Eexd Iic T6: Hazardous Location Rating Systems For Interlock Switches

Process Safeguarding The Safety Library
Hazardous Location Rating Systems for Interlock Switches
he Omron STI Hazardous Location Rated Safety Interlock

Switches presented in this
catalog are classified by the European
standard as Ex, ExdIIc T6. A sealed contact block makes these interlock switches
suitable for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2
environments, which are typical of those
found in the chemical and petrochemical
industries. The tables that follow explain
and compare the European method
with the U.S. method of classification of
Explosion Proof products. The European
classification of E ExdIIc T6 is explained
as follows:
E Ex indicates they meet the European

safety standards of EN 60079-0 and EN
60079-1 and BS5501 parts I-V.
d suffix indicates that the explosion
proof enclosure of the contact block is
designed to contain an internal explosion and will not ignite a surrounding
flammable atmosphere.
llc refers to the group of gases for
which the switches are suitable. Group
II gases are sub-divided into three
categories by the suffix a, b, or c. Suffix
c gases are the most flammable within
Group II and include gases such as
hydrogen. Special precautions may be
required to protect the vulnerable parts
Explanation of Marking of EX Equipment

for European Market
Ex = equipment corresponds to a type of
protection covered by British or Baseefa
Standards (e.g. BS 4683, SFA 3009)
EEx = equipment corresponds to a type of
protection covered by specific European
Standards (e.g. EN 60079-1)
example
Type of protection used

o = oil immersion
p = pressurized apparatus
q = powder filing
d = flameproof enclosure
e = increased safety
i = intrinsic safety (ia or ib)
m = encapsulation
s = special protection
Covered by Standard
EN 50015
EN 50016
EN 50017
EN 50018
EN 50019
EN 50020
EN 50021
BASEEFA SFA 3009
of the switch from corrosion, such as

PVC covered cables against attack by
certain corrosive elements and physical
damage.
The T designation represents the
surface temperature classification of the
switch and is divided into categories
with the suffix 1 to 6. T6 is the lowest temperature and thus the safest
classification with a maximum permitted
surface temperature of 85C (providing
that the electric loading of the switch
does not exceed its stated current rating). These switches have been tested
with an ambient temperature of 60C as
opposed to the normal test limit of only
40C, allowing them to be used in gases
having a low flash point.
Switches classified as E Exdllc T6 (All
Omron STI Ex switches) are not suitable
for use in atmospheres containing
Group I gases, e.g. methane (firedamp).
Please note that these switches
DO NOT meet all conditions of the US
classification of Class I, Div 1 due to the
differences between European and US
classification methods. See the table on
the following page, (Figure 7.2).
EEx d IIC T6
Subdivisions A, B & C are based on classification of

Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) and
Minimum Ignition Currents (MIC) - For more
information refer to EN 50014: 1992 Annex A.
Usage / gas group

Group Usage place
I =
Mines
IIA = Surface
IIB = Surface
IIC = Surface
Representative gas
Methane
Propane
Ethylene, Propane
Hydrogen, Ethylene,Propane
Classification of maximum surface temperature

T1 = 450C
The maximum surface temperature must
T2 = 300C
be less than the lowest ignition
T3 = 200C
temperature of the explosive atmosphere.
T4 = 135C
T5 = 100C
T6 = 85C
Fig. 7.1
Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc.

USA Tel. 1/888/510-4357 Canada Tel. 1/866/986-6766
For the Latest Information

On the Internet: www.sti.com
A81
A
hazardous location Rating Systems For Interlock Switches
Classifications of
Hazardous Locations
Gas Groups
Marking Temperatures
Explosive
Continuous
Atmosphere
Presence

IEC
Zone 0 (gas)
(International)
Zone 20 (dust)
France (19.12.88)
Zone 0 (gas)
and Europe
Canada (CEC)
CI. I Div. 1 (gas)
and USA (NEC)
CI. II Div. 1 (dust)

CI. III Div. 1 (fibers)
Intermittent
Presence
(normal operating
conditions)
Zone 1 (gas)
Zone 21 (dust)
Zone 1 (gas)
Occasional
Presence
(abnormal operating
conditions)
Zone 2 (gas)
Zone 22 (dust)
Zone 2 (gas)
CI. I Div. 1 (gas)

CI. I Div. 2 (gas)

Place of Use

Mines with firedamp
Surface industries

Group
CENELEC/IEC
l
IIA
IIB
IIC
IIC
Class & Group

Canada & USA
Gaseous Mines
I-D
I-C
I-B
I-A
Representative
Gas
Methane
Propane
Ethylene
Hydrogen
Acetylene
T1
T6
T2
T3
T4
450C
85C
300C
200C
135C
Temperature Class
(CENELEC/IEC)
T5
Group ll
Maximum Surface
100C
Temperature

Fig. 7.2
A82

The maximum surface temperature of equipment must always

be lower than the ignition temperature of the gas present in the
hazardous area.

