What are Ex equipment’s?

Ex equipment is specially designed and tested explosion-proof electrical equipment for your applications developed in hazardous location, designed to reliably prevent contact between an explosive atmosphere and ignition sources and thus preclude explosions.

More precisely, In India, according to PESO Rule 102 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 lays down that no electrical wiring shall be installed and no electrical apparatus shall be used in Petroleum Refinery, storage installation, storage shed, service station or any other place where petroleum is refined, blended, stored, loaded/filled or unloaded unless it is approved by the Chief Controller of Explosives. It is in this context that electrical equipment which has to be used in an Hazardous area covered under Petroleum Rules, 2002 shall require approval from the Chief Controller of Explosives.

Zones classification and Ex equipment protection level(EPL):

Zone 0/zone 20 : That part of a hazardous area in which a flammable atmosphere is continually present or present for long periods.(1000 Hrs)

Zone 1 / zone 21 : That part of a hazardous area in which a flammable atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation.(10-1000 Hrs)

Zone 2/ zone 22 : That part of a hazardous area in which a flammable atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation and, if it occurs, will exist for a short period(1-10 Hrs)

Our Testing facility for Ex equipment’s:

ITC Pvt. Ltd. has developed testing facility for Ex electrical and non-electrical equipment in accordance with EN harmonized standards as well IEC/IS standards, some of which are given below:

1. EN/IEC/IS 60079-0 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements

EN/IEC/IS 60079-0 provides general requirements for the design, construction, testing, and marking of electrical equipment and components intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres. It sets out principles and provides guidance on the assessment of hazards and risks associated with explosive atmospheres, aiming to prevent the ignition of explosive gases and vapors.

EN 60079-0 (IEC 60079-0) is necessary for every Ex (explosive atmosphere) product because it serves as the foundational standard that sets out general requirements and principles for ensuring the safety of electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres.

However, EN/IEC/IS 60079-0 cannot be used alone as a standalone standard for certification or compliance. Instead, it serves as a foundational document within the broader EN 60079 series, specifically addressing general requirements for electrical equipment used in explosive gas atmospheres.

Type of tests under EN/IEC/EN 60079-0 Standard:

• EN60079-1 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures”d”

The construction standard EN 60079-1 defines flameproof as:
‘An enclosure in which the parts which can ignite an explosive atmosphere are placed and which can withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture, and which prevents the transmission of the explosion to the explosive atmosphere surrounding the enclosure’.
It has a wide range of applications, typically junction boxes, lighting fittings, electric motors, cable glands, switchgears etc.

Zone of Use:zone 1,zone 2, zone 21, zone 22 Suitable Gas Groups: IIC, IIB & IIA

Note: Can be used in zone 0 and zone 20 for catalytic sensors of portable gas detectors.

Type of tests:

• EN60079-7 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety “e”

Definition
‘A protection method in which increased measures are taken to prevent the possibility of excessive HEAT, ARCS or SPARKS occurring on internal or external parts of the apparatus in normal operation’.

EN 60079-7 defines the requirements for increased safety (Ex e) electrical equipment, ensuring that such equipment is designed and tested to prevent ignition in explosive atmospheres through robust design features and rigorous testing procedures. Manufacturers must adhere to these requirements to ensure the safety and reliability of their products in hazardous environments.

Zone of Use: 1 & 2
Ambient Temperatures:
Increased Safety enclosures are normally designed for use in ambient temperatures in the range -20 °C to +40 °C unless otherwise marked.
Equipment that normally causes sparks is excluded from use within this method of explosion protection.

• EN60079-11: Explosive atmospheres – Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety ”i”

Intrinsic Safety is a widely used method of explosion protection. It is used for very low power applications only, and typical examples are control and instrumentation circuits.

Definition
‘A type of protection based on the restriction of electrical energy within apparatus and of interconnecting wiring exposed to the potentially explosive atmosphere to a level below that which can cause ignition by either sparking or heating effects.
Zones of use:
0, 1 & 2 (Ex ia) (based on traditional approach)
1 & 2 (Ex ib)
2 (Ex ic)

Type of tests:

• EN80079-36 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 36: Non electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – Basic method and requirements

This part of EN 80079 specifies the basic method and requirements for design, construction, testing and marking of non-electrical Ex equipment, Ex Components, protective systems, devices and assemblies of these products that have their own potential ignition sources and are intended for use in explosive atmosphere

Types of certification we provide:

1. ATEX CERTIFICATION

ATEX certification refers to a set of regulations and directives governing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The term “ATEX” comes from the French phrase “Atmosphères Explosibles” and is derived from the European Union directive 2014/34/EU. It applies to equipment and protective systems intended for use in environments where there is a risk of explosion due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dusts.

To launch the Ex equipment in europian econimic area, ATEX certification is madatory for Ex equipments

ATEX certification procedure map:

2. IECEx CERTIFICATION

IECEx certification, short for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres, is a global certification system for electrical and non-electrical equipment intended for use in hazardous areas where the risk of explosion is present due to flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or combustible dusts.

This certification system ensures that equipment complies with international standards for safety in explosive atmospheres, promoting uniformity and facilitating trade across different countries and regions. The IECEx scheme covers various aspects of equipment design, construction, testing, and performance to mitigate the risk of ignition and ensure safe operation in potentially hazardous environments.

3. PESO CERTIFICATION

PESO certification, also known as Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization certification, is a regulatory requirement in India for ensuring the safety and quality of equipment and materials used in hazardous industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, explosives manufacturing, and mining. PESO is an organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The PESO certification process involves evaluating equipment and materials to ensure compliance with relevant Indian standards and regulations related to safety, quality, and performance.

Please check below link to see requirements for PESO approval of Ex equipment:

https://peso.gov.in/web/updates/procedure-approval-ex-electrical-equipment

Who can avail Certification:

Cable glands, Automatic Lubricator, Electric Pumps, Motors, Fans, Blowers, Mechanical Brakes, Gears, Valves, HVAC, Chillers, Storage Cabinets, Junction Boxes, Empty Panels, Plugs & Socket Outlets, Flame Arrests, Spark Arresters, Transmitter ,Thermocouples, RTD’s, load cells Barrier/Electronic, Machines, and Non Electrical Assembly are among the items that manufacturers and exporters can certify for ATEX compliance.