Dos & Don’t s of Hazardous Area

Dos & Don’t s of Hazardous Area Protection

Hazardous Area Protection (HAP) is a multidimensional Process. Each , apparently, independent parameter is in fact closely related to the others .

The domain of this article is limited to the SUPPLIERS’ VIEW . ( The sellers, the down stream located , stake holders )

The BASIC PHILOSOPHY IS “SAFE SALE “

(More about SAFE SALE later..)

The first “DO”

Do get enrolled with your manufacturer. Get an official certificate and a reference/link on the manufacturer’s web page.

This will open doors to all sorts of information & support which will enhance your image and generate confidence in your own clients.

2nd “DO”

Do get special training /education on Hazardous Areas Protection , Standards and industrial norms. Get as much training (Ex Training ) as possible . Contact the Ex-Perts (The Masters with IECEx Certificate of Personal Competence )

(Tip: Your manufacturer can arrange for this , free of cost , most of the time. If not professional type, even a product based orientation by the manufacturer will do…for a start)

3rd “DO”

Thoroughly go-through your Product Catalog ‘s hard copy. READ your Catalog word by word ……..at least once ….from the first page to the last one.

Check if your company’s name is there in the catalog. Make a note if it is not there …yet. Contemplate this point.

4th “DO”

Study thoroughly your product profile of Ex e & Ex d components. Remind yourself that empty Ex d enclosures are not to be sold without giving a complete guidelines to the customers.

Explain in details the U certificate of Empty Ex d Enclosures

This is part of the “SAFE SALE”

Sale of Standardized & Fortifies Electrical Equipment

5Th “DO” (A special DO for the “would-be-Expert”)

Make friends with :-

IEC

NEC

ATEX

exclusively with IEC 60079, NEC 500 , 505 & 506 , ATEX Directives 94/9/EC Equipment Directive (updated as 2014/34/EU ) & 1999/92/EC .

Check your Local Hazardous Area Standards for compatibility with IEC. Chances are that all local hazardous area standards would be an adoption of, or based upon IEC 60079 series .

Most Important “DO”

Make “SAFE SALES”

Part of Safe sale strategy is to fully understand the Equipment Protection Level requirement of the end-user. Remember a mismatched EPL can initiate a disaster with tragic ending.

Understand the difference between an Industrial Component/equipment & an Ex certified one.

Each & every Ex certified Components/equipment is performing the triple tasks of :

Electrical Performance as per electrical parameters
Keeping the IP rating intact
Hazardous Area SAFETY through its built-in safety parameters (EPL)

(The Three types of STRESSES acting on an enclosure)

You can add you own ‘DOs’ based upon your experience and knowledge.

Now …..some DON’T S

Don’t sell empty Ex d Enclosures with ‘U’ certificates
Don’t mix NEC 500 complied equipment with IEC Ex . Result is confusion with dangerous consequences.

3. DON’T equalize DIVISION 1 with ZONE 1 . Keep NEC 500 totally clear of IEC Ex for clarity

4. Do not try to install a WEATHERPROOF electrical equipment in ZONE 2 . Although both equipment may look alike as far as construction is concerned. Don’t get carried away by the :

Thick rubber gaskets and O rings
Quantity of nuts & bolts
Aluminum enclosure & IP 66 Cable Glands

Good quality weatherproof equipment have them all. Weatherproof equipment comply with IEC 60529 and the extent of the effectiveness of this parameter is indicated by the IP index ( for example IP66) .

Whereas, for hazardous area installations, the equipment has to comply with IEC 60529 AND IEC 60079 series of standards

Consider the process of certification of A ELECTRIC MOTOR.

In addition to the mechanical & other industrial standards , the motor has to comply with IEC 60529 for WEATHERPROOF certification.

However for Hazardous Area Certification , the same motor has to comply with the existing industrial standards

and

IEC 60529 (Weatherproof)

and

IEC 60079 Series of standards (Hazardous Area )