A
Hazardous (Classified) Locations NEC Article 500
Class I
Combustible material in the
form of gas or vapor.
500-5
Division 1
Division 2
(1) in which hazardous concentrations of flammable gases or vapors
(1) in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are
exist continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating
handled, processed, or used, but in which the hazardous liquids,
conditions.
vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or
(2) in which ignitable concentrations of such gases or vapors may exist
closed systems from which they can escape only in case of accidental
frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or because of
rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or in the case of
leakage.
abnormal operation of equipment.
(3) in which breakdown or faulty operation of flammable gases or
(2) in which ignitable concentrations of gases or vapors are normally
vapors, might also cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment.
prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, but which might
500-5 (A)
become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation of the

ventilating equipment
(3) that are adjacent to Class I, Division 1 locations, and to which
ignitable concentrations of gases or vapors might occasionally be
communicated unless such communication is prevented by adequate
positive-pressure ventilation safeguards against ventilation failure are
provided.
500-5(B)
Group A Atmospheres containing acetylene
500-3 FPN #5
Group B Atmospheres containing hydrogen, gases or vapors of equivalent hazard, such as manufactured gas.
500-3 FPN #6
Group C Atmospheres containing ethyl ether vapors, ethylene, or cyclopropane.
500-3 FPN #7
Group D Atmospheres containing gasoline, hexane, naphtha, benzine, butane, propane, alcohol, acetone,
500-3 FPN #8
benzol, lacquer, solvent vapors, or natural gas.
Group E Atmospheres containing metal dust, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys,
and other metals of similar hazardous characteristics.
500-3 FPN #17
Group F Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal, or coke dust.
500-3 FPN #14
Group G Atmospheres containing flour starch or grain dusts.
500-3 FPN #15
Fig. 7.3


A83
A
Hazardous (Classified) Locations european standard
Gases
Combustible material in the
form of gas or vapor.
US Class I
Zone O
Zone 1
Zone 2
An area in which ignitable concentrations
of flammable gases or vapors are present
of flammable gases or vapors are likely to
of flammable gases or vapors are not likely
continuously or present for long periods of
exist under normal operating conditions, or
to occur in normal operation; but if they do,
US Div. 1
time.
US Div. 1
because of leakage.
only for short periods.
US Div. 2
Group IIC Atmospheres containing acetylene
US Group A
Group IIC Atmospheres containing hydrogen, gases or vapors of equivalent hazard, such as manufactured gas.
US Group B
Group IIB Atmospheres containing ethyl ether vapors, ethylene, or cyclopropane.
US Group C
Group IIA Atmospheres containing gasoline, hexane, naphtha, benzine, butane, propane, alcohol, acetone,
US Group D
benzol, lacquer, solvent vapors, or natural gas.
In Prep
Atmospheres containing metal dust, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys,
and other metals of similar hazardous characteristics.
US Group E
In Prep
Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal, or coke dust.
US Group F
In Prep
Atmospheres containing flour starch or grain dusts.
US Group G
Fig. 7.1
A84



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Process Safeguarding The Safety Library

Hazardous Location Rating Systems for Interlock Switches

he Omron STI Hazardous Location Rated Safety Interlock

E Ex indicates they meet the European

Explanation of Marking of EX Equipment

Type of protection used

of the switch from corrosion, such as

Subdivisions A, B & C are based on classification of

Usage / gas group

Classification of maximum surface temperature

Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc.

For the Latest Information

Process Safeguarding The Safety Library

CI. I Div. 1 (gas)

CI. I Div. 2 (gas)

Class & Group

Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc.

The maximum surface temperature of equipment must always

For the Latest Information

Process Safeguarding The Safety Library

(1) in which hazardous concentrations of flammable gases or vapors

(1) in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are

exist continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating

handled, processed, or used, but in which the hazardous liquids,

vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or

(2) in which ignitable concentrations of such gases or vapors may exist

frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or because of

rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or in the case of

abnormal operation of equipment.

(3) in which breakdown or faulty operation of flammable gases or

(2) in which ignitable concentrations of gases or vapors are normally

vapors, might also cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment.

prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, but which might

become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation of the

Group A Atmospheres containing acetylene

Group C Atmospheres containing ethyl ether vapors, ethylene, or cyclopropane.

benzol, lacquer, solvent vapors, or natural gas.

500-3 FPN #17

Group F Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal, or coke dust.

500-3 FPN #14

Group G Atmospheres containing flour starch or grain dusts.

500-3 FPN #15

Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc.

For the Latest Information

Process Safeguarding The Safety Library

An area in which ignitable concentrations

An area in which ignitable concentrations

An area in which ignitable concentrations

of flammable gases or vapors are present

of flammable gases or vapors are likely to

of flammable gases or vapors are not likely

continuously or present for long periods of

exist under normal operating conditions, or

to occur in normal operation; but if they do,

only for short periods.

Group IIC Atmospheres containing acetylene

Group IIB Atmospheres containing ethyl ether vapors, ethylene, or cyclopropane.

benzol, lacquer, solvent vapors, or natural gas.

and other metals of similar hazardous characteristics.

Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal, or coke dust.

Atmospheres containing flour starch or grain dusts.

Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc.

For the Latest Information