equipment group
I mining areas

equipment category
M1 very high level of protection
M2 high level of protection
11 very high level of protection
2 high level of protection
3 normal level of protection

gas, vapor, mist

II other areas

characteristics (exemplary)

basis for equipment selection:

zone classification (users responsibility)
Zone

IEC/EN 60079-...

Technical marking

1 equipment for use in the hazardous area

equipment category
gas Ex area (ATEX)

A place in which an explosive atmosphere as a mixture of air and

flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist

is present continuously or for long periods or frequently

is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally

is not likely to occur in normal operation but if so for a short period only

Ex e
Ex protection
Ex explosion protection

EPL for gas Ex areas

(IEC/EN 60079-...)

equipment group
I mining applications

d flameproof enclosure
e increased safety

explosion protected

(1) appliances for use in the safe area

Group

Category

1/2 equipment for mounting in partition in-between two zones

Addition

(depending on gap width,

ignition energy or electrostatics)

ia
ib intrinsic safety
ic

IIA lowest requirements

IIB average requirements
IIC highest requirements

ma
mb encapsulation
mc

II

basis for equipment selection:

zone classification (users responsibility)

II

user: dust Ex area

II

Zone

EPL

Ga

Gb

Gc

temperature class
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6

0
1
2

20
21
22

< 450C
< 300C
< 200C
< 135C
< 100C
< 85C

1
1
2

Fibers (Class III)

1
1
2

1
1
2

explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods or frequently

explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally
explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but if for a short period only

II 2

Zone

intended use

type of equipment,
level of protection

explosive dust atmosphere

equipment group
I m
mining areas

equipment category
M1 very high
h leve
level of protection
M2 high
h lev
level of protection
11 very high level of protection
2 high level of protection
3 normal level of protection

dust

protection systems for installation in the hazardous area normally without category

equipment category
dust Ex area
(ATEX)

A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of

combustable dust in air

20

is present continuously or for long periods or frequently

21

is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally

22

is not likely to occur in normal operation but if so for a short period only

IIC T6 Gb

type of protection

Gas (Class I) Dust (Class II)

II other areas

Zone

user: gas Ex area

Gas Dust

Definition

D U S T - E X - A R E A S

intended use

Division

EPL for dust

Ex areas
(IEC/EN 60079-...)

Zone

Group

Category

Addition

20

II

21

II

22

II

Zone

EPL

20

Da

21

Db

22

Dc

Comparison of the equipment group

between ATEX and IEC/EN 60079-...
ATEX

IEC/EN 600079-...

II...D

IIIA, IIIB, IIIC

Ex tb IIIC T80 Db

equipment protection level

Ex protection

Ga very high level of protection

Gb high level of protection
Gc increased level of protection

type of protection

Ex explosion protection

equipment group

temperature class

equipment protection level

IIIA combustible flyings

IIIB non-conductive dust
IIIC conductive dust

actual surface temperature in [C]

Da very high level of protection

Db high level of protection
Dc normal level of protection

ta
protection by
tb
enclosures
tc
ia
ib intrinsic safety
ic
ma
encapsulation
mb
mc
p pressurized
enclosures

nA
nC type of protection n
nR (zone 2)
(nL)
o oil immersion
op pr optical
op sh radiation
op is
px
py pressurized enclosures
pz
q powder filling

Marking Code

Ex d

Ex e

Ex i

Ex m

Ex nA

Ex nC

Ex nR

Ex nL

Ex o

Ex op

Ex p

Ex q

Ex t

Protection Principle

Transmission of an
explosion to the
outside is excluded.

Prevention of sparks
and high temperatures.

Energy limitation of
sparks and temperatures.

Ex atmosphere is isolated
from the source of ignition.

Non-sparking device

Enclosed break device

Restricted breathing
enclosure

Energy-limited apparatus
(replaced by Ex ic)

Ex atmosphere is isolated
from the source of ignition.

Optical transmission is
limited or avoided or shut off.

Ex atmosphere is isolated
from the source of ignition.

Transmission of an explosion
to the outside is excluded.

Ex atmosphere is isolated
from ignition source

2
Gb

2
Gb

1, 2 or 3
Ga, Gb or Gc
Da, Db or Dc

1, 2 or 3
Ga, Gb or Gc
Da, Db or Dc

3
Gc

3
Gc

3
Gc

3
Gc

2
Gb

1, 2 or 3
Ga, Gb or Gc

2 or 3
Gb or Gc
Db or Dc

2
Gb

1,2 or 3
Da, Db or Dc

Category and EPL

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Subject to modifications Copyright Pepperl+Fuchs Printed in Germany Part No. 205620 10/12 01

Directive 94/9/EC

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