LED Explosion Proof Lighting Class 1 Division 1 fixtures and LED Hazardous Location Lighting Class I, Division 2 fixtures for use in outdoor or indoor applications. Explosion proof defined: a term frequently encountered when looking for industrial lighting fixtures for hazardous areas. This term is usually seen when describing Class I Division 1 equipment or EX equipment.
What is Ex equipment?
“Hazardous Locations”, “Hazardous Areas” “Explosive Atmospheres”, these terms describe areas where flammable liquids, vapors, gases or combustible dusts are likely to occur in quantities sufficient to cause a fire or explosion. For example, Refinery factory, Oil and gasoline loading docks, Gas stations, Painting manufacture workshop, Pumping stations, Metal Smelting Plant, Mining, Ocean platform, Aerospace, Chemical plant, Vessels, Military, Flour Mill, Distilleries, Power station, Other high humidity, high temperature, dusty locations. As the automation industry of today continues to expand, we will see an increased use of explosion proof equipment
There are basically two requirements for components to be considered explosion proof for Class I Division 1 atmospheres. First, the industrial lighting fixture must be able to withstand an internal explosion if it should occur and secondly, it must work to prevent the spread of the internal explosion to the surrounding saturated atmosphere. This is typically accomplished by joints and closures built into the actual lighting fixture. The lighting fixtures themselves may be damaged, but they are designed so as not to allow the explosion or other possible sources of ignition to reach the hazardous atmosphere. See LED explosion proof flood lighting
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Note: All the explosion proof and hazardous location lighting fixtures feature; L70 Rated life of 100,000+ hours; 5-year manufacturer’s warranty; ETL certified, meets UL and CSA standards;
Class I Hazardous Locations Lighting Fixtures
Class I hazardous locations lighting fixtures are housed in enclosures designed to contain any explosion that might occur if hazardous vapors were to enter the area and ignite. These lighting fixtures are also designed to cool and vent the products of this explosion as to prevent the surrounding environment from exploding. The lighting fixtures used in Class I hazardous locations must be able to contain an explosion as well as maintain a surface temperature lower than the ignition temperature of the surrounding hazardous atmosphere.
Class II Hazardous Locations Lighting Fixtures
Class II hazardous locations lighting fixtures are designed to seal out dust. The lighting fixtures are not intended to contain an internal explosion, but rather to eliminate the source of ignition so no explosion can occur within the enclosure. These enclosures are also tested to make sure they do not overheat when totally covered with dust, lint or filings.
SUMMARY OF CLASS I, II, II HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS |
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CLASSES |
GROUP |
DIVISIONS |
|
1 |
2 |
||
I Gasses, Vapors and Liquids (Art. 501) |
A. Acetylene |
Normally explosive and hazardous. |
Not normally present in an explosive concentration (but may accidentally exist). |
II Dusts (Art. 502) |
E. Metal Dusts (conductive* and explosive) |
Ignitable quantities of dust that is normally or may be, in suspension or conductive dust may be present. |
Dust not normally suspended in an ignitable concentration (but may accidentally exist). Dust layers are present. |
III Fibers and Filings (Art. 503) |
Textiles, Woodworking, etc. (easily ignitable, but not likely to be explosive) |
Handled or used in manufacturing. |
Stored or handled in storage (exclusive of manufacturing). |
*NOTE: Electrically conductive dusts are dusts with a resistivity less than 105 OHM-centimeter. |
Class I
Hazardous locations or areas where flammable gases or vapors are/could become present in concentrations suitable to produce explosive and/or ignitable mixtures. Class I locations are further divided into 2 divisions:
Class I, Division 1: There are three different situations that could exist to classify an area as a Class I, Division 1 location.
- When the atmosphere of an area or location is expected to contain explosive mixtures of gases, vapors, or liquids during normal working operations. (This is the most common Class I, Div. 1)
- An area where ignitable concentrations frequently exist because of repair or maintenance operations.
- The release of ignitable concentrations of gases or vapors due to equipment breakdown, while at the same time causing electrical equipment failure.
Class I, Division 2: One of the following three situations must exist in order for an area to be considered a Class I, Division 2 location.
- An area where flammable liquids and gases are handled, but not expected to be in explosive concentrations. However, the possibility for these concentrations to exist might occur if there was an accidental rupture or other unexpected incident.
- An area where ignitable gases or vapors are normally prevented from accumulating by positive mechanical ventilation, yet could exist in ignitable quantities if there was a failure in the ventilation systems.
- Areas adjacent to Class I, Division 1 locations where it is possible for ignitable concentrations of gas/vapors to come into this area because there isn’t proper ventilation.
Class II
Class II hazardous locations are areas where combustible dust, rather than gases or liquids, may be present in varying hazardous concentrations.
Class II, Division 1: The following situations could exist, making an area become a Class II, Division 1 locations:
- Where combustible dust is present in the air under normal operating conditions in such a quantity as to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures. This could be on a continuous, intermittent, or periodic basis.
- Where an ignitable and/or explosive mixture could be produced if a mechanical failure or abnormal machinery operation occurs.
- Where electrically conductive dusts in hazardous concentrations are present.
Class II, Division 2: Class II, Division 2 locations exist in response to one of the following conditions:
- Where combustible dust is present but not normally in the air in concentrations high enough to be explosive or ignitable.
- If dust becomes suspended in the air due to equipment malfunctions and if dust accumulation may become ignitable by abnormal operation or failure of electronic equipment.
Sources: 29 CFR 1910.307 – Hazardous (classified) Locations.
UL 1203 – Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment.
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