Powder-Filled ‘q’

POWDER FILLED TYPE “q” PROTECTION. [ q ]

This protection technique is governed by IEC 60079-5

EPL associated with [ q ] = Gb or Mb

This standard applies to :-

Electrical Equipment
Parts of Electrical Equipment
Ex Components

with

A rated supply current of less than or equal to 16 amps
Rated supply voltage of less than or equal to 1000 Volts
rated power consumption of less than or equal to 1000 Watts

Powder filling originated in France as a concept in 1954, but it was not generally recognized as an Ex Protection concept until the publication of IEC Standard 60079-5 in 1967. This protection method is typically used only for small transformers, capacitors and on electrical components that have no moving parts. The protection consists of a sealed enclosure (normally with a vent) containing quartz sand (the origin of the “q” description), powder or glass beads.

Electrical equipment and Ex components protected by powder filling “q” may contain :

electronic circuits
transformers
protection fuses
relays
intrinsically safe electrical apparatus,
associated electrical apparatus

The Technique/Construction

Example : Electronic Ballast for Hazardous Area Fluorescent Fixture (Type Ex ed)

Another Example , 100 Watts Power Supply in Aluminum Enclosure with non-metallic Ex e Cable Glands for external connections through cables.

(Protection : Ex eq)

The Filling Material

Filling material is Solid quartz or Solid Glass Particles. Filled completely.